Co-ed Naked Baths? 9 Unique Hot Spring Destinations in Japan Worth Visiting

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Japan has long been known as the "Kingdom of Hot Springs." Popular hot springs familiar to Taiwanese travelers, such as Kusatsu Onsen, Dogo Onsen, and Ginzan Onsen, are all renowned soaking spots. However, beyond those well-ranked tourist hot springs, there are actually many interesting hot spring destinations in Japan waiting to be discovered. Below, we’ve selected 9 unique Japanese hot springs. In the cold winter, nothing beats warming your body and soul in a steaming hot spring bath.

The red wine onsen at Hakone Yunessun Spa Resort. (Photo / from the Hakone Yunessun official Facebook page)

1. Hakone Yunessun Spa Resort – Hot Springs in “Flavors” Like Red Wine, Green Tea, and Coffee
In addition to offering various types of hot springs with different fragrances, it also occasionally introduces limited-time offerings like afternoon tea and Yakult baths, greatly enhancing the fun of the bathing experience.

▲ The Golden hot spring at Golden Beach Immortal Hot Spring in Aomori. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

2. Aomori – Golden Beach Immortal Hot Spring
Famous for its golden-colored spring water. The hot spring water is originally clear, but it turns golden due to the iron content oxidizing when exposed to air. Besides enjoying it in Japan, the Tohoku Royal Hotel in Yilan, Taiwan, also offers a Golden Onsen.

▲ World Heritage Site – Yunomine Onsen. (Photo / from Wikipedia)

3. Yunomine Onsen – A Soakable World Heritage Site
Located in Yunomine Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Yunomine Onsen is no youngster—it’s around 1,800 years old, making it one of Japan’s oldest hot springs. Legend says that the waters of Yunomine Onsen change seven times a day, attracting many visitors to experience it.

There are currently two public bathhouses in the area. One of them, called “Tsubo-yu,” is believed to be Japan’s oldest public bathhouse, though it’s quite small and can only accommodate 2–3 people at a time.

▲ Yunotsu Onsen (Photo / from Wikipedia)

4. Yunotsu Onsen – A World Heritage Hot Spring Famous for Its “Medicine Hot Spring”
Located in Yunotsu Town, Shimane Prefecture, the traditional Japanese-style streets of this hot spring town are not only an important preserved architectural site in Japan but are also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine.

The most famous types of hot springs in Yunotsu are “Mototaki Medicine Hot Spring” and “Yakushi-yu.” Among them, “Yakushi-yu” was rated as the highest-grade natural hot spring by the Japan Onsen Association in 2005. Additionally, Yakushi-yu is also known by the nickname “Shindo-yu” (Earthquake Hot Spring) because it emerged after an earthquake.

▲ Keiunkan in Yamanashi Prefecture (Photo / from Yamanashi Travel Website)Yamanashi Prefecture Travel Website）

5. Keiunkan in Yamanashi Prefecture – Certified by Guinness World Records as the Oldest Hotel in the World
In addition to being certified as the world’s oldest hotel, Keiunkan also features the 1,300-year-old Nishiyama Onsen and a large bath tub made from a 2,000-year-old sacred tree. From the tub, you can gaze out at the mountain scenery, making it a great spot for those seeking a tranquil hot spring experience.

▲ Mikuriga-ike Onsen at Hakuba onsen in Toyama Prefecture (Photo / from Wikipedia)

6. Mikuriga-ike Onsen in Toyama Prefecture – Japan’s Highest Hot Spring Ryokan
Located in Hakuba Town, Toyama Prefecture, Mikuriga-ike Onsen sits at an altitude of 2,430 meters, making it Japan’s highest-altitude hot spring inn. Many mountain climbers choose to stay here overnight, though it’s only open from mid-April to late November each year.

▲ “Unkai no Yu” at Honzawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture (Photo / from Wikipedia)

7. Honzawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture – Japan’s Highest Open-Air Hot Spring
Located in Nagano Prefecture, Honzawa Onsen features “Unkai no Yu” (“Clouds Above Onsen”) at an altitude of 2,150 meters, making it Japan’s highest open-air hot spring. The pool can accommodate 3–4 people at a time, and there’s even a sign that reads “Japan’s Highest Open-Air Bath.” It’s very secluded, making it a great destination for travelers wanting to try a nude soak in an open-air hot spring.

▲ Beppu Onsen (Photo / from Wikipedia)

8. Embark on a Hell Tour – Beppu Onsen
Beppu Onsen is located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, which has the highest volume of hot spring water output in all of Japan. It boasts as many as 10 different types of hot springs, earning it the nickname “Beppu Hatto” (Eight Hells of Beppu). Among them, the “Jigoku Meguri” (Hell Springs Group) has become a popular sightseeing destination that many travelers are eager to experience.

The Beppu Hell Springs Group includes the blood-red Blood Pond Hell, as well as White Pond Hell, Sea Hell, and Tornado Hell, totaling eight hell-themed hot springs, also known as the “Hells of Beppu.” Among them, Blood Pond Hell gets its blood-red appearance from iron oxide content, making it a must-soak spot for many visitors.

▲ Yufuin Onsen (Photo / from Wikipedia)

9. Co-ed Nude Bathing – Yufuin Onsen
Located in Okayama Prefecture, Yufuin Onsen is home to the famous “Sunayu” (Sand Bath), which is ranked as the best open-air hot spring in western Japan. In addition to being known as a beauty-enhancing hot spring, it is also a co-ed bath where swimsuits are not allowed. Therefore, people of all ages must soak “au naturel,” challenging everyone’s limits. If you’re up for the adventure of soaking naked alongside others of any gender, come here and test your courage.