Hidden & Iconic Onsen Towns in Japan: From Kusatsu to Quiet Hot Spring Retreats

Japan’s onsen towns range from internationally famous hot spring resorts to secluded villages known only to seasoned travelers. While places like Kusatsu and Kaga Onsen anchor Japan’s bathing culture, many visitors never venture beyond the most recognizable names.

This guide blends iconic onsen towns with lesser-known but deeply atmospheric destinations, offering a balanced view of Japan’s hot spring landscape—ideal for travelers seeking both cultural depth and restorative escapes.

1. Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma)

Best for: First-time onsen travelers & powerful mineral waters

Consistently ranked among Japan’s top hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen is renowned for its highly acidic, therapeutic waters and the dramatic Yubatake (hot water field) at the town’s center. Steam rises continuously from wooden channels, creating one of Japan’s most recognizable onsen scenes.

Despite its popularity, Kusatsu retains a traditional feel—especially in the evenings, when the streets quiet and the baths become more tranquil.

Why it’s special

• Naturally flowing hot spring water with strong mineral content

• Walkable town layout with public baths and traditional streets

• Easy access from Tokyo

Where to Stay in Kusatsu Onsen

• Traditional ryokan near Yubatake

• Inns with private open-air baths

• Accommodations offering seasonal kaiseki meals

2. Kaga Onsen (Ishikawa)

Best for: Refined ryokan culture & regional elegance

Rather than a single town, Kaga Onsen refers to a group of historic hot spring areas—Yamashiro, Yamanaka, Katayamazu, and Awazu—located near Kanazawa. This region has been a retreat for poets, artists, and cultural figures for centuries.

Kaga Onsen is defined by understated sophistication, attentive hospitality, and exceptional local cuisine rooted in Hokuriku traditions.

Why it’s special

• Over 1,300 years of hot spring history

• Close proximity to Kanazawa

• A strong emphasis on traditional ryokan culture

Where to Stay in Kaga Onsen

• Elegant ryokan with refined interiors

• Inns overlooking rivers, mountains, or lakes

• Modern ryokan-style hotels blending tradition and comfort

3. Kinosaki Onsen (Hyogo)

Best for: Classic onsen town atmosphere & bath hopping

With its willow-lined canal and stone bridges, Kinosaki Onsen epitomizes the image many travelers associate with traditional Japan. Guests stroll the town in yukata, moving between seven public baths—each with its own character and history.

Though well known, Kinosaki retains a calm, cohesive atmosphere thanks to thoughtful town planning and a focus on overnight stays.

Why it’s special

• Tattoo-friendly public baths

• Strong sense of place and continuity

• Excellent seasonal seafood, especially winter crab

Where to Stay in Kinosaki Onsen

• Ryokan along the canal

• Traditional inns with access to all public baths

• Accommodations with private onsen options

4. Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto)

Best for: Romantic scenery & immersive village design

Nestled in the mountains of Kyushu, Kurokawa Onsen is celebrated for its cohesive aesthetic. Strict architectural guidelines preserve a timeless atmosphere—wooden buildings, stone paths, and lantern-lit evenings beside a forested river.

Visitors can explore the town’s baths using an onsen-hopping pass, encouraging slow exploration.

Why it’s special

• Outdoor baths surrounded by nature

• Carefully preserved townscape

• Particularly appealing in autumn and winter

Where to Stay in Kurokawa Onsen

• Boutique ryokan with scenic rotenburo

• Traditional inns offering multi-course meals

• Countryside retreats emphasizing tranquility

5. Shima Onsen (Gunma)

Best for: Quiet retreats & nostalgic charm

Often overlooked in favor of nearby Kusatsu, Shima Onsen offers a more subdued experience. The town is known for its clear, mineral-rich waters, retro ryokan, and gentle river scenery.

Shima’s slower pace makes it ideal for travelers seeking reflection and rest.

Why it’s special

• Calm, uncrowded atmosphere

• Strong Showa-era character

• Scenic walks along the river

Where to Stay in Shima Onsen

• Riverside ryokan with traditional interiors

• Smaller inns suited to longer, slower stays

6. Nyuto Onsen (Akita)

Best for: Remote bathing & seasonal beauty

Deep in the mountains of northern Japan, Nyuto Onsen is a cluster of historic hot spring inns scattered across forested slopes. Its milky white sulfur baths are especially striking in winter, when snow blankets the surrounding landscape.

Why it’s special

• Naturally opaque, mineral-rich waters

• Profound sense of isolation and calm

• Stunning seasonal contrasts

Where to Stay in Nyuto Onsen

• Historic ryokan with multiple baths

• Rustic lodges surrounded by wilderness

7. Yunomine Onsen (Wakayama)

Best for: Spiritual heritage & pilgrimage travel

One of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns, Yunomine Onsen has been used for ritual purification for over 1,800 years. Located along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, it remains deeply tied to spiritual practice.

The town is small, quiet, and best appreciated at an unhurried pace.

Why it’s special

• UNESCO World Heritage surroundings

• Historic public bathhouses

• Deep cultural and spiritual significance

Where to Stay in Yunomine Onsen

• Inns catering to Kumano Kodo hikers

• Small ryokan with private bathing options

Experiencing Japan Through Its Onsen Towns

From the iconic steam fields of Kusatsu to the forested stillness of Nyuto, Japan’s onsen towns offer more than hot springs alone. They are places where landscape, tradition, and daily life intersect—best experienced slowly, and ideally overnight.

Whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or returning to explore beyond the familiar, these onsen towns provide a deeply restorative way to connect with the country’s cultural rhythms.