Japanese Onsen Spa Guide

By Shizuko Mishima, About.com Guide

Japanese spa is called onsen. Since Japan is well-known for its many
volcanoes, there are a lot of onsen all over the country. It is very
relaxing to soak in Japanese onsen spas. Japanese people like to spend

holidays in onsen. Open-air spas (roten buro) are very popular and
are wonderful.

There are different kinds of onsen, depending on the amount and
kinds of minerals in the water. (See Kinds of Onsen) Some spas can
be smelly and very hot.

It's good to know how to use Japanese-style bath before you go to
Japanese spas. Japanese spa are usually separated for women and
men. You are supposed to take all your clothes off. People do not wear
bathing suit in Japanese spas.

Top Onsen in Japan
Great Onsen in Japan

Hot Springs in Japan by Region
(Links by Jolsen's, Japanese Guest Houses, and Onsen Mechelin).

1. Hokkaido
Aidomari onsen, Bifuka onsen, Noboribetsu, Rausu onsen

2. Tohoku Region

Akita: Kawarage Ohyudaki onsen

Aomori: Kokanesaki Furofushi onsen

Fukushima: Yonokami onsen

3. Kanto Region

Ibaraki: Gozenyama onsen

Gumma: Ikaho onsen, Kusatsu onsen

Kanagawa: Hakone Yumoto onsen

Saitama: Chichibu onsen

Tochigi: Shiobara onsen

4. Chubu Region

Gifu: Hirayu onsen, Gero onsen

Nagano: Shirahone onsen, Nozawa onsen

Shizuoka: Shuzenji onsen

5. Kinki Region

Kyoto: Kurama onsen

Hyogo: Arima onsen

Wakayama: Kawayu onsen

6. Shikoku Region
Dogo onsen

7. Kyushu Region

Kagoshima: Ibusuki onsen

Oita: Yufuin onsen

http://gojapan.about.com/cs/traditionculture/a/hotsprings.htm