Soak in Japan’s Hot Springs This Autumn and Winter: Top 3 Premium Springs Recommended

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home / Compiled Report
 
As autumn arrives and the weather turns crisp, it's once again the season for onsen bathing. While travelers are planning their trips to Japan, don’t forget to include a soak in a hot spring. The following three top-tier Japanese hot springs will help rejuvenate your tired body and mind amidst stunning scenery and soothing waters.

1.Arashiyama Hot Springs
Arashiyama Hot Springs, developed in 2004, is considered a relatively new hot spring destination. However, thanks to its surrounding historical sites, it still retains Kyoto’s rich and elegant atmosphere. The Kyoto Suiran Hotel, just a 15-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station, is most famous for its guests-only open-air hot spring.

Nearby are iconic sights such as Togetsukyo Bridge, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tenryu-ji Temple. Moreover, Kyoto Suiran Hotel is situated along the Katsura River, where the gentle sound of flowing water ensures an ultimate state of relaxation during your trip.

2.Karuizawa Hot Springs
Karuizawa is about a 90-minute drive from Tokyo. Tokyo residents especially love to drive here with their families for weekend getaways when winter approaches. Surrounded by mountain scenery all year round, Karuizawa becomes even more enchanting when blanketed in pristine white snow in winter.

Surrounded by mountain scenery throughout the seasons, Karuizawa offers a peaceful and comfortable stay at the Hoshinoya Resort. Here, you can enjoy the snow while savoring delicate seasonal dishes, indulge in spa treatments and Zen-style massages, and relax in a hinoki (cypress) wood hot spring tub inside your spacious room—making for a truly exquisite sensory experience.