The 14 Best Onsen & Hot Spring Trips in Japan

1.Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 339 reviews · 10 hours · from $53Our pick

Travel from Osaka to Himeji Castle, Koko-en Garden, Arima Onsen, and Mt. Rokko by air-conditioned bus. You get free time at each stop, an optional Japanese lunch, and help from English or Chinese-speaking guides such as Gary, Harry, and Nick.

“Nick is a great guide and made our day enjoyable. He speaks 4 languages and fluently hosted two groups. Himeji castle was amazing and a must see when in the area. Nick took the time to interact and converse personally with each person on the tour. His sense of humour just enhanced the tour. As a family of 4 we highly recommend Nick and his driver and the company. Nick made a good tour great.”

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2.Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · 10 hours · from $57

Travel from Osaka to Nara and Uji by air-conditioned coach with an English, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese-speaking guide. Feed deer, visit Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha, explore matcha-lined Uji, then bathe at Genji no Yu. Guides such as Etta, Ethan, and Lucia are known for lively, helpful commentary.

“Thank you so much for trip. Very good tour guy Liao. He explained very clear and easy to communicated.”

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3.Private Tour to Fuji/Hakone – Onsen, Art, Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 10 hours · from $322Top rated

Spend 10 hours exploring Hakone and Fuji country in a private vehicle with guides such as Elie, Lenny, Evan, and Luca. Expect scenic viewpoints, Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, a tattoo-friendly onsen, local food options, and time for the Open-Air Museum or Pola Museum.

“Loved our personalized Hakone day trip! It was a unique itinerary and the onsen was PERFECT!”

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4.Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo – Onsen, Arts and Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews

Travel by private vehicle from Tokyo with guides such as Elie, Lenny, Evan, Lucas, or Dominik. See Mt. Fuji viewpoints, Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, and a 400-year-old tea house, then choose an onsen and museum. The day is flexible, but lunch, onsen, and museum tickets cost extra.

“Two nice, young foreigner guides(not Japanese) only two years living in Japan accompanied us. They were more than one hour LATE due to traffic (everyday raffic in Tokyo is well known, they should know) I was very excited to see Mt Fuji, this trip vowed to take us to unbeaten roads with less tourists and experience beautiful Hakone. They took us to a view point for Mt Fuji, yes no crowds but Mt Fuji is seen from afar..very far. You woould not feel the grandeur of this iconic mountain viewing it from a great distance! And that was it for the Mt Fuji feature. Lake Ashi was also a view…”

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5.Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Shrine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 72 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Travel from Fukuoka to Mount Aso’s volcanic crater, Kusasenri grassland, Aso Shrine, and Kurokawa Onsen. Your guide explains the sights in English, Japanese, Korean, or Traditional Chinese. The $50 price covers transport and guiding, while lunch, hot spring entry, museum admission, and horseback riding cost extra.

“Given sufficient time at each spot, tour guides were professional, provided informative tips & info.”

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6.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

Spend about eight hours exploring Nagano with a private English-speaking guide such as Hori, Mutsumi, or Horiuchi-san. Visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, and Obuse, with time for sake, local food, the Hokusai Museum, or an onsen. Hotel pickup is available from selected central Nagano hotels.

“Our tour guide was Hori and he was absolutely fantastic! His knowledge of the area and history behind everything was great. Our experience was so much fun. The hike was icy when we went in March so I definitely recommend having gooRead more”

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7.Mt Takao Tour with Ramen and Tattoo-Okay Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 8 hours · from $120

Join English-speaking guide Jordan for an eight-hour small-group outing from Takaosanguchi Station. Ride the cable car, visit the monkey park, hike Mt. Takao, eat Hachioji ramen or soba, see Yakuou-in, and unwind at a tattoo-friendly natural hot spring.

“The Mt Takao tour was absolutely wonderful. It was a very personal experience with a knowledgeable guide. Jordan knew so much about the mountain and the local area. From the monkeys, to the hike, to the onsen, the entire experience felt like a much needed getaway from the city. My favorite part of the tour was the onsen with many different springs to choose from. But there is something for everyone!”

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8.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $78

Join guides such as Tommy, Tome, Rossella, or Shinji for a 4.5-hour outing from Iiyama or Nozawa. Walk 2 kilometers through cedar forest to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, then visit Shibu Onsen and a sake brewery. Priority entry, WiFi, transport, and park admission are included.

“I really enjoy the tour, going to see the snow monkeys but also a little japanese village was a great experience. The guide was very nice and knowlegeable. If you have little time, I definitely recommend it. I have already recommend to my colleagues, as when we are in Tokyo, we spend only 2 nights.”

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9.[Seasonal Limited] Mt. Fuji 5th Station &Hot Spring Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $50

Travel from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai’s clear spring ponds, and Konohananoyu Onsen. You’ll get photo stops, free time, and a relaxing bath, with a weekday choice between the onsen and Gotemba Premium Outlets. Guide assignments may include Anna, Ken, Coco, or Jacob.

“Bus was basic Middle stop was tourist trap- far too busy to enjoy We’d booked for Onsen (3rd element), but this seemed an afterthought, as all except us were on for shopping at Gotemba as 3rd element”

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10.Solaniwa Onsen Hot Spring Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 51 reviews · 1 day · from $14

Spend a full day at Solaniwa Onsen in Osaka Bay Tower, with access to nine natural hot-spring baths, saunas, scrubbers, footbaths, and the 3,000-square-meter Tenku Garden. The slightly alkaline water rises from 1,000 meters underground, while the garden adds seasonal flowers, waterfalls, and a thousand torii gates.

“Love this family friendly onsen. Couldn’t work out how to get the lunch that we bought with our ticket and ended up having to purchase it again but overall we still would recommend the experience.”

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11.Mt. Aso Volcano & Kurokawa Onsen Scenic Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 37 reviews · 10 hours · from $90

Leave Fukuoka by comfortable van for Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, Mt. Aso, Kusasenri, and Kurokawa Onsen. An English or Chinese-speaking guide, including guides such as Daisy, leads this long day through volcanic scenery and traditional hot-spring country. Bath fees, meals, and attraction costs are extra.

“Amazing trip. Excellent guide and well Organized. Places we have visited were indeed the highlights of our trip. Strongly recommend”

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12.Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-Yu, the famous hot spring spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · 1 day · from $5Best value

Visit Tennen Onsen Naniwa-no-Yu, a public bath-style spa on Osaka’s 8th floor. Soak in naturally carbonated mineral water pumped from 659 meters underground, enjoy city views, and use the provided shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. Bring or rent towels, and note the no-visible-tattoo rule.

“It was ok. My first time and it’s not really my thing. Stayed for 30mins and left. Too hot for me.”

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13.Become a local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts&Onsen Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Walk central Beppu with an English or Japanese guide, including Masa when available. Visit Beppu Station Market, a bamboo workshop founded in 1908, Kiyoshima Apartment, and Space Beppu, where art and local history meet. The tour does not enter an onsen or visit the Hells.

“Excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable as well as likable.”

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14.From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & Sake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 13 reviews · 10 hours · from $135

Travel from Nozawa Onsen with an English-speaking local guide to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and a sake tasting. Expect snowy forest walking, lunch with vegetarian options, and guides such as Endo, Kieron, Lin, or Yama, depending on the day.

“Lin is an excellent guide! Knowledgeable in the variety of subjects throughout the tour, speaks at least 3 languages, and educates the clients with her gentle demeanor and engaging personality. She is a real gem, and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her.”

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