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.
Nov 8–9, 2025 ／ 1 night, 2 days
The theme of this trip is natural hot springs. As the season turns from autumn toward winter, the air has grown noticeably cool. At times like these, there is nothing better than soaking in high-quality natural hot springs while also enjoying a good sauna. Setting off by car on a Saturday morning, I made my way to Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture. Over the next two days, I intend to fully immerse myself in everything the hot springs and saunas here have to offer. The best journey is just about to begin.
Every stop on this itinerary was personally visited by our editors.
Read it in the order we travelled.
Hyogo
Exceptional hot springs, sauna, cold plunge, and atmosphere — all at the highest level
Hyogo
A Natural Hot Spring That Plunges You Into Deep Relaxation Without You Even Noticing
