12 Breathtaking Onsen Resorts To Visit This Autumn

No doubt about it—hot springs and autumn holidays make a perfect match.

It was a very long summer (year, maybe). The temperatures will soon begin to calm down, gradually paving the way to the much anticipated and stunningly gorgeous autumn. With the new season of course come new adventures, new ways to entertain ourselves and reboot our energy. Undeniably one of the best ways to do that in autumn is having a quiet onsen experience far, far away from the crowded cities of Japan. The following 12 hot spring resorts offer the ultimate refreshing experience: from unique baths and stay plans to exquisite cuisine and breathtaking scenery you’d want to picture in your mind forever.

If you haven’t made any plans for the next few months, here are a few outstanding resorts to soak in.

1. Hotel Matsumotoro (Gunma)

Just two hours away from central Tokyo and nestled at the entrance to the famous onsen town Ikaho in Gunma Prefecture, this quiet, family-friendly hotel boasts two scenic open-air baths (in addition to two indoor baths and a foot onsen) that have even served as healing waters for wounded samurais in the past. Surrounded by unique tourist spots, including the world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill and the magnificent Lake Haruna, this hotel is the perfect weekend getaway with plenty of opportunities for a quiet holiday in nature with the whole family. At night, enjoy an exquisite kaiseki (full-course) meal and sing your heart away at the hotel’s two karaoke rooms.

Where: 164 Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma Prefecture 
Stay: Cheapest weekday plans start from ¥10,000 per person 

2. Yubara Onsen Hakkei (Okayama)

Located in the mountains of Okayama Prefecture, this historic onsen prides itself with its natural waters. Yubara’s nickname is “Bijin-no-yu” (美人の湯, beautiful woman’s bath), thanks to its ability to make your skin softer and smoother. There is a mixed rotenburo (露天風呂, outdoor bath) right in front of Hakkei where men and women can wear towels or bathing clothes and enjoy the quality springs together for free at any time—perfect for couples chasing an onsen to gaze at autumn leaves in Japan. When you finished enjoying your bath, tour around the area for an authentic experience of rural living in Okayama: from fruit picking to strolling among lavender gardens and cycling around the spectacular Hiruzen highlands.

Where: 1572 Toyosaka, Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture
Stay: From ¥18,000 per person  

3. Yuyake Koyake (Hyogo)

Some find it awkward to bathe with a group of strangers—even in Japan. Having a private onsen in your room with splendid views of the Autumn mountains sounds like the perfect deal. Well, at Yuyake Koyake this is all possible! The onsen inn features 17 guest rooms equipped with rotenburo, as well as other open-air baths available by special booking. It also offers creative cuisine using only fresh vegetables from its own garden and other seasonal, locally grown ingredients. Dubbed “an oasis of green serenity,” this is the perfect getaway for busy urbanites.

Where: 187 Maenosho, Yumesaki-cho, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
Stay: From ¥27,280 per person

4. Kaisekiyado Suihoen (Gifu)

Suihoen is a traditional Japanese-style ryokan located close to the famous Shirakawago Gassho village in Gifu Prefecture’s Gero Onsen area. This area has long been regarded as one of Japan’s “Big Three” hot spring regions. One of the best features of this ryokan is its pride in serving traditional cuisine, especially local Hida beef and rice.

The rice is cooked on an open clay stove in large silver pots, giving it a very unique taste and aroma. This is a must-try delicacy that has won four consecutive gold awards and three consecutive grand prizes in Japan’s national Delicious Rice Contest. Suihoen features 19 rooms—nine of which have private baths—that allow guests to relax and rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit. As you bathe, you can overlook the breathtaking natural scenery of the surrounding countryside, may it be autumn or any other seasons.

Where: 2519-1 Mori, Gero-shi, Gifu Prefecture
Stay:  From ¥19,600 per person

5. Hotel Wakamizu (Hyogo)

Takarazuka in Hyogo Prefecture is mostly known for its powerful all-female musical theater troupes, but locals say there’s more to it than that: it’s a quaint onsen town boasting natural beauty, amazing food, and friendly people. Hotel Wakamizu offers visitors an elegant authentic Japanese experience as soon as they step in: the lobby exudes a quintessential Japanese aura, while the corridors are lined with flowers in traditional delicate ikebana arrangements, adding to the luxuriousness of the building.

The highlight, however, is the roof. It boasts a large open-air bath surrounded by flowers with a splendid view of the nearby town and river. The rose bath (pictured) open for visitors on Mondays and Saturdays is a truly refreshing experience, which will leave your skin soft and smooth.

As to food, we think it’s enough to say that Hotel Wakamizu was featured in the Michelin Guide Hyogo special edition (2016) and we can only recommend you to try their renowned kaiseki that pays homage to all four seasons.

Where: 9-25 Yumotocho, Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture
Stay:  ¥8,800 per person

6. Hazu Gassyo (Aichi)

Located near Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, Hazu Gassyo is a Japanese-style inn offering traditional hospitality in a peaceful and picturesque setting. It has only five rooms, making sure that each guest receives the ryokan’s highest omotenashi hospitality, which includes a full set of soul and body pampering—from exquisite food to a refreshing hot spring dip.

Enjoy a rotemburo made from traditional Japanese cypress while overlooking a beautiful valley of serene forests, rivers, and neighboring tea plantations. Lovers of traditional architecture will not be disappointed by the understated beauty of exposed beams, open fireplaces, and the use of ornate, wooden carpentry throughout the resort. The hotel building itself is two stories with high ceilings, and all rooms also have both living and bedroom areas that provide the feeling of a private villa. The lobby is cozy and inviting, with a real fireplace and a beautiful view of the valley from the balcony—making for a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Where: 18-1 Minamidaira, Toyooka, Shinshiro, Aichi Prefecture
Stay: From ¥16,000 per person

7. Lamp no Yado (Ishikawa)

If you’re traveling with someone you want to impress, count on this one. Lamp no Yado awaits you at the tip of the Noto Peninsula, at the base of a sheltered cliff face. Facing the Sea of Japan, the rotenburo offers spectacular views day or night and is illuminated with chochin (traditional lanterns) in the evening after the sunset. The ladies’ rotenburo is in a man-made cave, which allows privacy while adding a natural, rustic ambiance. 

Though the stay is impressive in itself, wait ‘till you see the food. Original kaiseki cuisine offers the freshest seasonal delicacies, served at a dining hall with signature lamps and views of the pool and sea. Private dining areas are, of course, also available. Visitors will also delight at the treasures of the local Wajima morning market—one of the largest in Japan. You can tour the 1,000 Hirata—rice paddies terraced into the cliff face—and the castle town of Kanazawa. One of the most popular onsen resorts in Japan, make sure you reserve well in advance.

Where: 10-11 Jike, Misaki-machi, Suzu-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Stay: From ¥20,000 per person

8. Kifu no Sato (Okayama)

There is a feeling of tradition as you enter the spacious main foyer of this ryokan—every detail enhances the atmosphere of history and an authentic ryokan experience. Kifu no Sato offers four bathhouses within the establishment for your comfort and relaxation. But what attracts visitors even more than the healing waters, fresh cuisine, and comfortable rooms, is the unique “samurai culture tour” the ryokan offers. Including plenty of hands-on activities sure to delight and excite, the tour offers you a visit to the Miyamoto Musashi museum and the samurai’s birth house, a sword drawing experience, and a taste of a feudal lord’s Travelodge meal. Enough said.

Where: 180 Yunogo, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture
Stay: From ¥11,165 per person 

9. Dai-ichi Takimotokan (Hokkaido)

A stay at Dai-ichi Takimotokan is an opportunity to experience a more tranquil and traditional side of Japan. In a true ryokan style, all but eight of the 399 rooms in Dai-ichi Takimotokan are furnished in traditional Japanese style, with an emphasis on natural materials. Over 2 million liters of geothermal water from five different springs flow through each day. This provides a constant stream that is continually refreshing each of the 30 baths. Add the beautiful panorama of green hills and the steam rising from Hell Valley and you’ll feel truly refreshed.

Each of the spa baths is made from different materials, including Japanese cypress, marble, granite, or tile. On top of having different mineral compositions, this imparts a subtle difference to your onsen experience. To help you cool off afterward, you will also find a bar serving beer, sake, and various non-alcoholic drink machines—or enjoy a drink while taking in the view in the outside bath. 

Where: 55 Noboribetsu onsenmachi, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido
Stay: From ¥3,300 per person

10. Noto no Sho (Ishikawa)

The Noto no Sho ryokan is a relaxed and peaceful haven for weary travelers. You can find it on a hill atop the Noto peninsula with all rooms facing the deep, blue Japan sea. The large, Japanese-style layouts feature semi-outdoor baths, allowing a deeper connection to the naturally beautiful area and soothing ocean views.

Noto no Sho invites you to try its high-quality, natural hot spring with a base alkalinity of 10.5 pH. The therapeutic properties of which are effective at treating a host of medical conditions: skin problems, movement disorders, neurosis, gastrointestinal disease as well as fatigue, and muscle stiffness. Only a 10-minute drive from the hotel, along the coastline you can see shiroyone senmaida, the 1,000-stepped rice fields; terraces built by hand hundreds of years ago by the local inhabitants. The shape of the fields contours the land and cliffs resulting in breathtaking views that you have to experience at least once in your life.

Where: Nebuta Onsen, Onomachi, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Stay: From ¥9,000 per person
URL: www.notonosho.co.jp

11. Hotel Iya Onsen (Tokushima)

One of Japan’s most unique hot spring experiences can be discovered in the remote, and we mean remote, Iya Valley deep in the dense heart of Tokushima’s forested mountains.

Hotel Iya Onsen boasts a jaw-dropping, heart-stopping location: perched on the edge of a steep gorge overlooking the Yoshino River. This bright blue artery is renowned for running through all four prefectures of Shikoku. While the clean and contemporary Japanese-style rooms offer cinematic mountain scenes from your window à la Sound of Music, getting to the outdoor onsen feels a bit more Indiana Jones: Bathers mount a cable car that slides down into the valley, from where a tunnel of wooden stairs continue further down to the riverside rotenburo. Once you’ve arrived, it’s pretty much you, the bath, and nature. No showers! The onsen water flows directly from the source and into the river, keeping it constantly warm and clean.

In spite of its remote setting, the food is as fresh and delicious as it gets. The extravagant multi-course kaiseki dinner and breakfast showcase the local, seasonal products sourced from the forest and the river, and it’s all to be enjoyed from their aerial restaurant where wide windows make the mountains look practically within touching distance.

Dubbed, the “Tibet of Japan”, the surrounding Iya Valley offers plenty of secret adventure, from the otherworldly kazurabashi hanging suspension bridges to the mysterious Kakashi no Sato scarecrow village, known as the “Valley of the Dolls.” If you’re seeking a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, onsen related or otherwise, Hotel Iya Onsen has it all.

Where: 367-28 Matsuo Matumoto Ikeda-cho Miyoshi-shi, Tokushima Prefecture
Stay: From ¥9,975 per person

12. Takamine Onsen (Nagano Prefecture)

The Takamine Onsen is waiting for you deep in the mountains of Takamine Highland in snowy Nagano prefecture. This breathtaking hot spring finds itself at 2,000 meters above sea level, a literal “bath above the clouds”. A log cabin at a glance, the interior of this two-story ryokan is traditional Japanese—all of its 23 guestrooms showcase a standard tatami-floored room with wooden fusuma doors.

Takamine Onsen offers four therapeutic bathing facilities—including the heavenly open-air “Bath Above the Clouds” rotenburo, the inn’s most popular attraction. A view to remember unveils every time you soak in this bath: a panoramic view of billowing clouds below the Takamine highlands.

The inn’s strategic location attracts guests throughout the year, be it hiking in spring and autumn or skiing in winter. Every night at 8:30 p.m., guests gather in front of the ryokan for a quiet star gazing relaxing therapy. You have to experience it to believe it. The ultimate emotional escape from the city, this ryokan is a true cloud No.9.

Where: Komoro City, Takamine Kogen, Nagano Prefecture
Stay: From ¥7,000 per person 

For a list of tattoo-friendly onsen in Japan, we recommend checking GaijinPot’s selection. Did you know that some onsen had mixed baths? Check it out!

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