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Wellness Travel to
Japanese Onsen (Hot Spring) Resorts

– Experience the Treasure of Tochigi Prefecture –

From Tokyo, Tochigi is only 50 minutes away by Shinkansen. The prefecture is known for the world heritage site “Shrines & Temples of Nikko,” including Nikko Tosyogu Shrine. It boasts a large number of onsen sites, featuring a rich lineup of hot spring water quality and natural landscapes, and provides visitors deep relaxation. In addition to hot springs, you can enjoy healthy Japanese cuisine using fresh local ingredients, and experience sutra chanting (shakyo) and zazen meditation program at a temple where you can face yourself.There are also a variety of healthy activities, such as cycling to enjoy the magnificent nature.

About 10% of active volcanos in the world are in Japan, making the country rich in volcanic hot springs. Further back in history, onsen had already made their appearance in 6th-century Japanese literature. In Japan, ‘Touji’ is a health promotion method practiced from olden times. It involves staying at an onsen site for a long time and soaking in onsen to heal wounds and illness. It is said that samurai who got severely wounded in war visited onsen in Tochigi to heal their wounds.
Today, the efficacy of onsen has been scientifically proven; chemical substances in hot spring water, which are from volcanos, are said to promote health by alleviating fatigue, cuts, and rashes, and warming the body also improves circulation and boosts the metabolism.
Onsen is a health improvement method long beloved by Japanese and at the same time is a part of traditional Japanese culture.
Why don't you try onsen while travelling in Japan?

■ Click here to learn how to enjoy onsen.

Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture offer a wide variety of spring water types and efficacy that provide visitors a pleasant healing experience. There are ten types of hot spring water across Japan, and Tochigi has seven you can try. This enables you to choose an onsen site according to your symptoms or health problems. Each onsen site also boasts the seasonal beauty of nature. Fall and winter are especially recommended as you can enjoy the exceptional view of autumn leaves or a snow-covered landscape while bathing.

<Recommended onsen sites by symptoms>
This section introduces spring water types and onsen sites recommended by symptom or health problem.
  • ■ To alleviate symptoms such as sleeplessness and stiff shoulders caused by autonomic imbalance
    <Recommended spring water type : simple spring water>
    Simple spring water is the most frequently found water type in Tochigi Prefecture. Spring water with pH8.5 or higher is called simple alkaline spring water. It feels smooth on the skin and is gentle on the body. It will leave your skin silky smooth after bathing.
    ●Where to find
    Bato onsen village, Nikko onsen, Kinugawa onsen, Kawaji onsen, Kawamata onsen, Yunishigawa onsen, Itamuro onsen

  • ■To alleviate sensitivity to cold and improve circulation
    <Recommended spring water type : chloride spring water>
    Sodium contained in the water forms a film on the skin preventing body heat from escaping, resulting in heat retention and circulation improvement. The water also moisturizes skin to alleviate dryness.
    ●Where to find
    Kawamata onsen, Shiobara onsen village, Kitsuregawa onsen

  • ■To alleviate skin problems
    <Recommended spring water type : sulfur spring water>
    The water is characterized by the smell of hydrogen sulfide gas. With strong sterilization and disinfection effects, it improves skin health by removing bacteria and substances causing atopy, which leads to skin problems. At the same time, caution is required since it is easily absorbed by the skin and may irritate the skin of children, elderly people, or people with sensitive skin. You may feel more comfortable if you shower at the end to rinse off the chemicals in the water.
    ●Where to find
    Okunikko Yumoto onsen, Kawamata onsen, Okukinu onsen, Nasu onsen village

  • <Recommended spring water type : acidic spring water>
    The water is strongly acidic. Because of the strong acidity, it has a high sterilization effect to keep the skin clean. Since high acidity causes skin irritability, do not soak for a long time, and it is recommended that you rinse off the chemicals in the water when you finish. Caution is particularly required for people with sensitive skin, children, and elderly people.
    ●Where to find
    Nasu onsen village, Shiobara onsen village

  • ■To brighten and beautify skin
    <Recommended spring water type : hydrogen carbonate spring water>
    The water makes skin smooth by washing away skin fat and cutaneous secretions to exfoliate the skin. As it leaves skin silky smooth, it is considered a major example of beauty-enhancing and skin-beautifying hot spring.
    ●Where to find
    Shiobara onsen village, Kawamata onsen
    ■To alleviate anemia
    <Recommended spring water type: chalybeate spring water>
    The water is rich in iron. Drinking it alleviates anemia.
    ●Where to find
    Terayama kosen
  • ■To alleviate hypertension
    <Recommended spring water type: sulfate spring water>
    With its blood pressure lowering effect, this type of water is recommended for people with hypertension. It is also known to help healing wounds such as cuts and burns.
    ●Where to find
    Itamuro onsen, Shiobara onsen village

This section introduces activities that you can enjoy together with onsen.
Out-of-the-ordinary Japanese cultural experiences and nature activities will refresh your body and soul.

See more

See more

Other recommended places

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Most Japanese onsen are offered in the form of public baths, meaning you share the baths with other people, but there are also types of onsen that you can enjoy in a private space. While onsen have a health promotion effect, you might become sick if you bathe in a wrong way. This section introduces different styles of onsen and the common way to enjoy them safely and properly.

  • ■Large public bath (“daiyokujyo”)
    Most onsen facilities have “daiyokujo,” a large public bathing area where you share a bath(s) with other people. This is the common style of onsen. Many daiyokujo feature multiple baths in a large space, so you can try different types and temperatures of hot spring water. Daiyokujo usually have both an indoor bath (“uchi-yu”) and an open-air bath (“roten-buro”).
  • ■Open-air-bath (“roten-buro”)
    This is a type of bath installed outdoors. You can enjoy the seasonal landscape or starry sky at night while soaking in onsen.
  • ■Private bath
    Unlike daiyokujo, this is a type of bath you can use just for yourself. Since you can enjoy onsen in a private space, it is recommended for people like a family, couple, or first-timers who are uncomfortable with trying daiyokujo. Those with tattoos are also permitted. To use this bath, you may need to make a reservation for specified hours and/or pay additional fees.
  • ■Bath in a guest room
    This is a bath installed in a guest room of a ryokan inn or hotel. You can enjoy onsen anytime you want without leaving the room. The room charge tends to be a little expensive, but it is recommended for those who want privacy or to soak when they feel like it.
1.Take your clothes off in the changing area.
・You are not allowed to wear swimsuits or underwear in Japanese onsen. Take all your clothes off in the changing area.
・Some onsen facilities do not permit people with a tattoo even if it is a fashion tattoo. However, you may be permitted if you hide it with tape or other material. Make sure to collect information on the facility’s official website.
2.Wash your body before entering the bath.
・Before entering the bath, use soap and shampoo to wash the whole body. Remove your makeup, too. This will keep the bath water clean.
3.Pour onsen water over your body
・Pour onsen water over your body to prepare your body for the onsen water temperature.
・Start from the hands and feet and gradually move toward your chest.
This will prevent a sudden rise of blood pressure when you enter the bath so that you can enjoy onsen safely.
4.Enter the bath.
・Soak half the body first to get your body used to the onsen water. Go slowly to protect your body from sudden stress caused by the
water temperature or water pressure.
・Soak until you feel light sweat on your forehead or nose. Staying in the water for a long time may make you feel sick. (Recommended
soak time: 5 minutes at 42ºC, 10 minutes at 41ºC, 15 minutes at 40ºC, and 20 minutes at 39ºC.)
・To keep the bath water clean, do not let your towel enter the bath.
・Onsen is a place to relax. Do not swim in the bath or talk loudly.
5.Exit the bath.
・Once exiting the bath, wipe water off your body with a towel. You should not take a shower as you want to keep the onsen’s
medicinal ingredients on your skin.
*You should take a shower, however, if you have sensitive skin or have soaked in stimulating water such as acidic spring water.
6.After the bath.
・Your body has lost water from sweating in onsen. Drink water after the bath.
・Soaking in onsen has also consumed your energy and changed your blood pressure. Rest for at least 30 minutes until your body feels normal.
  • Changing area
  • Washing place
  • Rest place (After the bath)
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