The allure and enjoyment of hot springs come in many forms, with the comfort of open-air baths and the scenic views they offer being key attractions for everyone.
When it comes to enjoying scenic hot springs in nature, they are often limited by seasons or challenging to reach without a car. However, in Japan, there are many hot springs accessible by public transportation.
So, this time, we have selected some scenic hot springs that can be reached by public transport without the need for a car.
不老ふ死温泉 Eternal Fuji Hot Springs / Aomori Prefecture
Speaking of magnificent northern scenery, the first place that comes to mind is the Eternal Fuji Hot Springs in Aomori Prefecture. This hot spring is famous nationwide for its breathtaking views of the sunset over the Sea of Japan. The distance from the bath to the ocean is just 1 meter!
The gourd-shaped outdoor baths here are impressive, looking as if they are about to be splashed by ocean waves. It's a hot spring with magnificent sea views that leave a lasting impression even just by looking at photos.
Moreover, the reddish-brown spring water rich in iron has also caught the enthusiastic attention of hot spring enthusiasts. When it gushes out, it's crystal clear, but upon contact with air, it oxidizes and turns reddish-brown. Its effects in treating wounds and beautifying the skin are also noteworthy.
By the way, the outdoor baths are mixed-gender, but swimsuits are allowed, and there's also a dedicated outdoor bath for women, so there's no need to feel tense.
You might think it's difficult to get there, but there are shuttle buses to the nearest JR Wespa Tsubakiyama Station based on train arrival and departure times, so with a little train transfer planning, you can easily visit. Although it's in Aomori Prefecture, the most convenient way to get there is from Akita Station. It takes at least 2 hours and 10 minutes by express train from Akita Station.
- Eternal Fuji Hot Springs (不老ふ死温泉)
- Address: 15 Kura saku, Shimokita District, Fukaura, Aomori
- Access: Take a hotel shuttle bus from JR Wespa Tsubakiyama Station for 5 minutes / Walk less than 20 minutes from SAKUSAKU Station
- Website: https://www.furofushi.com/
蒸ノ湯温泉（ふけの湯）Windy Hot Springs (Kazenoyu) / Akita Prefecture
蒸ノ湯温泉（ふけの湯）Windy Hot Springs (Kazenoyu) located amidst beech forests at an altitude of 1100 meters are the oldest and most tranquil hot springs in Hachimantai, receiving strong support from locals.
Due to being in a place with deep snow accumulation, it's open from late April to early November. Located within the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, many may think it's inaccessible without a car, but it's actually reachable by bus and train.
The famous mixed-gender outdoor baths are scattered in the hellish area where hot spring water flows, perfectly blending with the wild nature of the region. Although it's a mixed-gender bath, swimsuits are allowed on cloudy days, making it suitable for female visitors as well.
The facility has a total of 3 hot springs, including outdoor baths, indoor baths for both men and women, so you can fully enjoy the variety of secret hot spring baths.
There are routes from Morioka and from Lake Tazawa, both with extremely scenic hot springs along the way, making them recommended for a hot spring exploration journey.
- 蒸ノ湯温泉（ふけの湯）Windy Hot Springs (Kazenoyu)
- Address: Hachimantai, Kazuno, Akita (inside the Kumazawa National Forest)
- Access: Take the Iwate Prefecture bus from Morioka Station and get off at Hachimantai Summit Bus Station. Use the hotel's shuttle service: Take the Akita North Bus from Kakunodate Station or Tazawako Station to Hachimantai Aspit Entrance Bus Station. It's a 17-minute walk from the bus station.
- Website: https://www.fukenoyu.jp/
万座温泉日進舘 Manza Onsen Nisshinkan / Gunma Prefecture
Manza Onsen, in terms of quality and location, is one of the top hot springs in the Kanto region. Situated at an altitude of 1800 meters, it boasts acidic sulfur springs. It's also renowned for having the highest concentration of hot springs in Japan.
This captivating hot spring area, with temperatures reaching 80 degrees, releases over 5.4 million liters of water from more than 20 types of springs daily. There are several inns here, each with its own charm, including water quality, but Nisshinkan stands out for its scenic views and convenient access.
The Paradise Bath is located outside the main inn building, offering unobstructed and stunning views, making it ideal for stargazing while soaking. Nisshinkan also features multiple indoor baths and outdoor baths, making it a perfect place to indulge in hot spring relaxation.
Seibu sightseeing buses operate from Manza-Kazawaguchi Station to Manza Onsen, so getting there is much easier than you might think. However, Nisshinkan stands out for its dedicated shuttle bus service.
Located within the Joshin'etsu Kogen National Park, you might spot antelopes along the way.
- 万座温泉日進舘 Manza Onsen Nisshinkan
- Address: 2401 Karamata, Tsumagoi Village, Agatsuma District, Gunma
- Access: Take a Seibu sightseeing bus from Manza-Kazawaguchi Station for 40 minutes to Manza Bus Terminal / Free shuttle buses from Karuizawa Station, Manza, and Kazawaguchi Station
- Website: https://www.manza.co.jp/
高峰温泉 Takamine Onsen / Nagano Prefecture
Takamine Onsen, also known as Hikari no Yu, is a secluded inn located at an altitude of 2000 meters on the Takamine Plateau. Despite its high altitude, it is easily accessible due to well-maintained roads. Public transportation can take you there year-round without hassle.
Many visitors come here for mountain climbing and skiing, but the area is also renowned for its quality hot springs, attracting many hot spring enthusiasts. Besides the excellent spring water, the main attraction is the open-air baths that offer magnificent views of the sea of clouds on clear days.
Day-trip visitors are welcome to soak in the baths, but the baths available to day-trippers and overnight guests differ. Access to the spectacular open-air baths is only granted to overnight guests.
These are compact tubs that can comfortably accommodate four adults.
When it comes to outdoor hot springs in mountainous areas, many adopt mixed-gender bathing styles, but at Takamine Onsen, all baths are separated by gender, making it a scenic hot spring friendly to female visitors as well.
Take a JR bus from Sakudaira Station via Komoro Station to Takamine Onsen, which takes about 1 hour. It's about a 45-minute drive from Komoro City, making it easily accessible. During summer, the bus stops in front of the inn, but in winter, it reaches the ski resort and shuttles guests from there to the inn.
There's also a JR bus from Busta Shinjuku to Takamine Onsen, costing around 6,000 yen roundtrip, making it a convenient and affordable secret hot spring from Tokyo. Fantastic, isn't it? It's a well-connected and cost-effective hot spring option starting from Tokyo.
- 高峰温泉 Takamine Onsen
- Address: Takamine Kogen, Komoro City, Nagano
- Access: Take a JR bus from Sakudaira Station via Komoro Station to Takamine Onsen, approximately 1 hour
- Website: https://www.takamine.co.jp/
新穂高の湯 Shin-Hotaka no Yu / Gifu Prefecture
新穂高の湯 Shin-Hotaka no Yu is a collective term for five hot spring areas at the foot of the Northern Alps: Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shin-Hotaka. Just hearing "Oku Hida" evokes a desire to travel, doesn't it, with its pronunciation of rugged mountains?
Both in terms of quality and location, this place is enchanting for hot spring enthusiasts. If you're looking for spectacular scenery, head to Shin-Hotaka no Yu located in front of the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway! The hot spring water is lukewarm, and the hot spring is typically open only from late April to late October.
What makes Shin-Hotaka no Yu so delightful is its vibrant open-air bath that overlooks the Kabuto River. The location is exhilarating to describe. What's exciting is that it's a mixed-gender bath, but wearing swimsuits is allowed, enabling women to relax in the hot spring amidst nature!
Shin-Hotaka no Yu is a day-trip facility, so if you wish to stay nearby, be sure to check out the Yarimikan. As the name suggests, from the open-air bath called Yarimi no Yu along the rural riverbank, you can see the famous mountain peak of the Northern Alps, Yarigatake.
- 新穂高の湯 Shin-Hotaka no Yu
- Address: Shin-Hotaka Onsen, Kamisaka, Takayama City, Gifu
- Access: Take a Nohi Bus from Takayama Hida Bus Center to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway for about 1.5 hours to Midorigaoka-guchi Bus Stop. Walk 2 minutes from Midorigaoka-guchi Bus Stop to Shin-Hotaka no Yu
- Operating Season: Late April to October 30 / Closed: None (may close if river water level rises)
- Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Website: https://shinhotaka.com/
白馬岳蓮華温泉ロッジ 仙気の湯 Hakuba-dake Renka Onsen Ryokan Sengi no Yu / Niigata Prefecture
Renka Onsen is located on the slopes of Mount Hakuba-dake at an altitude of 1,475 meters near the northern end of the Northern Alps. More precisely, the four outdoor areas behind the Hakuba-dake Renka Onsen Lodge—Sengi no Yu, Kogane no Yu, Yakushi no Yu, Sangoku no Yu—as well as the indoor baths within the lodge, are collectively called Renka Onsen.
The lodge serves as a base for climbers ascending the Northern Alps from the Niigata side, but it's also a popular destination for hot spring enthusiasts due to its beautiful hot springs.
From mid-March to October 20 each year, you can soak in the hot springs. Starting from late June, cars are allowed to pass, so during the period when car passage is restricted, you can come here by mountain skiing from Togakushi Ski Resort.
The bus runs only from mid-July to mid-October. You can take the Hakuba-dake Climbing Bus (Renka Line) to the bus stop near the lodge, which runs from Itoigawa Station through Hiraiwa Station to Renka Onsen.
Along the mountain path from the lodge are open-air baths with different water qualities. Sengi no Yu currently offers the best scenery, where on clear days, you can see the mountains of the Northern Alps like Yukikura-yama, Asahi-yama, and Gorin-yama.
All the open-air baths here are mixed-gender. "Yakushi no Yu" has a system prioritizing women (only women are welcomed as indicated by the female bathing sign during bathing, so if you're uncomfortable, go to "Yakushi no Yu"). It's a place where you can fully enjoy the integration of the five senses and the energy of the earth in the hot spring.
- 白馬岳蓮華温泉ロッジ 仙気の湯 Hakuba-dake Renka Onsen Ryokan Sengi no Yu
- Address: 991 Oso, Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture
- Access: Take the Itoigawa Bus Hakuba-dake Climbing Bus (Renka Line) from Itoigawa Station. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes via Hiraiwa Station.
- Closed Periods: May 6 to late June / October 20 to mid-March
- Website: https://rengeonsen.main.jp/index.html
