Recommended self-driving destinations in Kanto include Nasu Kogen, the historic Nasu no Yu Onsen, Tenseien easily accessible along the Hakone self-driving route, and the hot springs in the northern region known for being filming locations.
Below are some hot springs in the Kanto region of Japan that you can visit in a day trip:
1. Nasu no Yu Onsen (Tochigi Prefecture)
This is the original hot spring of Nasu Onsen, offering a day-trip experience steeped in the history of the springs. It's said to have been in operation for about 1300 years. The name comes from a legend where a wounded deer was found healing in the hot spring. Nasu no Yu Onsen is located in Nasu Kogen, making it convenient to visit while driving.
Before bathing, try the "kaburiyu (かぶり湯)" method, where you pour hot water over your head with a ladle, which is said to be very effective. The baths are divided into 6 areas, allowing you to enjoy different temperatures in each. However, the use of soap and shampoo is prohibited here.
- Nasu no Yu Onsen（那須湯本温泉 鹿の湯 ）
- Address: 181 Yunomoto, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture
- Phone: 0287-76-3098
- Website: http://www.shikanoyu.jp/
2. Tenseien (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Tenseien Hotel is about a 5-minute drive from Hakone Yumoto Station and can be visited for a day trip. Although it's a day-trip hot spring, it's open 23 hours a day, from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. the next day, making it very convenient! You can enjoy 3 hot springs, open-air baths, and large baths.
The general admission fee includes rental of indoor clothing, bath towels, and hand towels, so you can enter empty-handed. You can visit Tenseien at your leisure during your self-driving tour or sightseeing in Hakone.
Additionally, in the garden of Tenseien, there is a power spot called "Tamagawa no Takigi (玉簾の瀧)." The spring water from its source has been known since ancient times as "water for longevity and health," and I recommend visiting the shrine while soaking in the hot springs. Near the Tamagawa waterfall, there is a foot bath that you can use for free.
- Tenseien（天成園）
- Address: 682 Yumoto, Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Phone: 0460-83-8511（*0460-83-8511 for reservations only）
- Website: https://www.tenseien.co.jp/
3. Yurakirari Yokosuka Onsen Yuraku no Sato (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Yuraku no Sato Onsen is located on the Mahori Coast, facing the sea, making it a perfect day-trip hot spring for those who want to enjoy driving along the coast. You can indulge in natural hot springs gushing from 1,800 meters underground, and the outdoor baths with flowing water offer panoramic views of Tokyo Bay. On clear days, you can see Yokosuka, Yokohama, Chiba, and even Mount Fuji.
The hot springs at Yuraku no Sato are strong sodium chloride salt springs, similar to seawater, which provides excellent heat retention, keeping you warm for a long time. After bathing, relax on a reclining chair in the rest area overlooking the sea.
- Yurakirari Yokosuka Onsen Yuraku no Sato（ 横須賀温泉 湯楽の里）
- Address: 4-1-23 Mahori Kaigan, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Phone: 046-845-1726
- Website：https://www.yurakirari.com/yura/yokosuka/
4. Ikaho Onsen Outdoor Baths (Gunma Prefecture)
These are day-trip hot springs located at the end of Ikaho Onsen's Tamagawa-dori, popular among locals. It's said to be the source of Ikaho Onsen, with a history dating back 1,900 or 1,300 years. You can enjoy hot springs flowing directly from the source in the outdoor baths. Nearby, one of the springs is open to the public, where you can see the "transparent hot water" that turns into Ikaho Onsen's distinctive brown color upon oxidation.
- Ikaho Onsen Outdoor Baths（ 伊香保温泉露天風呂）
- Address: 581 Ikahomachi Ikaho Yunomoto, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma Prefecture
- Phone: 0279-72-2488
- Website: https://www.yurakirari.com/yura/yokosuka/
5. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a hot spring theme park in Hakone that you can visit for a day. It's very convenient to reach from the city center and is also easily accessible by car on weekends, which adds to its allure. It's divided into four areas, including the swimsuit bathing area "Yunessun" and the regular hot spring area "Mori no Yu" for nude bathing.
In the Yunessan area, there's a large Mediterranean-themed spa center called "The Aegean of the Gods," along with unique spa centers like wine baths, authentic coffee baths, green tea baths, sake baths, and more. The "Mori no Yu" area features outdoor baths, cypress baths, and various other baths for you to fully enjoy the hot springs. Additionally, the food and shopping area "Mio Mall" can be accessed without bathing.
- Hakone Kowakien Yunessun（ 箱根小涌園 ユネッサン）
- Address: 1297 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Phone：0460-82-4126
- Website：https://www.yunessun.com/
6. Goza no Yu (Gunma Prefecture)
Yunohana is a famous tourist spot in Kusatsu Onsen. This day-trip hot spring facility opened in front of Yunohana in 2013, recreating the past hot spring culture. It's a quaint wooden structure with only one indoor bath. You can enjoy two types of hot springs here: "Yunohana Spring" and "Mandai Spring."
The tatami hall on the second floor overlooks the Yunohana fields, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy the hot spring atmosphere while driving along. You can also rent yukata when going out, which is very popular among women. Wearing yukata that complements the picturesque scenery, you can immerse yourself in the hot spring resort ambiance♪
- Goza no Yu（ 御座之湯）
- Address: 421 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-cho, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Prefecture
- Phone：0279-88-9000
- Website：https://onsen-kusatsu.com/gozanoyu/
7. Seibu Chichibu Ekimae Onsen Matsuri no Yu (Saitama Prefecture)
Seibu Chichibu Ekimae Onsen "Matsuri no Yu" is a compound hot spring facility conceptually based on the famous "festivals" of Chichibu. Besides the hot spring area, there's a food court where you can taste Chichibu specialties like grass-fed chicken skewers and miso potatoes, a Chichibu specialty market where you can buy local products, limited edition items, Japanese sweets, local sake, and more. It's divided into three areas.
The hot spring area here uses natural hot springs drawn from about 2,000 meters underground and features seasonal cherry blossom-viewing baths, outdoor baths with views of Chichibu's symbol, Mt. Buko, and highly concentrated hot springs, as well as artificial carbonated springs, silk baths, and saunas. After bathing, relax in the rest area or enjoy food at the food court.
- Seibu Chichibu Ekimae Onsen Matsuri no Yu（ 西武秩父駅前温泉 祭の湯）
- Address: 1-16-15 Nosaka-cho, Chichibu-shi, Saitama Prefecture
- Phone：0494-22-7111
- Website：https://www.seibu-leisure.co.jp/matsuri/index.html
8. Akigawa Keikoku Seoto no Yu (Tokyo)
This day-trip hot spring facility is located in Akikawa Keikoku in Akiruno City, offering breathtaking views of the national park's beautiful natural scenery. The facility is new, spacious, and has a pleasant atmosphere, making it a popular destination for locals. It's about a 60-minute drive from the city center, and I recommend leisurely driving there.
The unique feature of Akigawa Keikoku is its highly alkaline hot springs gushing from 1,500 meters underground, with both indoor and outdoor baths available. The highlight is the outdoor baths, where you can admire the mountainous views forming the valley! Besides the hot springs, there are plenty of leisure facilities here, including a diverse menu restaurant, spacious hall, and outdoor relaxation area perfect for forest bathing.
- Akigawa Keikoku Seoto no Yu（秋川渓谷 瀬音の湯）
- Address: 565 Otsu, Akiruno-shi, Tokyo
- Phone：042-595-2614
- Website：http://www.seotonoyu.jp/
9. Ryugujo Mikazuki Onsen Hotel (Chiba)
Ryugujo Onsen Hotel Mikazuki is a 35-minute drive from the city center and is known as the fastest hot spring resort to reach from the city center. Although it's a hotel, it's actually a hot spring facility that can be enjoyed even for a day trip, offering swimming pools and hot springs all day long.
The biggest charm of the hot springs here is the panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and even Mount Fuji. Another feature is the variety of baths, including the famous golden baths, and Ryugujo Onsen is the only place where you can bathe in silver baths! There are also women-friendly stone sauna baths and beauty salons.
- Ryugujo Mikazuki Onsen Hotel（龍宮城スパ・ホテル三日月）
- Address: 1 Chome-16-15 Kitahama, Kimitsu-shi, Chiba Prefecture
- Website: https://www.mikazuki.co.jp/ryugu/
10. Kita Onsen Kita Onsen Ryokan (Tochigi Prefecture)
Kita Onsen is a historic secret hot spring discovered in the legend of Tengu. The grand buildings constructed during the Edo, Meiji, and Showa periods create a serene atmosphere.
Also known as Tengu Onsen, this hot spring was used as a filming location for the movie "Thermae Romae," and its biggest advantage is that you can drive there like a tourist. You can enjoy various baths, including the "Tengu no Yu" with a large Tengu mask and the "swimming pool" colloquially known as the "onsen pool."
Many people use it as an overnight hot spring, but it can also be enjoyed as a day trip. However, due to its mountainous location, direct driving is not possible. The building is about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot down the stairs, so please walk there.
- Kita Onsen Kita Onsen Ryokan
- Address: 151 Yunomoto, Nasu, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture
- Phone: 0287-76-2008
- Website: http://www.kitaonsen.com/
11. Yugawara Soyu Books and Retreat (Kanagawa)
Yugawara Soyu Books and Retreat is a day-trip hot spring facility located in Yugawara Manyo Park. It features the "Entrance Terrace" with a café and co-working space, and the "Soyu Terrace" with hot springs and a restaurant, where you can spend a relaxing time indulging in the theme of "hot springs and gourmet food" amidst books. It's recommended for those looking to drive there and unwind for a day.
The hot springs at Soyu Terrace include both large communal baths and outdoor baths. You can enjoy the sound of the flowing river water and birdsong from the source while bathing. You can choose between "with meal" or "without meal" options at Soyu Terrace. If you opt for "with meal," you can enjoy creative dishes made with seasonal ingredients at the restaurant on-site.
For those looking to unwind slowly, we recommend Yugawara Soyu, where there are over 100 books including novels, picture books, and essays that you can enjoy reading before or after bathing or dining.
- Yugawara Soyu Books and Retreat（汤河原惣汤 Books and Retreat）
- Address: 566 Miyakami, Yugawara-cho, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Website: https://yugawarasoyu.jp/
