Ranking of popular hot spring inns with reviews for those who want to enter secret hot springs in Japan

We recommend Hatcho-no-Yu Ryokan. This is a recommended hotel for those who want to enjoy hiking in nature and experience the four seasons of Japan, with waterfalls and suspension bridges in the surrounding area. The open-air Ryokan (Japanese inn) is of course filled with hot spring water, but you can enjoy the view of the flowing waterfall surrounded by trees. There are three Mixed-Gender Hot Springs baths, and we hope you will enjoy each one, but there are also designated bathing times for women only. The view of the waterfall from the baths built into the cliffs right next to it is spectacular!

こちらは鬼怒川沿いに立地する宿で、部屋数が少なく静かにゆったり過ごせます。お部屋からも、貸切露天風呂からも鬼怒川を眺めることができて、お母様と親子水入らずなひとときが過ごせます。露天風呂はとても静かで秘湯の雰囲気が出ていてのんびりできます。

「第一滝本館」の温泉の魅力は、その種類の多さだけではありません。露天風呂の目の前には、登別温泉の源泉である「地獄谷」の荒々しい景色が広がります。もくもくと立ち上る湯けむりと硫黄の香りは、温泉地ならではの大迫力の光景です。昼は険しい山肌を、夜はライトアップされた幻想的な地獄谷を眺めながら浸かる温泉は、他では決して味わえない野趣あふれる秘湯体験になるはずです。

This is a solitary lodge of pure tranquility, nestled deep within the Daisetsuzan mountains. All five of its hot spring sources are 100% free-flowing, allowing you to directly feel the earth's bounty—from a gentle, lukewarm calcium spring to iron-rich, reddish-brown water. Immerse yourself in the open-air bath, surrounded by a primeval forest, and enjoy a long, luxurious soak while gazing at the untouched nature that changes with the seasons. The accommodations, centered around charming Japanese-style rooms, are spacious and designed for ultimate relaxation.

「層雲峡温泉 朝陽亭」の温泉は、秘湯と呼ぶにふさわしい趣があります。岩造りの露天風呂からは層雲峡の山々と岩肌が間近に迫る絶景を楽しめます。また、大浴場の大きな窓からは、大雪山系「黒岳」の山肌が見渡せることで、紅葉や雪景色など四季ごとの景色を楽しむことができます。温泉のあとは、夕食ビュッフェでお寿司やステーキ、目の前で調理してくれる天ぷらなどを食べれば、家族みんな大満足かと思います。

最寄り駅である鬼怒川公園駅から徒歩3分でアクセスでき、車がなくても行くことができるのでおすすめです。鬼怒川が一望できる部屋や露天風呂付きの部屋など様々な種類の部屋があります。和の雰囲気を存分に味わうことができますよ。温泉は、大浴場、露天風呂、貸切家族風呂の3種類。大浴場は大きな窓がありそこから鬼怒川の自然を見ながらゆっくり湯に浸かることができます。露天風呂は自然に囲まれた感じで秘湯感もりもりです。食事は地元の旬のものがいただける和食会席。事前に連絡しておけばアレルギー対策も可能な限り対応してくれます。

There is one large public bath for men and one for women, as well as one open-air bath for each. Both dinner and breakfast are made with seasonal ingredients and are served in your room, so you can relax without worrying about others. They use Tochigi Wagyu beef, yuba, and Koshihikari rice from Tochigi Prefecture. You can see the Kinugawa River from all rooms, including the relaxing Japanese-style rooms and Japanese and Western room with beds.

This quiet hot spring hotel is located in Asahidake Onsen, about an hour from Asahikawa, and has an exterior reminiscent of a European mountain resort hotel, with relaxing rooms. Although it is in the mountains, the full-course Western meal service is delicious, using ingredients unique to Hokkaido. Needless to say, there is a wonderful hot spring, but there are also three free private baths that you can enjoy whenever they are available. This is a recommended place for trips around Asahikawa.

もはや秘湯と呼べなくなっているのですが、北海道の知床半島へ行ってみませんか。おすすめのホテルは、「知床第一ホテル」さんです。オホーツク海に面した露天風呂があります。こちらのホテルは、北の海の幸がとても美味しいですよ。しかも、ボリュームがあります。

「秘湯を守る会」の会員になっているホテルの中でもお勧めだと思います。日常を忘れてちょっとした異空間を味わえる。ただ、私が利用したのが夏場で、虫の多さに少々驚きが隠せませんでした。（夜は部屋の明かりに寄ってきますので・・・）お風呂は時間帯によって男性・女性と入れ替わるので、時間を気にしながら入らなければならないのが忙しい気分になりましたが、趣のあるお風呂は大変満足のいくものです。

How about "Kyukamura Shikotsuko"? It is built on the shores of Lake Shikotsu, and is a relaxing inn surrounded by Hokkaido's nature. You can enjoy the natural hot spring baths while feeling the four seasons of Lake Shikotsu. Another plus point is that the food is delicious.

This inn has a homey feel, surrounded by nature and with a small number of guest rooms. The bathtub in the large communal bath is not very large, but the natural beauty spreads out before your eyes and you can enjoy the quiet environment. There is also a private open-air bath with a sofa room, so it was the perfect place to relax in private. There is also an affiliated hotel about a minute's walk away, and you can also use the large public bath there, so you can enjoy Visiting hot springs in different baths. By the way, this open-air bath was spacious. The dining area is a semi-private room, and the main course is a kaiseki meal featuring seafood unique to Yugawara. The famous soy milk sleet hotpot was also delicious. It is also in a good location as it is close to tourist attractions.

There are several Ryokan (Japanese inn) in Hanamaki Onsen. However, I thought that the source of the springs is the same within Hanamaki Onsen, so the water would be the same no matter where you stay. However, due to budget constraints, I stayed one night at this Ryokan (Japanese inn) and one night at another Ryokan (Japanese inn), and found that the water was completely different. The water here makes your skin moist and smooth. The waitresses were also very nice. I recommend it.

This inn is located in Okutsukyo Gorge, Okayama Prefecture, which is famous for its autumn leaves. The hot springs, known as "foot-welling artesian springs," are rare even in Japan. There is only one hot spring nearby, Kagamino Onsen, which is quietly nestled in the rice fields. The cold springs are less than 20 degrees and are slimy with hydrogen sulfide.

How about Kurokawa Onsen? I especially recommend Kurokawaso. It has the image of a quiet hot spring in the forest. There is also a private bath available by reservation. The atmosphere is historic, but also luxurious. For meals, I recommend the horse sashimi and sweetfish.

We recommend that you consider the Shiretoko Prince Hotel Fuunamiki in Shiretoko as one of your options. You can enjoy the hot springs while immersing yourself in the forest bathing atmosphere in the garden-style open-air bath 100% natural hot spring. You can fully enjoy nature here. Children can play freely in the kids' space, so it's a hotel that the whole family can enjoy.

This inn has special rooms with open-air baths, where you can enjoy a relaxing bath in your room while looking out at the natural scenery of the Kinugawa River. For meals, there is a wide variety of dishes made with ingredients unique to Tochigi, such as Tochigi Wagyu beef and yuba. There is Lying-down bath sauna, a reclining bath, a private bath, and other baths, so it is also recommended in terms of facilities.

It is a hidden area where the legend of the fallen warriors of the Heike clan remains. We recommend visiting it because it has the rare "Kazura Bridge." It is a little independent guest cottages from the main road, but you can enjoy the hot springs. There is also a retro bonnet bus, so please enjoy that as well.