MONTHLY RANKING
From among the hot spring and sauna facilities across Japan that I actually visited in April 2026, I present a ranked list of the places that left the strongest impression, based on a comprehensive evaluation of sauna quality, cold plunge bath quality, natural hot spring water quality, outdoor bathing environment, food, overall atmosphere, customer service, and more.
Facilities Listed
5facilities
Last Updated
2026.5.27
MONTHLY RANKING
From among the hot spring and sauna facilities across Japan that I actually visited in April 2026, I present a ranked list of the places that left the strongest impression, based on a comprehensive evaluation of sauna quality, cold plunge bath quality, natural hot spring water quality, outdoor bathing environment, food, overall atmosphere, customer service, and more.
Facilities Listed
5facilities
Last Updated
2026.5.27
Last Updated
2026.5.27
Saga Takeo City
A bathing facility at Miyajima Hotel, located in Takeo, Saga Prefecture, worthy of being called a sacred site in Japan's sauna scene. In addition to saunas with different atmospheres for men and women, it offers the heat from an extra-large wood stove, herbal steam, self-löyly in the men's bath, and kugel in the women's bath. The deep cold plunge bath cooled with water from Takeo Onsen's source, along with the休憩室 where you can even enjoy salt pudding, is sublime. Wrapped in the fantastical world of teamLab, heat, water, and art pierce all five senses. Every part of the experience is designed on another level, making this an addictive ultimate facility.
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Mie Kuwana City
A scenic day-use hot spring facility in Tado-cho, Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, with sweeping views over the Nobi Plain. The far-infrared sauna has 6-tier benches, so you can choose your preferred temperature zone, and you can cool down as you like with two cold plunge baths at 9°C and 18°C. On a clear day, the outdoor bath with a view and outdoor air bathing in an infinity chair are superb. I changed my plans on impulse, but I ended up thoroughly totonou from the morning and felt my excitement rise. With the rock bath called Mangan and meals made with ingredients from Mie, this is the kind of place where a detour on a trip turns into a big win.
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Gifu Kani City
A day-use bathing facility in Kani, Gifu Prefecture, with the beautiful look of a traditional Japanese inn. You can cool down thoroughly in the 90°C-range Mori of löyly and the far-infrared high-temperature sauna, along with a cold plunge bath fed by natural underground water. Outdoor bathing in the open-air bath overlooking the garden, while admiring cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, is outstanding. When you arrive after the peaceful walk from Hime Station, the atmosphere of Japan and the scent of the trees instantly melt your heart. With hot spring, sauna, and scenery all in one, this is a facility that makes you lose track of time.
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Gifu Ginan Town, Hashima District
A day-use bathing facility in Ginan, Hashima District, Gifu Prefecture, where you can luxuriate in natural hot spring water and authentic saunas. It has two types of saunas: a high-temperature wet automatic löyly sauna and a Finnish-style sauna where self-löyly is possible, and you can enjoy alternating hot-and-cold bathing in 12°C and 18°C natural underground water cold plunge baths. The sodium bicarbonate spring at Ikedayuge Onsen has an exquisite water quality that leaves your skin silky smooth. I went by taxi in the pouring rain, but it was more than worth it. With 3 kinds of cold plunge bath and excellent flow throughout the facility, you can lose track of time and immerse yourself in totonou.
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Aichi Nagoya City
A long-established men's sauna in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, featuring a massive pool in an underground space. It offers three kinds of heat: the 90°C-range Man's Sauna, the serene Komorebi löyly, and the low-temperature Subtropical Steam. Cooling is fully flexible with the 13°C Deep Sea Water, the 22°C Shallow Water, and a pool-style ultrasonic flowing bath. On basement level 4, where the roar of a waterfall echoes, going back and forth between heat and water again and again makes the fatigue of travel melt away in an instant. This is an addictive, top-tier facility that makes you want to slip into Nagoya at night.
View DetailsOut of 7 facilities visited in 4/2026, we've selected the top 5 in this ranking.
Last Updated
2026.5.27
Saga Takeo City
A bathing facility at Miyajima Hotel, located in Takeo, Saga Prefecture, worthy of being called a sacred site in Japan's sauna scene. In addition to saunas with different atmospheres for men and women, it offers the heat from an extra-large wood stove, herbal steam, self-löyly in the men's bath, and kugel in the women's bath. The deep cold plunge bath cooled with water from Takeo Onsen's source, along with the休憩室 where you can even enjoy salt pudding, is sublime. Wrapped in the fantastical world of teamLab, heat, water, and art pierce all five senses. Every part of the experience is designed on another level, making this an addictive ultimate facility.
View DetailsMie Kuwana City
A scenic day-use hot spring facility in Tado-cho, Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, with sweeping views over the Nobi Plain. The far-infrared sauna has 6-tier benches, so you can choose your preferred temperature zone, and you can cool down as you like with two cold plunge baths at 9°C and 18°C. On a clear day, the outdoor bath with a view and outdoor air bathing in an infinity chair are superb. I changed my plans on impulse, but I ended up thoroughly totonou from the morning and felt my excitement rise. With the rock bath called Mangan and meals made with ingredients from Mie, this is the kind of place where a detour on a trip turns into a big win.
View DetailsGifu Kani City
A day-use bathing facility in Kani, Gifu Prefecture, with the beautiful look of a traditional Japanese inn. You can cool down thoroughly in the 90°C-range Mori of löyly and the far-infrared high-temperature sauna, along with a cold plunge bath fed by natural underground water. Outdoor bathing in the open-air bath overlooking the garden, while admiring cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, is outstanding. When you arrive after the peaceful walk from Hime Station, the atmosphere of Japan and the scent of the trees instantly melt your heart. With hot spring, sauna, and scenery all in one, this is a facility that makes you lose track of time.
View DetailsGifu Ginan Town, Hashima District
A day-use bathing facility in Ginan, Hashima District, Gifu Prefecture, where you can luxuriate in natural hot spring water and authentic saunas. It has two types of saunas: a high-temperature wet automatic löyly sauna and a Finnish-style sauna where self-löyly is possible, and you can enjoy alternating hot-and-cold bathing in 12°C and 18°C natural underground water cold plunge baths. The sodium bicarbonate spring at Ikedayuge Onsen has an exquisite water quality that leaves your skin silky smooth. I went by taxi in the pouring rain, but it was more than worth it. With 3 kinds of cold plunge bath and excellent flow throughout the facility, you can lose track of time and immerse yourself in totonou.
View DetailsAichi Nagoya City
A long-established men's sauna in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, featuring a massive pool in an underground space. It offers three kinds of heat: the 90°C-range Man's Sauna, the serene Komorebi löyly, and the low-temperature Subtropical Steam. Cooling is fully flexible with the 13°C Deep Sea Water, the 22°C Shallow Water, and a pool-style ultrasonic flowing bath. On basement level 4, where the roar of a waterfall echoes, going back and forth between heat and water again and again makes the fatigue of travel melt away in an instant. This is an addictive, top-tier facility that makes you want to slip into Nagoya at night.
View DetailsOut of 7 facilities visited in 4/2026, we've selected the top 5 in this ranking.