After many long days of sightseeing, capping off your Japan trip with a visit to any of the country’s onsen towns is highly recommended, as the waters from these natural hot springs can help relax and rejuvenate your tired muscles. You can visit many of these by purchasing your Japan Rail Pass in Australia.

Kurama Onsen

Located in northern Kyoto, up in the mountains and less than an hour from the downtown area, Kurama is a quaint town that offers outdoor and indoor hot spring baths. It also has other attractions, such as the Buddhist Kurama-dera temple and several hiking trails through the forest.

Dogo Onsen

A popular hot spring town that is also one of the oldest in Japan, Dogo Onsen is situated in Matsuyama and is a favourite destination of the Japanese Imperial Family. Its primary attraction is a wooden public bathhouse known as the Dogo Onsen Honkan, which was built in the late 1800s during the Meiji Period. The Honkan’s interior is comprised of several passages, rooms and stairways, and is said to be the inspiration for the bathhouse in the animated movie “Spirited Away”.

Kinosaki Onsen

Found on the northern coast of Hyogo Prefecture, Kinosaki Onsen is a tranquil town that offers a traditional and old-fashioned ambiance. Since the 8^th century, it has been believed that the waters coming from its hot springs have the ability to help heal different illnesses. Today, it consists of seven public bath houses that offer ryokan lodging.

Kusatsu Onsen

An onsen town that sits 1,200 metres above sea level in Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu Onsen is among the top-rated hot spring resorts in Japan. Its high-quality waters offer a long list of health benefits and can be enjoyed at its many ryokan, public baths and pools. In winter, Kusatsu, specifically the Kusatsu Ski Resort, is also a great destination for visitors looking to ski and enjoy other snow activities.

Noboribetsu Onsen

Hokkaido’s most popular onsen town, Noboribetsu Onsen is home to high-quality hot spring resorts, which provide thermal waters that can help visitors relax and unwind. You can drop by any of the bathhouses and spend a few hours there, or book a stay for a night or two for a longer pampering session.

Beppu Onsen

Thanks to its abundance of excellent thermal waters, Beppu is consistently ranked at the top of the best Japanese onsen towns. Its numerous ryokan and bathhouses offer a wide variety of onsen experiences, including mud baths, steam baths and heated sand baths.