5 Best Hot Springs Near Tokyo: Day Trip Onsen Guide for 2025

2025/11/14

Soaking in a natural hot spring is one of the most relaxing experiences in Japan—and you don’t need to travel far from Tokyo to enjoy it. Within just 1–2 hours, you can reach beautiful onsen towns, mountain retreats, and open-air baths with breathtaking views.
In this guide, we introduce the 5 best hot springs near Tokyo, perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. From Hakone to Gunma, discover where to unwind, recharge, and enjoy authentic Japanese onsen culture.

For more ideas on getting around the capital and nearby regions, visit our Tokyo Private Tour Guide.

Why visit a hot spring near Tokyo?

Hot springs near Tokyo offer a perfect mix of convenience, nature, and cultural charm. Many travelers choose day trips from Tokyo to enjoy:

Relaxing Japanese hot springs with scenic mountain and forest views
Easy access from Tokyo without long-distance travel
Charming onsen towns filled with local food and traditional ryokans
Variety: ocean-view baths, mountain onsen, volcanic springs, and more

Whether you’re looking to unwind after sightseeing or planning a winter hot springs escape, the Tokyo area offers endless options.

How to get to hot springs from Tokyo

kyo, which eliminates transfers and lets you enjoy sightseeing at your own pace.Most onsen towns can be reached by train, highway bus, or car. However, accessing multiple hot springs in one day or visiting remote mountain onsen can be challenging with public transportation.

For the smoothest travel, many visitors choose a private tour from Tokyo, which eliminates transfers and lets you enjoy sightseeing at your own pace.

The 5 Best Hot Springs Near Tokyo

Below are the most popular and relaxing Japanese hot springs located within 2 hours of Tokyo — ideal for first-timers and seasoned onsen lovers.

Hakone Onsen

Hakone is widely known as one of the best hot springs near Tokyo, loved for its mineral-rich waters, art museums, and beautiful mountain scenery. Many traditional ryokans offer open-air baths with Mt. Fuji views, making it one of the most popular choices for a Tokyo onsen day trip.

Why Hakone?

Dozens of unique hot springs and historic bathhouses
Museums, Lake Ashi sightseeing cruises, and ropeways
Stunning in all seasons — especially magical as a winter hot springs escape

If you want to explore Hakone and the Mt. Fuji area comfortably, consider a private tour.
Our Mt. Fuji Private Tour is perfect for travelers who want to see the region’s iconic scenery, while the dedicated Hakone Private Tour offers a relaxed way to enjoy the area's hot springs, lake views, and cultural attractions at your own pace.

Kusatsu Onsen

Kusatsu is often ranked among Japan’s very best onsen towns, known for its strong, acidic waters that naturally flow at some of the hottest temperatures in the country. The iconic Yubatake hot water field creates a unique atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else.

Why Kusatsu?

One of Japan’s most powerful mineral hot springs
Traditional Yumomi performance
Excellent choice for a snowy winter hot springs experience

Kusatsu is located in the mountains of Gunma, and accessing multiple spots in one day can be challenging.
If you prefer a smoother journey, the Gunma Private Tour offers convenient travel from Tokyo and lets you explore the town’s hot springs and scenic mountain views without transfers.

Ikaho Onsen

Ikaho Onsen is a nostalgic hot spring town famous for its long stone staircase and two types of healing waters — the iron-rich “golden water” and the milder “silver water.” It’s a relaxing mountain onsen destination with plenty of charm.

Why Ikaho?

Quiet mountain setting
Unique golden and silver hot springs
Easy, relaxed day trip from Tokyo

Travelers who want to enjoy nature, hot springs, and leisurely sightseeing often combine Ikaho with nearby attractions.
For those starting in Tokyo, our Tokyo Private Tour Guide includes suggested routes and tips for building an itinerary that fits Ikaho and surrounding scenic spots.

Atami Onsen

Atami is one of the closest and most convenient hot springs near Tokyo, offering coastal scenery, ocean-view baths, and a warm climate year-round. It’s especially popular with travelers looking for a relaxing getaway with great food and sea views.

Why Atami?

Beautiful ocean-view hot springs
Fastest travel time from Tokyo
Lots of seafood dining and easy sightseeing

Atami is ideal for travelers who want maximum relaxation with minimal travel time.
If you’re planning a broader coastal or Hakone-area trip, our Hakone Private Tour can also be customized to include Atami and nearby viewpoints.

Minakami Onsen

Set deep in the mountains of Gunma, Minakami is perfect for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation. The area offers riverside open-air baths, forests, and outdoor activities like rafting, canyoning, and skiing.

Why Minakami?

Beautiful nature and river-view baths
Seasonal activities: rafting in summer, snow in winter
Ideal mountain onsen destination

For visitors who want to combine nature, hot springs, and a comfortable trip from Tokyo, the Tokyo Private Tour Guide can help you plan a personalized route that includes Minakami and nearby scenic areas.

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Best seasons for visiting hot springs

Nagato Yumoto Onsen in Yamaguchi Prefecture

Although many travelers visit onsen during winter, hot springs near Tokyo are enjoyable all year:

Winter: Snow-view hot springs, especially in Hakone & Kusatsu
Spring: Cherry blossoms around the ryokans
Summer: Cool mountain escapes
Autumn: Brilliant foliage in Minakami and Ikaho

No matter the season, a Tokyo onsen day trip offers incredible relaxation.

Onsen etiquette for first-time visitors

Understanding onsen etiquette will help you enjoy Japanese hot springs comfortably:

Rinse your body before entering the bath
No swimwear allowed
Keep towels out of the water
Enter quietly and avoid splashing
Tattoos may require using private baths

These simple rules ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.

Explore hot springs with a private tour

To make your onsen trip even smoother, you can explore hot springs and nearby attractions through our private tours.
If you’re starting from Tokyo, our Tokyo Private Tour Guide offers helpful route ideas.
For those wanting to combine onsen with iconic landscapes, the Mt. Fuji Private Tour and Hakone Private Tour are excellent choices.
And if you’re heading toward Gunma, the Gunma Private Tour provides easy access to Japan’s most famous hot spring town.
You can also browse more options in our full collection of Japan Private Tours.

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