JAPAN'S FINEST ONSEN & SAUNA
The Finest Onsen & Sauna in Japan
57 SELECTIONS
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.
Sep 19–21, 2025 ／ 2 nights, 3 days
I wanted to embark on a journey in search of the ultimate cold plunge bath experience — not just any cold plunge bath, but one-of-a-kind experiences unique to each facility. The trip began at SPA&HOTEL Suishun Matsuiyamate in Kyoto, where I started with a 13°C carbonated cold plunge bath, followed by a flowing natural groundwater cold plunge bath at Hakusanyu Rokujo. From there, I headed to Gifu Prefecture to enjoy a superb herbal sauna and a flowing groundwater cold plunge bath at Megumi no Yu. On the final day, I paid a second visit to Ogaki Sauna, where I lost consciousness in what may be the finest cold plunge bath in all of Japan.
Every stop on this itinerary was personally visited by our editors.
Read it in the order we travelled.
