Tag: hot spring
Dogo Onsen: Wrapped in History and Charm
Just a short tram ride from Matsuyama city center in Ehime is Dogo Onsen, Japan’s oldest hot spring. Its main bath house has been the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away (2001). But despite a famous pedigree, the...
Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)
Nestled deep in the beech covered folds of northern Nagano prefecture, Nozawa Onsen is a picturesque village, home to 4,000 people. Sitting at the foot of Mount Kenashi, it comes alive in winter with one of the...
Nozawa Onsen Stamp Trail: A Great Summertime Activity
If there’s one thing that comes to mind when I think of Japanese tourism, it’s stamps. All over the country, there are small tables set up at attractions with an ink-pad and intricately designed stamp for visitors...
Nozawa Onsen’s Free Hot Springs (Soto-yu)
Nozawa Onsen’s heavy snowfall and abundant powder have attracted the winter sports crowds for over half a century, cementing its reputation as a world-class ski resort. But before skiing was introduced to this part of the world,...
Ancient History and Supreme Relaxation at Arima Onsen
A blissful soak in an onsen is a must-do experience in Japan. However, not everybody has the time or money to splurge on a stay in a ryokan. For those wanting an authentic and picturesque hot spring day trip, Arima Onsen is...
Why you should visit Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu Onsen
Twenty thousand years ago, the eruption of Hokkaido’s Mt. Hiyoriyama changed the surrounding landscape forever. The force of it rippled for kilometres to form an eerie, steaming volcanic zone with hissing geysers and a thick sulphurous odour....
Bathing in the Buff At Kurama Onsen’s Open-Air Bath
Tired body? Looking for a break from the tourist crowds of Kyoto? A day trip to Kurama Onsen might be just what the doctor ordered. Located less than an hour from the city, Kurama is a rural, mountainous retreat, lush with cedar...
Things to do in Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture
Japan, like other countries located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, is volcanically active and prone to numerous earthquakes. The four tectonic plates underneath this island nation cause daily tremors and are responsible...
The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11
On day 11 of our trip, we left Fukuoka and after a brief and unexpected ramen lunch, found ourselves in the small town of Hitoyoshi. Owing to its rich history and culture, Hitoyoshi touts itself as the “Little Kyoto” of Kyushu. The...
Caves, Hot Springs, and Sunsets: Why You Need to Visit Enoshima Island: Part 2
Welcome to the final instalment of our Enoshima Island guide. Now that you’ve heard the legend and toured the shrines, it’s time to dig into the rest of the island’s activities. Our previous guide brought you to the far side of the...
