What are the Three Most Famous Hot Springs in Japan and the Three Oldest Hot Springs in Japan? A guide to the best hot springs in Japan

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The quality of the springs is guaranteed! What are the "Three Great Hot Springs of Japan"?

There are three top-class hot springs in Japan known as the "Three Famous Hot Springs of Japan."

The origin of this name dates back to the Muromachi period, when the poet and monk Banri Shuku, who was at Kyoto's Gozan Shokokuji Temple, wrote in a collection of poems that Arima Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture), Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture), and Gero Onsen (Gifu Prefecture) were the "Three Famous Hot Springs."

During the Edo period, the Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan, who served the Tokugawa Shogunate, introduced it in a Chinese poem, naming it one of the "Three Most Famous Springs in Japan," and it is said that this is how it became known throughout Japan.

By the way, "Arima Onsen" is not only one of the "Three Famous Hot Springs of Japan" named by Hayashi Razan, but also appears as one of the "Three Famous Hot Springs" in Sei Shonagon's "The Pillow Book". Also, according to the hot spring rankings of the Edo period, it was ranked as "West Ozeki", the highest rank at that time. From these episodes, you can see why "Arima Onsen" is called a famous hot spring.

During the Edo period, if the famous hot spring in the west was "Arima Onsen," the big hot spring in the east was "Kusatsu Onsen," which has been very popular since ancient times. There are various theories about when the hot springs first opened, but it is generally believed to have been around 1,800 years ago.

The stone fence at the tourist spot "Yubata" is engraved with the names of famous people who have visited Kusatsu. All of them are great people who represent Japan. Starting with Emperor Yamato Takeru, many famous people have visited Kusatsu, from retainers of Nobunaga and Hideyoshi, to writers and actors.

Gero Onsen is an ancient hot spring that gushed forth 1,000 years ago near the summit of Mt. Yugamine in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture. Even today, the remains of a hot spring jar remain near the summit. Currently, Gero's hot springs are centrally managed in one place, and are supplied to each inn at a regulated temperature of 55°C. As a result, the temperature is generally on the higher side no matter where you go. This is perfect for people who love hot water.

Arima Hot Springs

Kusatsu Hot Springs

Gero Hot Springs

"Japan's Three Oldest Springs" where time seems to melt into one another

In addition to the "Three Famous Springs of Japan," hot springs with a long history are also called the "Three Ancient Springs of Japan." There are two theories about these "Three Ancient Springs of Japan."

The first are Dogo Onsen (Ehime Prefecture), Arima Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture), and Shirahama Onsen (Wakayama Prefecture), which are mentioned in the Nara period's Fudoki and Japan's oldest official history, the Nihon Shoki.

The second is the three hot springs that appear in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, written during the Heian period: Dogo Onsen (Ehime Prefecture), Arima Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture), and Iwaki Yumoto Onsen (Fukushima Prefecture).

Although the names of the people who selected either of these are unknown, we can see from the long history that has been passed down that these hot springs were renowned for their therapeutic properties.

Dogo Onsen, said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan, has three baths: Dogo Onsen Main Building, Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka no Yu, and Tsubaki no Yu, each of which offers a different atmosphere.

Wakayama's Shirahama Onsen has a history of over 1,300 years, and is said to have been the bathing spot of many members of the imperial family and aristocrats. As the name "Shirahama" suggests, the hot spring's appeal lies in the white sand and clear blue sea. It's only about a 10-minute drive from Nanki Shirahama Airport, so it's a great place to stop by before or after your trip.

Iwaki Yumoto Onsen is a hidden hot spring in Fukushima Prefecture that boasts over 1600 years of history. With an abundant amount of hot water of 5 tons per minute, it is surprising that there is even a hand bath and foot bath on the platform of JR Yumoto Station! It is also unique in that it has a rehabilitation facility exclusively for horses, which is used as a hot spring treatment for active race horses.

Dogo Onsen

Shirahama Hot Springs

Iwaki Yumoto Onsen

A hot spring writer's pick! 3 hidden gems for "beauty-skin-boosting hot springs"

Now, let's change the topic and introduce some hot spring resorts recommended by a hot spring writer.

Have you ever come across a spot advertising "beauty baths" or "rejuvenating baths" while traveling? There are as many spots like this all over Japan as there are stars in the sky, but hot spring sommeliers have determined the "three major beauty spring qualities," and it is said that the standards are that the spring quality must be one of the following: "sulfur springs," "bicarbonate springs," or "sulfate springs."

Here, we have selected three unique "beauty skin baths" that are not major hot springs, but are truly hidden gems! Please try soaking in these deep hot springs and refining your skin.

Tohoku's Atami "Asamu Onsen" (Aomori Prefecture)

The first is Asamushi Onsen in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, which was discovered during the Heian Period. It is easily accessible, about 30 minutes by car from Aomori city, and is a major hot spring resort highly regarded as the "Atami of Tohoku."

Another charm of Asamushi Onsen is that the atmosphere changes completely between the east and west sides. The west side has an open townscape with the sea right in front of you, like the West Coast of the United States, while the east side has the atmosphere of a good old hot spring town.

The hot spring water from Asamushi Onsen is distributed to each hot spring inn and bathing facility through a centralized management system.

The quality of the springs varies depending on the source, but the most common type is sulfate springs that contain salt. This type of spring is one of the three major types of springs that are said to be good for beauty, along with bicarbonate springs and sulfur springs. It is expected to have a moisturizing and warming effect as well as a skin-revitalizing effect, so you may even feel a "wrinkle-smoothing" effect.

At Asamushi Onsen, you can also enjoy a simple hot spring with a weak alkaline pH (pH 7.5 or higher). This is also a rejuvenating bath that leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky.

Located just a short walk from Asamushi Onsen Station, Minamibeya Kaisenkaku is a hot spring inn that is full of Aomori flavor, with live Tsugaru shamisen music every night. The inn's pride and joy, the observation bath, is located on the top floor, and you can enjoy a refreshing bath while looking out at the sea and Yunoshima Island.

The spring quality is a colorless, transparent sodium calcium sulfate chloride spring. It contains spring quality (sulfate spring and chloride spring) that has moisturizing and heat-retaining powers, so it is especially recommended for chilly seasons. This hot spring inn kills two birds with one stone, allowing you to get a sense of openness and rejuvenate your skin at the same time.

Asamushi Onsen

Tatsumi Hall

South room, Kaisenkaku

Steam rising from the hellish spout at Unzen Onsen (Nagasaki Prefecture)

The second is Unzen Onsen, which opened in 701. Located at an altitude of 700m at the foot of Mount Unzen, this is Nagasaki's representative hot spring area. If you walk through the hot spring town, you will see Unzen Jigoku, where hot springs and steam gush out! The smell of sulfur wafts from everywhere, and white steam rises in the air.

The source temperature of Unzen Onsen is around 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, with some places reaching nearly 100 degrees Celsius, and it is said that there are around 30 hells.

The main spring in Unzen is sulfur spring, one of the three major spring qualities that are said to be good for beauty. However, at the hot spring inn "Kai Unzen" operated by Hoshino Resorts, you can enjoy a simple hot spring, which is rare even in Unzen.

You can go on a hot spring hopping tour and enjoy the different spring qualities, or you can take a relaxing bath in the one and only open-air bath with a room right in front of you, hell! It's the perfect base for your trip to Unzen Onsen.

Among the "Unzen Onsen", the most popular hot spring for day trip bathing is "Kojigoku Onsenkan". This is the hot spring that hot spring enthusiasts long for, coming from all over the country. For just 500 yen, you can enjoy the free-flowing water that has been gushing forth since the Edo period.

Unzen Hot Springs

World Unzen

Kojigoku Onsenkan

Nagayu Onsen, a natural fizzy carbonated spring (Oita Prefecture)

The third is "Nagayu Onsen" in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, where you can enjoy the precious, fizzing bicarbonate spring water, which accounts for less than 1% of all hot springs in Japan, a hot spring powerhouse. The spring quality is magnesium sodium bicarbonate (one of the three great beauty springs). "Hot Tub," a bath additive that recreates the water of Nagayu Onsen, is a big hit item that is used by celebrities.

A recommended spot in Nagayu Onsen is Kuapark Nagayu, which is open for both day trips and overnight stays. This is a hot spring facility designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban. After renting a swimsuit for 200 yen, be sure to enjoy the mixed-gender heated pool. Inside the facility, there is a 50-meter-long walking bath and an open-air bath overlooking the river, so you can enjoy touring the various baths with a light sense of exercise.

Furthermore, if you stay overnight, you can see the crunchy hot spring deposits (crystallized hot spring ingredients) first thing in the morning, which is unique to "Quapark Nagayu." This hot spring contains plenty of the natural moisturizing ingredient "metasilicic acid," allowing you to soak in the blissful hot spring water.

The water quality at "Kurpark Nagayu" is "hypotonic hot spring," which means you won't get a cold even if you soak in it for a long time. Take your time and enjoy this rare hot spring.

Nagayu Onsen

Kurpark Nagayu

A hot spring writer's pick! 3 delicious hot spring areas with great gourmet specialties

Everyone has their own way of enjoying hot springs. Of course, the hot springs are an important part of the experience, but for people who are passionate about food, discovering delicious local cuisine while traveling is the best thing of all!

When I go to hot springs, I leave my stomach wide open and search for delicious food. Among them, the three I recommend are Kaga Onsenkyo, Sanage Onsen, and Nagato Yumoto Onsen. If you want to enjoy both hot springs and food, be sure to check out this article.

Revitalizing the town with crab and parfaits! Kaga Onsenkyo (Ishikawa Prefecture)

Kaga Onsenkyo is a collective name for the four hot springs: Awazu Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen, Yamashiro Onsen, and Yamanaka Onsen. The local delicacy "Kaga Crab Rice" can be enjoyed in the charming Kaga Onsenkyo.

The "Kaga Crab Rice" is excellent value for money. It uses a whole female "kobako crab" caught in Ishikawa Prefecture, such as at Hashidate Fishing Port, and costs 3,980 yen! The four stores in Kaga City have created unique menus, so it is recommended to enjoy comparing the different dishes.

Along with the "Kaga Crab Rice," there is also a local sweet that can only be enjoyed in Kaga City. That is the "Kaga Parfait" (1,100 yen). It is a gorgeous five-layer parfait that uses locally produced Kaga Kutani vegetables and other ingredients. It is currently offered at three stores in Kaga City, and the contents of the parfait are renewed almost every year, so no matter how many times you visit, there is something different to enjoy.

In addition, in Yamanaka Onsen, the "Yamanaka Onsen Ice Street" where you can try 49 different kinds of ice cream has become popular in recent years. All of them are unique and surprising, such as ice cream made with chili oil and seaweed. There's nothing quite like eating cold ice cream after warming up in the hot springs.

Kaga Hot Springs

Kaga crab rice

Kaga Parfait

Yamanaka Onsen Ice Street

Sanage Onsen (Aichi Prefecture), which also has a hot spring drink spa

Next, we will introduce Sanage Onsen in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, known as the location of Toyota Motor Corporation's headquarters. Located in a lush forest, the hot springs contain natural radon springs (radioactive springs), a special spring quality that only accounts for 7% of all hot springs in Japan.

The Iyashi no Yado Kinsenkaku inn in Sanage Onsen was recently renovated in July 2023. As it is the first "drinkable hot spring" in Aichi Prefecture to receive permission to drink the hot spring water, the inn also has a "hot spring drink spa" where you can drink as much of the precious radon spring water as you like. Surprisingly, all of the water used in cooking is also radon spring water!

Kinsen no Yu, which is available for day trips, offers a wide variety of hot spring gourmet dishes using radon springs. In the summer, you can enjoy shaved ice made from 100% radon spring water, and in the winter, you can enjoy the rare hot spring tofu made with hot spring water.

"Sanage Juwari Soba" is a soba that can be enjoyed all year round, regardless of the season. It is made using hot spring water in all processes, from kneading to boiling to finishing. Because it is made from 100% buckwheat flour, it is highly nutritious, gluten-free, and excellent for health and beauty! It is a delicious and healthy specialty gourmet dish that you will want to eat every day.

Sanage Onsen, a hidden village of happiness

Kinsenkaku, a relaxing inn

Day trip hot spring rock bath Kinsen no Yu

The ever-evolving "Nagato Yumoto Onsen" (Yamaguchi Prefecture)

Nagato Yumoto Onsen is the oldest hot spring area in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Located along the Otozure River, it is also known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. In recent years, the area has started to develop into a town with a future in mind, and the gourmet food you can enjoy after your hot spring bath has been greatly improved. The more you walk, the more new and fascinating the hot spring area becomes.

One of the most recommended spots is Akebono Cafe, which is attached to the hot spring inn Kai Nagato, managed by Hoshino Resorts. Their signature dorayaki is reasonably priced at 300 yen each. In addition to the three standard varieties, they also offer seasonal dorayaki.

In autumn, the "chestnut" flavor is very popular, with a whole chestnut in its skin sandwiched between a mellow chestnut-flavored bean paste. If you're visiting in October or November, be sure to try the unique autumn flavors. By the way, in winter, you can enjoy dorayaki made with sake lees from a sake brewery in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

"Kawarasoba Yanagiya Nagato Yumoto Branch" is a famous restaurant serving "Kawara Soba," a dish that is popular in Yamaguchi Prefecture. As the name suggests, Kawara Soba is made by placing green tea soba noodles and shredded egg on a hot tile, and dipping it in a refreshing lemon-flavored dipping sauce. One bite and you'll be hooked on the different textures of the noodles!

Another reason for its popularity is that it has a stylish atmosphere created by renovating an old house. The food, atmosphere, and location are all perfect.

If you want to enjoy a drink in a stylish space, head straight to "THE BAR NAGATO"!

The second floor of Daigo Nagaya, where Yanagiya, which we introduced earlier, is a cafe during the day, and THE BAR NAGATO, an authentic bar with a mature atmosphere, at night. The bar's owner is Kuroda Daisuke, who has about 30 years of experience as a bartender in Kitashinchi, Osaka. They have a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, including gin that can only be found locally and original cocktails. Raising a glass here is sure to make your nighttime stay at Nagato Yumoto Onsen even more special.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen

Akebono Cafe

Kawara Soba Yanagiya Nagato Yumoto Branch

THE BAR NAGATO

From "Japan's Three Most Famous Hot Springs" and "Japan's Three Oldest Hot Springs" to spots that offer more than just hot springs, hot spring writer Ando introduced us to a wide range of hot spring spots. You can either conquer the famous and popular hot springs, or try a slightly more in-depth hot spring trip than usual. Please visit the hot springs that interest you.

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