Yunokawa Hot Spring is both one of the oldest and one of the three best hot springs in Hokkaido. It dates back to 1653 when it became known for the tale that the heir of the feudal lord in Matsumae recovered from his incurable disease thanks to the hot spring water here. Two hundred years later, the same waters contributed to the healing of the wounded soldiers in the Boshin civil war (1868-1869). While taking a bath here visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the Tsugaru Strait separating Hokkaido and Mainland Honshu in all four seasons. In particular the night-time sight from the hot spring baths of the lights of the squid fishing boats out to sea is a charming common scene in Hakodate that attracts many hot spring lovers.

	Location	Yunokawa-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
	Getting there	From JR Hakodate Station: 28 mins by tram bound for Yunokawa, get off at Yunokawa-Onsen stop / 25 mins by Hakodate bus bound for Hiyoshi Eigyosho, get off at Yunokawa-Onsen bus stop
	Type of hotspring	Sodium chloride spring, Calcium chloride spring
	Healing virtues against	Poor blood circulation, gastroenteropathy, neuralgia, rheumatism, and others.

Noboribetsu Hot Spring is the first to feature in the lyrics of the popular song, "Ii yu da na" ("Good Hot Water") by the Drifters, a famous Japanese comedy group. According to a book of hot springs, there are 11 kinds of water here and it is nicknamed "The Hot Springs Department." Boiling water naturally gushes from springs in the mountains of the areas Jigoku-dani and Oyu-numa. The town's main street, Gokuraku Street, has the atmosphere of a long-standing hot spring town with a slight smell of sulfur. The statues of two mythical Japanese demons, oni, welcome tourists to the street. Many hotels have their own elaborate hot spring baths making this resort one of the most popular in the country.

	Location	Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido
	Getting there	From JR Noboribetsu Station: 15 mins by Donan bus bound for Noboribetsu Onsen, get off at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal
	Type of hotspring	Sulfur spring, Salt spring, Alum spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Chronic dermatitis, neuralgia, and others

The hot spring resort of Akiu near Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, features large modern hotels nestled along the banks of the Natori River against a backdrop of low, green mountains. The area is said to have been discovered in the sixth century. In the 17th century the hot spring was an exclusive retreat for the local feudal lords, and Date Masamune, one of the great feudal lords, is also said to have bathed here. The quality of the hot spring was rated so high that it was given a special title and called "On-Yu of Natori." It is known as a time-honored hot spring resort, and has become one of the three major hot springs in the Tohoku region, along with Iizaka in Fukushima Prefecture and Naruko in Miyagi Prefecture. The natural beauty of the area, with highlights such as Akiu Great Fall and Rairai-kyo Ravine, is a great attraction.

	Location	Akiu-machi Yumoto, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi
	Getting there	From JR Sendai Station: 55 mins by Miyagi Kotsu bus bound for Akiu Onsen, From Yakushi/Akiu-Onsen-Yumoto/Takuto Iryo (Medical) Center
	Type of hotspring	Chloride spring and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, gastroenteropathy, backache, and others

Kinugawa Hot Spring, discovered about 300 years ago, is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in the Kanto area. Since it is easily accessible from the Tokyo metropolitan area, it has been popular with vacationers who like to enjoy nature and hot springs. Local hotels used to cater mainly to group tourism, but recently more and more hotels have started to aim at individual travelers and are developing their own original features. The beautiful scenery of the ravine along the Kinugawa River provides seasonal enjoyment, such as Yashio azaleas in early spring, fresh leaves in summer and emerald green river water making a sharp contrast with autumn leaves. Tourists can also enjoy hiking in Ryuou-kyo Ravine and going down the Kinugawa River in a boat.

	Location	Kinugawa Onsen Taki/Fujihara, Nikko-shi, Tochigi
	Getting there	Get off at Tobu Railway Kinugawa-Onsen Station
	Type of hotspring	Alkaline simple hot spring
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, poor blood circulation, sprain, and others

Hakone Yumoto Onsen is a popular hot spring town and a gateway to sightseeing in the Hakone region. It extends from the Hakone mountain railway, Hakone Yumoto Station along the Hayakawa River to the tributary of the Sukumo River. This hot spring has a very long history dating back to the 8th century, and it has been chosen as one of the seven best hot springs in Hakone. The town prospered as a hot spring resort and a posting station during the Edo period (1603-1867). A legendary hot spring known as "the spring for washing one's legs" remains near Asahi Bridge over the Hayakawa River. It is said that Hojo Soun, one of the feudal lords in the Sengoku (Warring States) period (15th century), healed his fatigue from the battles by soaking his legs in the hot spring. Walking up Hakone Old Street along the Sukumo River from Hakone Yumoto, you can find Oku Yumoto Onsen, which is a hot spring surrounded by mountains.

	Location	Yumoto, Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimogun, Kanagawa
	Getting there	Get off at Hakone Tozan Railway Hakone-Yumoto Station
	Type of hotspring	Simple hot spring, Alkaline simple hot spring, Chloride spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, joint pain, poor blood circulation, skin care, chronic dermatitis, and others

Legend has it that Wakura Hot Spring opened about 1,200 years ago after a fisherman saw a white heron bathing itself in the spring water to heal an injury. Nowadays this hot spring town is the largest on the Noto Peninsula, with some well-known large hotels situated here. Drinking a little of the salty hot spring water is said to be good for your health and it is possible to cook boiled eggs in 15 minutes around the main hot spring. Additionally relaxing and massaging your feet in the foot bath, the bottom of which is covered with small round stones, is recommended, as is taking a refreshing walk in Bentenzaki Park, which commands a panoramic view of Notojima Island Bridge and Wakura Harbor.

	Location	Wakura-machi, Nanao-shi, Ishikawa
	Getting there	From JR Wakura-Onsen Station: 5 mins by Nanao bus bound for Wakura Onsen, get off at Wakura Onsen Bus Terminal
	Type of hotspring	Sodium chloride spring
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, rheumatism, anemia, and others

The traditional old town of Hida-Takayama Onsen with its various historical buildings and cultural sites retains a great deal of the atmosphere of the past. It is also known as "Hida's little Kyoto." Both sides of the streets are lined with old latticed buildings and there are several sightseeing spots such as the old street, a morning market along the Miyagawa River, and famous temples. This town is so popular that it has been nicknamed the "Hometown of Japan." In recent years, an increasing number of new hot springs have been found in the town and offer abundant hot spring water to many local hotels. A great many tourists flock to see the Takayama Festival which is held twice each year in spring and fall and is famous for its gorgeous parade of floats. These festivals give the visitor a first-hand experience of Japanese beauty and tradition.

	Location	Nishinoisshiki-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu
	Getting there	From JR Takayama Station: 10 mins by car
	Type of hotspring	Simple hot spring
	Healing virtues against	Arthritis, neuralgia, blood circulation, and others

Arima Hot Spring is located between Mt. Rokko and Mt. Atago in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. It has a very long history. The book the Nihonshoki (The Chronicles of Japan) says that the Emperor Jomei visited here in the 7th century. In the 8th century, the Monk Gyoki is said to have started treating sick people using the hot spring water here. The fact that many prominent figures and people in authority visited here, such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler at the time, is well-known. Although this hot spring resort has been hit by disasters, including earthquakes, on numerous occasions, it has recovered from them and is loved by many people today as a place which is modern as well as traditional, and is counted as one of the best hot springs in the Kansai region.

	Location	Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
	Getting there	Get off at Kobe Railway Arima-Onsen Station
	Type of hotspring	Strongly basic ferruginous sodium chloride spring, Simple carbon dioxide spring, Simple radioactive spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, muscular pain, dermatitis, and others

Dogo Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan with its history dating back 3,000 years. There is a myth that when a deity, Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, was suddenly taken ill, he recovered after bathing in this hot spring. It is well known because certain historical figures, such as Prince Shotoku, an ancient politician (573-621), Ippen, a Buddhist preacher (1234-1289), and Kobayashi Issa, a haiku poet (1763-1828) are said to have visited here. In addition the novel "Bocchan," written by novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916), was set in Dogo Onsen and consequently the place became famous all over Japan. The quality of the water is so soft that it is said to make one's skin smoother, which makes it very popular with women. It is very pleasant to wander down the streets leading from the Dogo Hot Spring main building, which has been designated an important cultural asset.

	Location	Dogoyuno-machi, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime
	Getting there	Get off at Iyo Railway tram Dogo-Onsen Station
	Type of hotspring	Alkaline simple hot spring and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, muscular pain, chronic gastroenteropathy, and others

Beppu Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort centrally and conveniently located in a downtown area around JR Beppu Station. With abundant entertainment and tourist attractions, it is a resort busy with tourists until late into the night. There are traditional style public bath houses, such as Takegawara Onsen which also has indoor sand baths. There is a plentiful supply of water flowing from the hot springs, with each hotel having access to their own source of the water.

	Location	Ekimae/Kitahama, Beppu-shi, Oita
	Getting there	Get off at JR Beppu Station
	Type of hotspring	Simple hot spring, chloride spring, Hydrogen carbonate spring, and others
	Healing virtues against	Neuralgia, rheumatism