Famous Hot Spring Spots

    There are many hot springs in Japan. A lot of Japanese love them. These are famous hot springs tourist spot. 

      You can enjoy not only hot springs but also sightseeing. We call these area Onsen Town: 温泉街. There are a lot of hot springs and Japanese style hotels. You can enjoy restaurants and souvenir shops too. These buildings are traditional and Onsen town's view is beautiful, so I can always have relaxed time when I go to Onsen town.

Sightseeing Spots

 <Noboribetsu Onsen>　Pictures are explosion clator.

Ōyunuma: 大湯沼

Jigokudani: 地獄谷

 <Dougo Onsen>   Pictures are traditional buildings.

<Kusatsu Onsen>  

   Pictures are hot spring source. It is called "Yubatake: 湯畑." Yubatake is located in the center of Kusatsu Onsen Town.

    Hot springs on the map are only one part. There are many many other hot springs in Japan. 

    Speaking of Tohoku region, I imagine "Touji: 湯治." Touji means long staying at hot spring hotels to recover from illness or stress. We can spend quiet time and feel good benefits of hot springs. Also, there are a lot of "Hitou: 秘湯" in Tohoku region. Hitou means secret hot springs. Hitou has history and is located in the places that is surrounded by great nature. Hitou makes us feel a sense of romance because it have been loved for a long time.

Famous hot springs in Tohoku region

・Sukayu Onsen: 酢ヶ湯温泉

・Hanamaki Onsen: 花巻温泉 
・Nyūtou Onsen: 乳頭温泉
・Naruko Onsen: 鳴子温泉
・Akiu Onsen: 秋保温泉
・Zaou Onsen: 蔵王温泉　and so on

    There is a big difference between foreign hot springs and Japanese ones. In foreign countries, I have heard everyone wears swimsuit when they soak there. In Japan, we don't wear any swimsuits there. So the male and female baths are separated. You may hesitate when you spend time naked with strangers there for the first time. But you can experience a wonderful relax time and you will know why Japanese love hot springs.