Japan is one of the few places in the world with distinct "four seasons." Each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—has its own unique climate and scenery. This change in seasons is one of the reasons why hot spring and sauna experiences in Japan are considered the most special in the world.

Enjoying a bath while viewing cherry blossoms, a sauna in the cool highlands, an open-air bath surrounded by autumn leaves, and a snow-viewing bath in falling snow. Even at the same hot spring location, the experience can be entirely different with the change of seasons. This article will explain in detail how to enjoy hot springs and saunas in each of the four seasons.

Spring Hot Spring and Sauna Experience (March to May)

Hanami Bath: A Luxurious Collaboration of Cherry Blossoms and Hot Springs

The Charm of Cherry Blossom Season

Spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms. From late March to early May, the cherry blossom front moves north across the Japanese archipelago. An open-air bath while viewing cherry blossoms is a special luxury that can only be experienced in Japan.

Cherry Blossom Viewing Period (by Region)

• Kyushu & Shikoku: Late March to Early April
• Kansai & Kanto: Late March to Mid-April
• Tohoku: Mid-April to Early May
• Hokkaido: Late April to Mid-May

Recommended Hanami Bath Spots

Kinosaki Onsen (Hyogo Prefecture) A beautiful hot spring town with willow trees and cherry blossoms. Touring the outdoor baths while viewing the riverside cherry blossoms is exceptional.

Yugawara Onsen (Kanagawa Prefecture) Famous for its early-blooming cherry blossoms. Enjoy cherry blossoms from early March.

Hanamaki Onsen (Iwate Prefecture) Cherry blossoms bloom in a vast garden. Enjoy the late spring of Tohoku.

Yoshino Onsen (Nara Prefecture) A hot spring in Yoshinoyama, Japan's top cherry blossom spot. Experience a hot spring surrounded by 30,000 cherry trees.

Spring's Fresh Greenery and Hot Springs

After the cherry blossoms fall, the season of fresh greenery arrives in May. An open-air bath surrounded by the refreshing green of young leaves is also a springtime delight.

How to Enjoy Spring Saunas

Enjoying Temperature Changes Spring is a season with significant temperature changes. Warm during the day and chilly in the mornings and evenings. This temperature difference enhances the sauna "totonou" experience.

Also for Hay Fever Relief Saunas are said to help alleviate hay fever symptoms. They can improve nasal passage and reduce symptoms.

Summer Hot Spring and Sauna Experience (June to August)

Hot Springs in Summer Resorts: A Combination of Coolness and Hot Springs

Why Hot Springs in Summer?

You might think, "Hot springs in summer? Isn't it hot?" However, summer hot springs in Japan have a special charm.

Cool Highland Hot Springs

In high-altitude hot spring areas, mornings and evenings are cool even in summer, allowing for comfortable hot spring enjoyment.

Recommended Summer Resort Hot Springs

Karuizawa (Nagano Prefecture) About 1,000 meters above sea level. Cool even in summer, famous as a summer resort. Enjoy stylish resort hot springs.

Kamikochi (Nagano Prefecture) About 1,500 meters above sea level. Stunning views of the Northern Alps and refreshing air. Cool mornings even in summer, with temperatures in the 10s°C.

Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma Prefecture) About 1,200 meters above sea level. Comfortable temperatures even in summer. Refreshing feeling of washing away sweat in strongly acidic hot springs.

Nasu Highlands (Tochigi Prefecture) About 500 to 1,000 meters above sea level. A summer resort close to the city center.

Summer Sauna: Sweat and Detox

The Appeal of Summer Saunas

Many enthusiasts say summer is the time for saunas! The reasons are:

• Detox Effect: Expelling waste through a large amount of sweat
• Cold Plunge Bath is the Best: The cold plunge bath feels exceptionally good in summer
• Prevention of Summer Fatigue: Balancing the autonomic nervous system to prevent summer fatigue
• Nighttime Outdoor Bathing: The cool breeze of summer nights is pleasant

Cautions for Summer Saunas

• Stay hydrated frequently
• Avoid long bathing sessions
• Do not overexert yourself, monitor your condition

How to Enjoy Summer Hot Springs

Early Morning Bathing Summer mornings are cool, making morning baths feel great. Start your day refreshingly with a bath while basking in the morning sun.

Nighttime Open-Air Bath Bathe at night after it cools down. A hot spring under the starry sky is a summer luxury.

Riverside Hot Springs Bathe while listening to the murmuring of the river. The cool sound is soothing.

Summer-Only Hot Spring Events

Firefly Viewing From June to July, some hot spring areas offer magical scenery with fireflies flying around.

Summer Festivals Many hot spring areas host summer festivals and fireworks displays. Participating in festivals in yukata is also fun.

Autumn Hot Spring and Sauna Experience (September to November)

Autumn Foliage Open-Air Bath: The Most Popular Season

Autumn is the Best Season for Hot Springs

Autumn is said to be the best season for hot spring trips. The reasons are:

• Spectacular Autumn Foliage: Mountains dyed in red, orange, and yellow
• Comfortable Temperature: Not too hot or too cold, perfect for bathing
• Delicious Food: Abundant autumn flavors
• Clear Air: Scenery looks more beautiful

Best Times for Autumn Foliage (by Region)

• Hokkaido: Late September to Mid-October
• Tohoku: Early to Late October
• Kanto & Chubu: Late October to Mid-November
• Kansai & Chugoku: Early to Late November
• Shikoku & Kyushu: Mid-November to Early December

Spectacular Autumn Foliage Hot Spring Spots

Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto Prefecture) A hidden hot spring surrounded by gorge foliage. Viewing autumn leaves from riverside open-air baths is exquisite.

Okuhida Onsen-go (Gifu Prefecture) Enjoy hot springs while viewing the autumn foliage of the Northern Alps. A grand scale of spectacular views.

Hakone Onsen (Kanagawa Prefecture) A triple combo of Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji, and autumn foliage.

Naruko Onsen (Miyagi Prefecture) One of Tohoku's top autumn foliage spots. The entire mountain is dyed in fiery red.

Autumn Sauna: The Season for Easy Totonou

Optimal Temperature

Autumn temperatures (15-25°C) are ideal for saunas. The temperature difference between sauna, cold plunge bath, and outdoor air is pleasant, making it easy to achieve "totonou."

Outdoor Bathing While Viewing Autumn Foliage Achieve "totonou" in the sauna and then view the autumn foliage. This supreme experience is a privilege of autumn.

Autumn Flavors and Hot Springs

Matsutake Mushrooms The king of autumn flavors. Many hot spring inns offer matsutake dishes.

Chestnuts Enjoy autumn flavors like chestnut rice and chestnut buns.

Mushrooms Various mushroom dishes, including shimeji, maitake, and eringi.

Pacific Saury & Salmon Enjoy fatty autumn fish at hot spring inns.

Winter Hot Spring and Sauna Experience (December to February)

Snow-Viewing Bath: The Ultimate Hot Spring Experience

Winter is When Hot Springs Shine

Winter open-air baths, especially snow-viewing baths, are considered the pinnacle of hot spring experiences.

The Charm of Snow-Viewing Baths

• Extreme Temperature Contrast: Sub-zero outside, over 40°C in the hot spring
• Beauty of Snow: Pristine snow scenery and hot spring steam
• Silence: Snow absorbs sound, creating a quiet world
• Dreamlike Atmosphere: Snow and steam create a magical scene

Famous Snow-Viewing Bath Locations

Nyuto Onsen Village (Akita Prefecture) A hidden hot spring surrounded by beech forests. A truly remote snow-viewing bath in a snow-covered hot spring area.

Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata Prefecture) A Taisho-era romantic hot spring town covered in snow, like a painting.

Shirakawa-go (Gifu Prefecture) A World Heritage site with gassho-style houses. Enjoy hot springs while viewing the snow-covered village.

Noboribetsu Onsen (Hokkaido) Hokkaido's snow scenery and hot springs. Experience unique to Hokkaido with the best snow quality.

Winter Sauna: The Best Totonou

Extreme Temperature Contrast Creates Supreme Experience

Winter saunas allow for the deepest "totonou" experience.

The Appeal of Winter Saunas

• Cold Plunge Bath Feels Good: You can stay longer in the cold plunge bath in winter
• Cold Air During Outdoor Bathing: Cold air clears the mind
• Large Temperature Difference: Sauna at 100°C → Cold plunge bath at 15°C → Outdoor air at 0°C creates a strong contrast

Snow Dive Some sauna facilities offer a "snow dive" after the sauna, where you can jump into the snow. The ultimate Finnish-style sauna experience.

Winter Hot Spring Precautions

Be Careful of Temperature Differences Sudden temperature changes can strain the body.

• Thoroughly rinse before entering
• Avoid jumping into hot water immediately
• Hydrate before and after bathing

Dehydration Winter is dry, and you may become dehydrated without noticing. Frequent hydration is important.

Special Seasonal Hot Spring Culture

Seasonal Medicinal Baths

In Japanese public baths and hot springs, there is a culture of enjoying special medicinal baths each season.

Spring: Iris Bath (May 5, Children's Day) A bath with floating iris leaves. Wards off evil and wishes for health.

Summer: Mint Bath (July to August) Feel cool with the refreshing scent of mint.

Autumn: Chrysanthemum Bath (September 9, Chrysanthemum Festival) A bath with floating chrysanthemum flowers. Wishes for longevity.

Winter: Yuzu Bath (December 22, Winter Solstice) A bath with floating yuzu. Considered to prevent colds. The most famous seasonal bath in Japan.

Seasonal Events

New Year's Shrine Visit and Hot Springs (January) A popular trip combining New Year's shrine visits with hot springs.

Fireworks and Hot Springs (Summer) Many hot spring areas host fireworks displays.

Autumn Foliage Illumination (Autumn) Nighttime autumn foliage illumination and nighttime hot springs.

Christmas and Year-End Events (Winter) Illuminations and countdown events in hot spring towns.

Enjoying Japan's Hot Springs and Saunas Year-Round

The Appeal of Hot Springs Regardless of Season

Indoor Baths Enjoy comfortably year-round, unaffected by weather.

Sauna Facilities Urban sauna facilities operate regardless of the season.

Hot Spring Pools Enjoy heated pools in both summer and winter.

Clothing Advice for Each Season

Spring & Autumn

• Bring a jacket
• Wear easily removable clothing
• It can get chilly at night

Summer

• Dress lightly
• Sun protection
• Insect repellent

Winter

• Wear a thick jacket
• Warm clothing for strolling in hot spring towns
• Non-slip shoes

Conclusion: Japan's Hot Springs and Saunas are Special Because of the Four Seasons

Cherry blossoms in spring, summer retreats, autumn foliage, and snow-viewing baths in winter. The combination of seasonal landscapes and hot springs makes Japan's hot spring experience unique in the world.

Even if you visit the same hot spring location, the experience can be entirely different with the change of seasons. Visiting a hot spring location during cherry blossom season and then again during the snow season is a unique way to enjoy it, possible only in Japan with its four seasons.

The same goes for saunas. The cool outdoor bathing on summer nights, the "totonou" in the cold winter air. Different "totonou" experiences await you in each season.

When visiting Japan, be sure to choose hot springs and saunas with the seasons in mind. Cherry blossoms in spring, autumn foliage in autumn, and snow in winter. Special hot spring experiences that can only be experienced in that season await you.

Because Japan has four seasons, hot springs and saunas offer endless enjoyment, providing new discoveries every time you visit, all year round.