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Have you ever been to an onsen (hot spring)? An onsen is a large bath shared by many people, and they are an important part of Japanese culture. In Japan, popular resort areas often spring up around onsen. These baths come in two styles: indoor onsen, which are more common, or outdoor onsen, which are called rotenburo. The natural bathwater has many minerals that are good for our bodies, so people visit them both for their health and to enjoy the warm water.
This article is going to introduce onsen, one of the best ways to enjoy your summer vacation in Japan.
Atami Onsen
You may have heard of Atami before. It is one of the most famous onsen resorts in Japan. Atami is a city located on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka. It is said that the first Tokugawa shogun loved Atami Onsen. There are many onsen hotels along the beaches. You can enjoy beach life during the day and relax in a great onsen at night. Fireworks are often fired from the beachside, especially during the summer. If you go to Atami in the summer, you can enjoy onsen, the beach, and fireworks all in the same place.
Beppu Onsen
The area is surrounded by volcanoes and an area for sightseeing called “Beppu Jigoku.” Beppu Jigoku means Beppu Hell, a name it received because it has boiling hot ponds and springs that look a lot like what people imagine when they think of hell. It takes a long time to get to Oita from Tokyo, so it’s best to visit during the summer when travel is easiest.
Kusatsu Onsen
Gunma Prefecture, which is in northern Kanto, is the home of Kusatsu Onsen. This onsen is 1200 meters above sea level, and it has retained the feeling of an old Japanese onsen town. If it’s summer, wearing a yukata is a great way to participate in the traditional atmosphere.
The accomodations in this town include ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), resort hotels, western-style boarding houses, and private residences. You can find the perfect place to stay based on your needs. If you are staying or living around Tokyo or the Kanto area, this is a great place for a short trip.
Kinugawa Onsen
Kinugawa Onsen is in Tochigi prefecture. They say these hot springs were discovered during the Edo Period (1603-1868), and at that time only highly-ranking people or priests could enjoy the onsen here. Now it’s a popular onsen spot with many hotels. Around the onsen are many sightseeing spots such as Nikko Toshogu, Tobu World Square, Nikko Edo Mura, and more. The water is alkaline, which helps ease neurological pains. Like Kusatsu Onsen, it is relatively easy for those who are in the Kanto area to get to Kinugawa Onsen.
Hakone Yumoto Onsen
Kanagawa prefecture, which is next to Tokyo, owns this onsen spot. Because of the location, it’s possible to get there from Tokyo in only 75 minutes by Romance car, which is a type of special train. The onsen has a long history, spanning from 738 CE, and it contains many spring sources. You can enjoy the onsen for just a single day or stay there for a short trip. There are also traditional buildings, temples, and beautiful nature spots to visit. When you are hungry after enjoying sightseeing and onsen, try this town’s famous soba (buckwheat noodles).