You don't need to fly across Japan to soak in mineral-rich volcanic hot springs (onsen). Within 45 minutes to 3 hours of Tokyo by train, you can choose between oceanfront cedar baths on the Izu Peninsula, Mt. Fuji–facing outdoor baths (rotenburo), and historic wooden mountain towns where steam rises from the streets.
10 Best Onsen Towns Near Tokyo Compared
| Onsen Town | Prefecture | Travel Time from Tokyo / Shinjuku | One-Way Fare (Approx.) | Best Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hakone Onsen (箱根温泉) | Kanagawa | 85 min from Shinjuku (Odakyu Romancecar) | ¥2,470 (or Hakone Freepass) | Easy day-trip baths (Tenzan, Hakone Yuryo), luxury ryokan, Lake Ashi & volcanic Owakudani |
| 2. Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) | Gunma | ~2h 30m–3h via Limited Express or Hokuriku Shinkansen + bus | ~¥5,500–¥6,200 | Japan's #1 natural spring flow volume, steaming Yubatake town square & Yumomi water-cooling ceremony |
| 3. Kawaguchiko Onsen (河口湖温泉) | Yamanashi | 1h 55m from Shinjuku (Fuji Excursion train or highway bus) | ¥2,200 (bus) / ¥4,130 (train) | Direct Mt. Fuji views from lakeside open-air ryokan baths |
| 4. Atami Onsen (熱海温泉) | Shizuoka | 40–45 min from Tokyo Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama/Hikari) | ¥3,740 | Closest seaside resort to Tokyo, ocean-view infinity baths & year-round fireworks |
| 5. Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) | Gunma | ~2h from Tokyo/Shinjuku (JR train + bus or direct highway bus) | ~¥2,600–¥4,800 | 365 stone steps (Ishidan-gai) lined with manju steam buns and iron-rich "Golden Water" |
| 6. Kinugawa & Nikko Onsen (鬼怒川・日光) | Tochigi | 2h from Asakusa or Shinjuku (Tobu Spacia X / Limited Express) | ~¥3,200–¥4,200 | River gorge ryokan combined with UNESCO Nikko Toshogu Shrine & Lake Chuzenji |
| 7. Minakami & Takaragawa Onsen (水上・宝川温泉) | Gunma | 65 min to Jomo-Kogen by Joetsu Shinkansen + 35 min bus | ~¥6,000 | Massive boulder-lined riverside outdoor baths surrounded by forest and winter snow |
| 8. Shima Onsen (四万温泉) | Gunma | ~2h 30m by JR Limited Express Kusatsu/Shima + bus (or direct Tokyo Station bus) | ~¥3,800–¥5,200 | Cobalt-blue river valley and historic wooden Sekizenkan bathhouse (an inspiration for Spirited Away) |
| 9. Shuzenji & Ito Onsen (修善寺・伊東温泉) | Shizuoka (Izu) | 1h 40m–2h 05m from Tokyo (Odoriko Limited Express) | ~¥4,600–¥5,200 | Bamboo grove paths, riverside footbaths & historic Tokko-no-yu in central Izu |
| 10. Bessho Onsen (別所温泉) | Nagano | 1h 30m to Ueda by Hokuriku Shinkansen + 30 min Ueda Electric Railway | ~¥6,800 | "Little Kamakura of Shinshu"—ancient Zen temples and ¥250–¥300 neighborhood public bathhouses |
Best Choices by Trip Type
- Best Easy Day-Trip Onsen from Tokyo (No Overnight Required): Take the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto and visit Hakone Yuryo (free shuttle from the station; 19 reservable private outdoor cedar baths for couples/families or guests with tattoos) or Tenzan Tohji-kyo (multiple forested outdoor rock baths). Alternatively, hop on the Shinkansen for 42 minutes to Atami for ocean-view day-use baths at Ocean Spa Fuua.
- Best Traditional Onsen Town Atmosphere (Strolling in Yukata): Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Its central Yubatake (hot-water field) gushes over 4,000 liters of steaming sulfur water per minute, surrounded by wooden inns, free footbaths, and three free public bathhouses (御座之湯 Goza-no-Yu is right on the square for ¥800).
- Best for Mt. Fuji Views from the Bath: Book an overnight ryokan along the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko (such as Konansou, Kukuna, or Ubuya) or day-trip to Yurari Onsen near Fuji Five Lakes. Clear winter mornings (November–February) give the highest chance of an unobstructed Fuji view.
Tattoo Policies & Private Baths (Kashikiri)
Before you go, read our step-by-step Onsen Etiquette Guide and Tattoos & Onsen Guide. If you have visible tattoos—or simply prefer bathing privately with your partner or family—look for ryokan or day spas offering kashikiri-buro (貸切風呂, reservable private baths) or rooms with an attached open-air bath (rotenburo-tsuki kyoshitsu). Notably, Kusatsu's public baths and Kinosaki Onsen (in Kansai) are also well known for welcoming tattooed bathers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest onsen town to visit as a day trip from Tokyo?
Hakone-Yumoto (85 minutes from Shinjuku via Odakyu Romancecar) and Atami (42 minutes from Tokyo Station via Tokaido Shinkansen) are the two fastest and easiest day-trip onsen towns from Tokyo.
Can I visit an onsen without staying overnight at a ryokan?
Yes! Look for 'higaeri onsen' (日帰り温泉, day-use hot springs). Many ryokan open their baths to non-staying guests between roughly 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM for ¥1,000–¥2,500, and dedicated day-spa facilities like Hakone Yuryo, Tenzan, and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath in Kusatsu welcome day visitors all day.
Which onsen near Tokyo is best if I have tattoos?
Hakone Yuryo in Hakone offers 19 private reservable outdoor baths (kashikiri) where tattoos are completely fine. Kusatsu Onsen's three main public baths (including Sainokawara Open-Air Bath and Goza-no-Yu) also allow visitors with tattoos.
How much does a night at an onsen ryokan near Tokyo cost?
A traditional onsen ryokan stay with a multi-course kaiseki dinner and Japanese breakfast ('ippaku nishoku') typically costs ¥18,000 to ¥35,000 per person per night at mid-range inns, and ¥45,000 to ¥80,000+ per person for luxury rooms with private open-air baths.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: