Amidst the quietly falling snow, you immerse yourself in the warm, steaming hot spring, with snow-capped mountains spreading out before you. Cold snow touches your cheeks, while your body is enveloped in the warm onsen. This luxurious contrast creates a moment of bliss. This is the allure of Japan's open-air baths.
Open-air baths are one of the most special experiences in Japan's hot spring culture. These outdoor hot springs allow you to bathe while becoming one with nature, a uniquely Japanese experience. I have visited open-air baths across the country, and the sense of wonder never fades.
What is an Open-air Bath? Japan's Unique Bathing Culture
An open-air bath, literally a bath set up outdoors, is known in English as an 'Outdoor Onsen' or 'Open-air Bath.'
The sense of unity with nature. Bathing while directly feeling the sky, mountains, rivers, and the sea. The pleasure of the temperature difference between the warm onsen and the cold outside air. The sense of freedom brought by the open space without a ceiling. Experiencing nature with all your senses—sight, hearing, smell, touch. This is what an open-air bath is.
Japan has distinct seasons and a culture that appreciates nature. The abundant hot spring resources and the Japanese aesthetic that values harmony with nature have nurtured the culture of open-air baths.
Winter Open-air Baths: The Ultimate Snow-viewing Bath Experience
The essence of open-air baths can be most enjoyed in a snow-viewing bath. An open-air bath amidst falling snow is the ultimate luxury that can only be experienced in Japan.
With an outside temperature of -5°C to 0°C and an onsen temperature of 38°C to 42°C, this temperature difference of over 40°C provides the ultimate relaxation effect for the body and mind.
The breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains. The quiet beauty of snow falling onto the surface of the water. The fantastical scenery created by steam and snow. And since snow absorbs sound, an open-air bath in the snow is astonishingly quiet, offering a sense of being in a different world.
When I first entered a snow-viewing bath at Nyuto Onsenkyo (Akita), I was speechless at the silence and beauty. A hidden hot spring surrounded by deep snow. In the silence, snow falls gently. That fantastical scene remains vivid in my memory.
Noboribetsu Onsen, Niseko Onsenkyo (Hokkaido), Ginzan Onsen (Yamagata), Nozawa Onsen, Hakuba Onsen (Nagano), Echigo Yuzawa Onsen (Niigata). If you want to enjoy winter open-air baths, these are recommended.
Autumn Open-air Baths: Enjoy the Spectacular Autumn Foliage
In Japan, autumn is when the mountains are adorned with fiery autumn leaves. Bathing in an open-air bath while gazing at this foliage is a beauty akin to a painting.
The best time to view the foliage is early to late October in Hokkaido and Tohoku, late October to mid-November in Kanto and Chubu, mid-November to early December in Kansai and Chugoku, and late November to mid-December in Kyushu.
Mountains dyed in red, orange, and yellow. The contrast with the blue sky. The fantastical light at dusk. And when the wind blows, the colored leaves gently fall onto the surface of the water. This natural performance is a special experience that cannot be artificially created.
When I entered an open-air bath in Okuhida Onsenkyo (Gifu) during the autumn foliage, I was moved by the beauty of bathing while gazing at the autumn leaves of the Northern Alps. That magnificent scale of scenery is unforgettable.
The gorge beauty and autumn foliage of Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto), the collaboration of Mount Fuji and autumn leaves at Hakone Onsen (Kanagawa), the vibrant autumn leaves of Tohoku at Naruko Onsen (Miyagi). Autumn open-air baths are wonderful everywhere.
Summer Open-air Baths: Seeking Coolness in Highland Hot Springs
In summer, it's recommended to enjoy open-air baths in highlands or mountainous areas to escape the heat.
In high-altitude locations, it remains cool in the mornings and evenings even in summer, making open-air baths pleasantly warm. Surrounded by fresh green mountains, the murmur of clear streams, the sound of cicadas, and birdsong. You can feel the summer nature with all your senses.
Morning baths while basking in the sunrise. Evening baths to enjoy the cool of the evening. Feeling the cool breeze at night. There are ways to enjoy summer that are unique to this season.
The refreshing air at an altitude of 1,500m in Kamikochi (Nagano), the charm of Karuizawa (Nagano) as a summer resort, the highland resort of Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma) at an altitude of 1,200m, the refreshing highland of Yufuin Onsen (Oita). Summer open-air baths help you forget the heat of the city.
Spring Open-air Baths: Enjoying Cherry Blossoms in a Hanami Bath
Spring in Japan is synonymous with cherry blossoms. Bathing in an open-air bath while gazing at the full bloom of cherry blossoms is one of the best ways to enjoy Japan's spring.
The contrast of pink cherry blossoms and blue sky. The beauty of cherry blossom petals floating on the surface of the water as they dance in the wind. Bathing while viewing cherry blossoms illuminated at night. And the cherry blossom season lasts only 1 to 2 weeks. This special experience, limited to this short period, is all the more valuable.
When I entered a hanami bath at Yoshino Onsen (Nara), I was moved by the splendor of bathing surrounded by 30,000 cherry trees at Yoshinoyama, Japan's most famous cherry blossom spot. Bathing while viewing such cherry blossoms is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The cherry blossom-lined riverbanks of Kinosaki Onsen (Hyogo), the stone steps and cherry blossoms of Ikaho Onsen (Gunma), the early-blooming cherry blossoms of Yugawara Onsen (Kanagawa). Spring open-air baths should be enjoyed with cherry blossoms.
Scenic Open-air Baths: Nature's Miracles
Japan has many open-air baths where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery.
Open-air Baths Overlooking the Sea
The blue sea and white sandy beaches of Shirahama Onsen (Wakayama), the spectacular view of Sagami Bay at Atami Onsen (Shizuoka), the coastline of Izu. Open-air baths overlooking the sea allow you to listen to the sound of waves while gazing at the infinite horizon. This sense of freedom is exceptional.
Open-air Baths with Mountain Views
The Northern Alps at Okuhida Onsenkyo (Gifu), Mount Fuji at Hakone Onsen (Kanagawa), Mount Yufu at Yufuin Onsen (Oita). Open-air baths with mountain views allow you to feel the grandeur of nature.
Open-air Baths Enjoying Gorge Beauty
Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto), Arashiyama Onsen (Kyoto), Iya Onsen (Tokushima). Open-air baths enjoying gorge beauty are healing spaces surrounded by the murmur of rivers and greenery.
How to Enjoy Open-air Baths
Choose the Time of Day
In the morning, bathe while basking in the sunrise; during the day, enjoy the bright nature; in the evening, watch the sunset; at night, gaze at the starry sky. Depending on the time of day, you can have completely different experiences.
I particularly like open-air baths at night. Bathing while gazing at the starry sky allows you to feel a sense of unity with the universe.
Quietly Feel Nature
In an open-air bath, it is important to quietly feel nature. The sound of birds, the sound of the wind, the murmur of the river. Listen to the sounds of nature. This time helps calm the mind.
Feel the Seasons
Visit open-air baths in each of the four seasons. Even in the same place, the scenery changes completely with the seasons. This is the charm of open-air baths.
About Mixed-gender Open-air Baths
In Japan, there are some mixed-gender open-air baths. Historically, they have existed, but they are a minority in modern times. Often, there are women-only time slots. If you are interested, check with the facility in advance.
Precautions for Open-air Baths
In winter, open-air baths can cause you to catch a chill easily. Dry off immediately and wear warm clothes after getting out. In summer, be cautious of UV rays. Avoid long baths. And since they are in nature, insects may fly around. Enjoy this as part of nature too.
Conclusion: Open-air Baths are Japan's Treasure
Open-air baths are a blissful experience woven by Japan's nature and hot spring culture. Snow-viewing baths, autumn foliage open-air baths, hanami baths, open-air baths overlooking the sea, open-air baths with mountain views. Each has its own special charm.
I have visited open-air baths across the country, and the sense of wonder never fades. Each time, there are new discoveries and emotions.
When you visit Japan, be sure to experience open-air baths. Bathing while becoming one with nature. This experience enriches life. Open-air baths are Japan's treasure.
