The Journeys

Our editor is visiting every onsen and sauna in Japan, one at a time.

Which train we took, what time we arrived, and what it actually felt like once we were in the water. Written as a traveller, not a reporter — including the days that didn't go to plan.

32 journeys, 158 baths, 28 prefectures. Every one of them visited in person.

Latest journey

Hokkaido Sauna Journey (Shiretoko, Nakashibetsu, Lake Akan)

The Ultimate Trip Worthy of a Life Reboot

Jul 31–Aug 3, 2026　／　3 nights, 4 days　／　Hokkaido

All journeys

32 entries

202616 entries

Jul 31–Aug 3, 2026Hokkaido Sauna Journey (Shiretoko, Nakashibetsu, Lake Akan)The Ultimate Trip Worthy of a Life RebootHokkaido　／　6 baths · 3 nights Jul 19–20, 2026Shikoku Sauna Journey ~Ehime & Kagawa~A Journey to Experience the Essence of Shikoku SaunasEhime・Kagawa　／　2 baths · 2 nights Jul 11–13, 2026Kanto Sauna Tour ~Chiba, Kanagawa & Tokyo~A soul reboot beginning in Maihama — surrendering to uncharted saunasChiba・Kanagawa・Tokyo　／　7 baths · 2 nights Jun 5–8, 2026Hokkaido Hot Spring & Sauna Journey ~Shikotsu Lake, Noboribetsu, Toya Lake & Jozankei~A journey through Shikotsu Lake, Noboribetsu, Toya Lake, and Jozankei — completely captivated by extraordinary saunas and breathtaking natureHokkaido　／　8 baths · 3 nights May 23–24, 2026Hyogo & Osaka Hot Spring Sauna JourneyThe true purpose of the trip: extraordinary baths. A record of rejuvenation visiting the finest hot springs in Hyogo and OsakaHyogo・Osaka　／　4 baths · 1 nights May 9–10, 2026Kyoto & Osaka Hot Spring Sauna JourneyRising from Burnout: A Journey of Renewal Through the Finest Facilities of Kyoto and OsakaKyoto・Osaka　／　5 baths · 1 nights Apr 18–20, 2026Fukuoka & Saga Hot Spring Sauna Journey v2A trip of gratitude for my parents — visiting the legendary Rakanno-yu and the finest saunas in HakataFukuoka・Saga　／　2 baths · 2 nights Apr 3–5, 2026Gifu, Aichi & Mie Onsen Sauna JourneyDiscovering hidden gems: a tour of the thriving sauna scene across Gifu, Aichi, and Mie in the Tokai regionGifu・Mie・Aichi　／　5 baths · 2 nights Mar 28–29, 2026Hyogo & Wakayama Hot Spring Sauna JourneyLured by Clear Skies and a Sea View: An Impulsive Weekend Trip to the Stunning Open-Air Bath Overlooking Akashi Kaikyo BridgeHyogo・Wakayama　／　4 baths · 1 nights Mar 19–22, 2026Shizuoka, Yamanashi & Nagano Hot Spring Sauna JourneyIn pursuit of breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and the ultimate cold plunge bath — a supreme pilgrimage beginning at Sauna ShikijiShizuoka・Yamanashi・Nagano　／　9 baths · 3 nights Feb 27–Mar 2, 2026Fukuoka & Saga Hot Spring Sauna JourneyImmerse yourself in Kyushu's rich onsen culture — an extraordinary trip through vibrant Fukuoka and the soothing retreats of SagaFukuoka・Saga　／　8 baths · 3 nights Feb 20–23, 2026Tokyo, Saitama & Kanagawa Sauna JourneyConquering the finest establishments. A Kanto tour etched in sauna history, beginning at Shinagawa SaunaTokyo・Saitama・Kanagawa　／　7 baths · 3 nights Feb 6–8, 2026Hiroshima Sauna JourneyThe ultimate experience guided by impulse and instinct — a spontaneous sauna trip to Hiroshima with zero plansHiroshima　／　4 baths · 2 nights Jan 31–Feb 1, 2026Nara Hot Spring & Sauna JourneyA spontaneous journey guided by the body's voice — the ultimate sauna-hopping adventure in the ancient capital of NaraNara・Osaka　／　4 baths · 1 nights Jan 17–18, 2026Kyoto Sento & Sauna HoppingWhere modern saunas meet Showa-era retro sento. A whirlwind Kyoto tour including filming locations from the drama Sa-michiKyoto　／　4 baths · 1 nights Jan 9–11, 2026Kobe, Osaka & Kyoto Sauna TripThe ultimate journey to start 2026 — born from an unquenchable craving for Kobe Sauna, sweeping through Kyoto and Osaka's finest establishmentsHyogo・Kyoto・Osaka　／　4 baths · 2 nights

202516 entries

Dec 26–28, 2025

Kumamoto Sauna JourneyThe ultimate finale to close out 2025 — a Kumamoto trip to visit Yurakusu, the sacred sauna of the westOsaka・Kumamoto・Hyogo　／　6 baths · 2 nights Dec 5–7, 2025Kanto Sauna PilgrimageThe greatest memory of a lifetime: A legendary tour of renowned facilities across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and ChibaTokyo・Chiba・Saitama　／　6 baths · 2 nights Nov 21–24, 2025Gifu & Aichi Hot Spring Sauna JourneyA carefully curated selection of top-tier establishments through thorough pre-trip research. A 3-night, 4-day tour of Aichi Prefecture's finest facilitiesHyogo・Aichi・Gifu　／　7 baths · 3 nights Nov 15–16, 2025Osaka Hot Spring Sauna JourneyEvery sauna has a story to tell. Episodes from an Osaka sauna adventure, told through a uniquely personal perspective.Osaka　／　3 baths · 1 nights Nov 8–9, 2025Hyogo Onsen Sauna JourneyFrom autumn to winter, the ultimate hot spring to soothe the chill. A journey through Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, centered around natural hot springsHyogo　／　4 baths · 1 nights Oct 25–26, 2025Okayama Sauna JourneyMy first private sauna experience: opening a new door to sauna culture in Okayama through quiet self-reflectionOkayama・Hyogo　／　4 baths · 1 nights Oct 17–20, 2025Osaka Sauna TripA limit-breaking sauna retreat making full use of the weekend — hitting Osaka's finest spots from Friday night through Monday morningOsaka・Hyogo　／　5 baths · 3 nights Oct 3–6, 2025Hokuriku Sauna Journey (Toyama & Ishikawa)A Challenge to an Uncharted Sacred Land: An Expedition Through Toyama and Ishikawa, Where Drinkable Cold Plunge Baths Await at Every TurnToyama・Ishikawa　／　7 baths · 3 nights Sep 27–28, 2025Kagawa Sauna JourneyThe Ultimate Overnight Experience: A Kagawa Weekend of Blazing-Hot Saunas and Exceptional Hot SpringsKagawa　／　2 baths · 1 nights Sep 19–21, 2025Kyoto & Gifu Hot Spring Sauna TripIn Search of the Ultimate Original Cold Plunge Bath: A Journey from Kyoto to Gifu to Savor Miraculous Water QualityKyoto・Gifu　／　4 baths · 2 nights Sep 12–15, 2025Osaka, Nara & Wakayama Hot Spring and Sauna JourneyA Weekend Starting at the Sacred Yao Grand Hotel — An Osaka, Nara & Wakayama Trip That Included My First Akasuri ScrubOsaka・Nara・Wakayama　／　7 baths · 3 nights Sep 4–7, 2025A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Grounds of Japanese SaunaThe ultimate luxury route to fulfill every sauna enthusiast's dream — a sacred pilgrimage across 6 legendary facilitiesHyogo・Gifu・Shizuoka　／　6 baths · 3 nights Aug 29–31, 2025Kobe & Umeda Hot Spring and Sauna JourneyA journey through Japan's finest hot spring and sauna facilities — conquering the top picks on the must-visit list in Kobe and UmedaHyogo・Osaka　／　5 baths · 2 nights Aug 14–17, 2025Kochi & Ehime Onsen Sauna JourneyA homecoming trip turned into the ultimate sauna experience — enjoying Kisuke-no-Yu, one of Japan's top-ranked super sento facilitiesKochi・Ehime　／　3 baths · 3 nights Aug 9–11, 2025Shiga & Nara Hot Spring Sauna JourneyRediscovering the true potential of the Kinki region: famous hot springs in Shiga and Nara, and a first visit to the breathtaking Suzuran no YuShiga・Nara・Hyogo　／　4 baths · 2 nights Jul 26–27, 2025Fukuoka Sauna TripAn impulsive departure to shake up the monotony of everyday life — savoring the extraordinary with great food and Wellbe FukuokaFukuoka　／　1 baths · 1 nights

JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA

The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan

57 SELECTIONS

The first few places, free.

Only the 57 places worth returning to.

Most of what we surveyed never even made it onto this site. This book is a further cut from what did. Our editor bathed in every onsen and sauna in it, and wrote only what they confirmed on the ground.

See inside, free