This large scale hot spring resort at the foot of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range exhibits an European atmosphere with its flower lined streets. A popular tourist destination, Sounkyo draws 3 million visitors a year, busiest during the autumn leaf season. The dynamic and overwhelming natural scenery includes a frozen waterfall during the coldest months, and a steep cliff standing over 600m in height and 24km in width.

	Location	Sounkyo, Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
	Getting there	From JR Kamikawa Station: 30 mins by Dohoku bus bound for Sounkyo, get off at the last stop
	Type of hotspring	Simple spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Dermatitis, neuralgia, and others

Sitting 900 meters above sea level, Zao offers a beautiful landscape throughout the seasons, whether hiking through its fresh greenery in spring, skiing past its ice covered trees in winter, or marveling at the colors of the autumn leaves. All year long, the faint whiff of sulfur in the air announces the town's true claim to fame as a hot spring resort. In addition to the lineup of traditional ryokan and hotels, Zao also features three large public baths, including "Zao Onsen Dai Rotenburo," a large bath which can hold 200 people at once!

	Location	Zao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata
	Getting there	From JR Yamagata Station: 36 mins by Yamako bus bound for Zao Onsen, get off at the last stop
	Type of hotspring	Sulfur spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Cuts, dermatitis, diabetes, and others

This popular hot spring resort has a history so long that its name appeared in ancient poetry anthologies from the 10th century. Its hotels and shops lined up along the stone mountain path offer visitors a traditional Japanese atmosphere. The city grew larger at the end of the Warring States period (16th century) with the influx of wounded soldiers seeking hot spring treatments. Since the Meiji period (1868-1912), Ikaho has been loved as a favorite summer resort by the Japanese Imperial family, politicians, writers, and foreigners living in Japan, ever since its endorsement by famed physician Dr. Erwin von Balz.

	Location	Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma
	Getting there	From JR Shibukawa Station: 24 mins by Kan-etsu Kotsu bus bound for Ikaho Onsen, get off at the last stop
	Type of hotspring	Sulfate spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, chronic gastroenteropathy, cuts, burns, and others

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty and natural grandeur of Lake Chuzenji, a symbol of Nikko, at Chuzenji Onsen. There are many types of accommodation, ranging from small inns to large resort hotels. You can spend a wonderful time at the lakeside resort watching the Kegonnotaki Waterfall, cruising on Lake Chuzenji, doing water sports, hiking or simply relaxing in a soothing hot spring bath.

	Location	Chugushi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
	Getting there	From JR/Tobu Railway Nikko Line Nikko Station: 45 mins by Tobu bus bound for Yumoto Onsen, get off at Chuzenji-onsen bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Simple sulfur spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, muscular pain, diabetes, and others

Senami Onsen offers scenic ocean views of the Sea of Japan's islands, green pine trees along the coast, and of sunsets on the sea. The poet Yosano Akiko was inspired by the scenery here to write as many as 45 poems. In all seasons, Senami is blessed with an abundance of seafood, but the salmon which swim up the Miomote River in autumn are not to be missed.

	Location	Senami Onsen, Murakami-shi, Niigata
	Getting there	From JR Murakami Station: 7 mins by Niigata Kotsu bus bound for Iwafune, get off at Senami-onsen bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Sodium chloride spring
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, joint pain, cuts, shoulder stiffness, poor blood circulation, and others

Lying along the Achi River as it flows across the southern edge of the Japanese Central Alps, Hirugami is one of the most famous hot springs in southern Nagano. Travelers come here not only for rest and recuperation, but for the beautifying effect of the water, said to smooth skin. While they relax visitors enjoy the natural surroundings and the charming morning market, full of friendly local vendors selling seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. Hirugami also offers a complement of public bath houses for those not staying overnight.

	Location	Hirugami, Achi-mura, Shimoina-gun, Nagano
	Getting there	From JR Iida Station: 32 mins by Shinnan Kotsu bus, get off at Hirugami-onsen-higashiguchi bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Alkaline simple sulfur spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, diabetes, constipation, gout, bronchial infection, and others

Although the hot spring resort was established quite recently in 2004, the Arashiyama area has been patronized by Kyoto aristocracy since the 8th century. Five traditional and prestigious Kyoto style hotels use this water, preserving the atmosphere of this ancient city.

	Location	Arashiyama, Nishigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
	Getting there	Get off at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station/Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station/Keifuku Railway Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station
	Type of hotspring	Alkaline simple hot spring
	Healing virtues against	Joint pain, neuralgia, and others

With 1,300 years of history, this resort area is one of Japan's three oldest. Since the 8th century it has attracted people to it's Pacific coast location. Besides its world class bathing facilities, visitors also enjoy the beautiful white sands and sawtooth coastline of Shirahama's beaches, assorted leisure activities, and gourmet seafood.

	Location	Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama
	Getting there	Get off at JR Shirahama Station
	Type of hotspring	Sodium chloride spring, hydrogen carbonate spring
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, female disorders, gastroenteropathy, cuts, and others

These hot springs opened in 1971, with spring water gushing from 1,250 meters below Lake Shinji. Modern hotels span the lakeside forming a hot spring resort. In front of Matsue Shinjiko Onsen-mae Station in the center of the city, a small foot bath flows with spring water, giving locals and visitors a chance to interact and relax. On the outskirts of the city near the spring's source, a Jizo (guardian of travelers) statue stands in appreciation of the spring waters that support the town, always patronized by those seeking to give thanks.

	Location	Matsue-shi, Shimane
	Getting there	From JR Matsue Station: 12 mins by Ichibata bus "Matsue Walker" clockwise loop line, get off at Matsue-shinjiko-onsen bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Sodium spring, calcium sulfur spring, chloride spring
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, muscular pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor weakness, poor blood circulation, and others

Kurokawa Onsen takes pride in the abundant flow of their hot spring's water and its beneficial effects. Each year it climbs higher and higher in the ranks of popular hot spring resorts. The temperature of the source water is 80 to 100 degrees centigrade, perfect for use in open air baths. There are 27 private hotels each featuring elaborate bathing areas and with a "hot spring pass" which is valid for 6 months at a cost of 1,200 yen*, you can visit your choice of any 3 of the participating open air bath houses. Enjoy bath-hopping in a colorful yukata (casual kimono) for an even more traditional experience. *As of September, 2008.

	Location	Kurokawa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto
	Getting there	From JR Aso Station: 50 mins by Kyushu Sangyo Kotsu bus bound for Beppu, get off at Kurokawa-onsen bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Sodium chloride spring, sulfate chloride spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, muscular pain, joint pain, and others