Top 100 Hot Springs in Japan
[No. 38] Japan's Top 100 Hot Springs
The Tourism Economics Newspaper Company has selected the 38th "100 Best Hot Springs in Japan," chosen by votes from travel agencies and OTAs.
The "Top 100 Hot Springs in Japan" was launched in 1987 to understand the support and evaluation of hot spring resorts by travel agencies. The ranking also aims to raise awareness of local stakeholders in regional development and promote the revitalization of hot spring resorts across the country.
The poll asked for cooperation from travel agencies such as JTB, KNT-CT Holdings, Nippon Travel Agency, and Tobu Top Tours, as well as OTAs such as Jalan.net and Rakuten Travel. Votes were accepted by postcard or online voting from July 1, 2024, until the end of October.
The total number of valid votes, excluding those with incomplete entries, was 2,292. Of these, 1,178 were postcard votes and 1,114 were online votes. As up to five hot springs can be listed per vote, the total number of votes was 9,203.
Based on the results of the vote, a selection committee was held on November 25th at the headquarters of the Tourism Economics Newspaper Co., Ltd., by the "100 Best Hot Springs in Japan Executive Committee," which is made up of Japan's major tourism organizations, to decide the 38th "100 Best Hot Springs in Japan."
Major travel agencies and OTAs that received votes (in no particular order):
JTB Group companies, KNT-CT Holdings Group companies, Nippon Travel Agency Group companies, Tobu Top Tours, Yomiuri Travel, T-LIFE Holdings Group companies, JR East View Tourism & Sales, JALPAK, ANA Sales, Meitetsu Tourist Service, Keio Tourist, Nokyo Tourist, Hankyu Travel International, HIS, Big Holiday, Okinawa Tourist, Odakyu Travel, Nishitetsu Travel, M.O. Tourist, Keisei Travel Service, Hitachi Travel Bureau, Rakuten Travel, Jalan, Yuko Yuko, Relax, Best Reserve, Ikyu, Expedia, Booking.com, Trip.com, etc.
Members of the Japan Hot Springs Top 100 Executive Committee (in no particular order)
Akihito Sai, Chairman of the Japan Tourism Association; Yutaka Seki, Executive Director of the Japan Spa Association; Yukihiro Aoki, Executive Director of the Japan Ryokan and Hotel Association; Kenji Harada, Secretary General of the National Federation of Ryokan and Hotel Associations; Kenichi Nonami, Director of Domestic Travel Promotion Department, Japan Association of Travel Agents; Hidetoshi Inoue, Secretary General of the All Nippon Travel Agents Association; Shuji Okawado, Director of Regional Cooperation Department, Japan National Tourism Organization; Shinichi Goto, Chief Researcher, Tourism Research Department, Japan Travel Bureau Foundation; Tomoko Tsumita, President, Tourism Economics Newspaper Co., Ltd.
1st to 25th place
Kusatsu Onsen ranked first for 22 consecutive years
Kusatsu Onsen appears to have garnered votes mainly from the Tokyo metropolitan area, and maintained its top position for the 22nd consecutive year. The town is being developed based on a mid- to long-term perspective across the region, and the development of scenery and facilities centered around the Yubatake hot springs is thought to have been highly praised. In fiscal 2024, the town is also working on the development of the Classic Area, the construction of Momiji Park, and the renovation of the bus terminal.
01st place
Kusatsu Onsen
[Gunma Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Ichii , Kusatsu Onsen Boun , Naraya , Hotel Sakurai , Yorokobi no yado Takamatsu , Tsutsujitei , Tokinoniwa
Second place was Dogo Onsen, and third place was Gero Onsen.
Dogo Onsen in second, is likely boosted by the fact that the main building of Dogo Onsen will reopen for business in July 2024 after a five-and-a-half-year hiatus. It has risen from third place in the previous year to second place. Since construction began in January 2019, Dogo Onsen Main Building has been successful in staying open and attracting customers while continuing with preservation and repair work.
Coming in third was Gero Onsen. In addition to the appeal of its hot springs, it is highly regarded for its excellent accommodation facilities, gourmet food, and events, and this is the fifth consecutive year that it has been in the top three. The Gero Onsen Tourism Association, which has been selected as a "pioneering DMO" by the Japan Tourism Agency, is also attracting attention from across the country for its regional development.
02nd place
Dogo Onsen
[Ehime Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Yamatoya Honten , Yamatoyabesso, Dogokan , Hotel Hanayuzuki, Dogo Prince Hotel , Bettei Oborozukiyo, Hotel Tsubakikan , Funaya
03rd place
Gero Onsen
[Gifu Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Suimeikan , Tonight, Shogetsu playing in the sky , Ogawaya, Yunoshimakan
04th place
Beppu Hachiyu
[Oita Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Shiragiku, Suginoi Hotel, Bamboo and Camellia Inn Hana Beppu
05th place
Arima Onsen
[Hyogo Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hyoe Koyokaku , Arima Grand Hotel, Gekkoen Korokan, Kinzan
06th place
Noboribetsu Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Noboribetsu Onsen Takinoya , Iwai no Yado Inn Noboribetsu Grand Hotel, Bourou NOGUCHI Noboribetsu , Takimotokan, Hotel Mahoroba
07th place
Ibusuki Onsen
[Kagoshima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Ibusuki Hakusuikan, Ibusuki Shusuien
08th place
Kurokawa Onsen
[Kumamoto Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Yusai, Kurokawaso, Yamamizuki
09th place
Kinosaki Onsen
[Hyogo Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Nishimuraya Honkan, Nishumuraya Hotel Shogetsutei
No.10
Hakone Hot Springs
[Kanagawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Gora Kadan, Gorahanaougi Madokano-mori Ten-yu , Hakone Kowakien Setsugetsuka, Tenseien , Hotel Kajikaso , Hotel Okada Okada, Hakone Ginyu , Fujiya Hotel
No.11
Yufuin Onsen
[Oita Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Kamenoi Bessou, Yufuin Tamanoyu, Yufuin Sansuikan
12th place
Ikaho Onsen
[Gunma Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Fukuichi, Hotel Kogure
13th place
Wakura Onsen
[Ishikawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Kagaya, Aenokaze, Japanese inn Notoraku
No.14
Atami Onsen
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Atami Bay Resort Korakuen , Furuya Ryokan
15th place
Okuhida Hot Springs
[Gifu Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Okuhida Garden Yakedake , Shin Hotaka Onsen Yama no Hotel, Miyama Ouan
16th place
Tamatsukuri Onsen
[Shimane Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Kasuien Minami , Hotel Gyokusen
No.17
Ginzan Onsen
[Yamagata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Ginzanso
No.18
Tsukioka Onsen
[Niigata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Seifuen , Shiratama no Yu Senkei, Shiratama no Yu Kahou
No.19
Nyuto Onsen Village
[Akita Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Tsurunoyu Onsen
No.20
Kinugawa Kawaji Hot Springs
[Tochigi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Asaya , Kinugawa Grand Hotel Yume no Toki , Kinugawa Onsen Hotel , Kinugawa Kanaya Hotel
No.21
Zao Onsen
[Yamagata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.22
Tokachigawa Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel
No.23
Awara Onsen
[Fukui Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Matuyasensen , Grandia Hosen , Tsuruya , Mimatsu
No.24
Manza Onsen
[Gunma Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.25
Yamashiro Onsen
[Ishikawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Yunokuni Tensho Tensho, Tachibana Shikitei , Rurikoh, Hatori
26th to 50th place
No.26
Ureshino Onsen
[Saga Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Taishoya, Wataya Besso
No.27
Hirugami Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hirugami Grand Hotel Tenshin , Yurui no Yado Keizan
No.28
Akiu Onsen
[ Miyagi Prefecture ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Sakan, Saryou Souen, Hotel New Mitoya, Ryokusuitei
No.28
Kirishima Onsen
[Kagoshima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No. 30
Misasa Onsen
[Tottori Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Misasakan , Izanroiwasaki
No.31
Naruko Onsen
[ Miyagi Prefecture ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Naruko Hotel, Naruko Kankou Hotel
No.32
Shima Onsen
[Gunma Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Shima Tamura, Shima Yamaguchikan
No.32
Minakami 18 baths
[Gunma Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Matsunoi Gensen Yunoyado , Bettei Senjuan , and Ryokan Tanigawa
No.32
Shirahone Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Shirafune Grand Hotel , Yumoto Saito Ryokan
No.35
Yudanaka Shibu Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Issa no Komichi Biyu no Yado , Rekishi no Yado Kanaguya
No.36
Yunokawa Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.37
Jozankei Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Jozankei Manseikaku Hotel Milione , Nukumori no Yado Furukawa, Jozankei View Hotel
No.37
Nanki Shirahama Onsen
[Wakayama Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
SHIRAHAMA KEY TERRACE HOTEL SEAMORE , Musashi, Shiraraso Grand Hotel
No.39
Hiraiso Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
No.39
Yamanaka Onsen
[Ishikawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hanamurasaki
No.41
Unazuki Onsen
[Toyama Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.42
Unzen Onsen
[ Nagasaki Prefecture ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Yuyado Unzen Shinyu , Unzen Fukudaya, Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan, Azumaen
No.43
Kamisuwa Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.43
Hida Takayama Onsen
[Gifu Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Honjinhiranoya Kachoan , Takayama Green Hotel, Hotel Associa Takayama Resort, Hida Hotel Plaza
No.45
Sukayu Onsen
[Aomori Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Sukayu Onsen Ryokan, Hakkoda Hotel
No.45
Nozawa Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
No.45
Shuzenji Onsen
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Asaba, Yagyu no Sho, Sora Togetsusou Kinryu
No.45
Nagatoyumoto Onsen
[Yamaguchi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Otanisanso , Bettei Otozure
No.49
Hanamaki hot spring resort
[Iwate Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Osawa Onsen Sansuikaku , Kashoen, Musubi no Yado Airinkan, Yukaen
No.49
Isawa Onsen
[Yamanashi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
51st to 75th place
No.51
Nagaragawa Onsen
[Gifu Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.52
Akanko Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Akan Yukyu no Sato Tsuruga, Hinaza
No.53
Yugawara Onsen
[Kanagawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Fukiya
No.54
Inatori Onsen
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Inatori Ginsuiso , Inatoriso , Hama- Hamanoyu
No.55
Kawayu Hot Springs
[ Hokkaido ]
56th place
Sounkyo Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Taisetsu ONSEN & CANYON RESORT
No.57
Bohata Onsen
[Fukushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.58
Utoro Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort, Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
No.59
Toyako Onsen
[ Hokkaido ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lake side terrace , The Lake View TOYA Nonokaze Resort
No.59
Kaminoyama Onsen
[Yamagata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.59
Echigo Yuzawa Onsen
[Niigata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.62
Matsunoyama Hot Springs
[Niigata Prefecture]
No.62
Kannon Onsen
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.62
Hitoyoshi Onsen
[Kumamoto Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.62
Yamaga Hirayama Onsen
[Kumamoto Prefecture]
No.66
Ito Hot Springs
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
No.66
Kaike Onsen
[Tottori Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
68th place
Nasu Hot Springs
[Tochigi Prefecture]
69th place
Tamagawa Onsen
[Akita Prefecture]
69th place
Takayu Onsen
[Fukushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Ryokan Tamagoyu
69th place
Konpira Hot Springs
[Kagawa Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakura no Sho , Yumoto Konpira Onsen Hana no Yu Koubaitei
No.72
Higashiyama Onsen
[Fukushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Onyado Toho
73rd place
Shiobara Onsen
[Tochigi Prefecture]
No.74
Yunishigawa Onsen
[Tochigi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.75
Kintarou Onsen
[Toyama Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
76th to 100th place
76th place
Furoufushi Onsen
[Aomori Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Furoufushi Onsen
76th place
Ogoto Onsen
[ Shiga Prefecture ]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Yumotokan, Kyooumi
76th place
Yumura Onsen
[Hyogo Prefecture]
76th place
Aso Hot Springs
[Kumamoto Prefecture]
80th place
Atsumi Onsen
[Yamagata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Bankokuya , Tachibanaya
80th place
Ashinomaki Onsen
[Fukushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Ookawaso, Marumine Kanko Hotel
80th place
Shimoda Hot Springs
[Shizuoka Prefecture]
83rd place
Niseko Hot Springs
[ Hokkaido ]
83rd place
Toba Onsen village
[Mie Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Todaya , Sun Urashima Yuki no Sato , Toba Seaside Hotel
85th place
Nikko Yumoto Onsen
[Tochigi Prefecture]
85th place
Nanki Katsuura Onsen
[Wakayama Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
85th place
Sumoto Onsen
[Hyogo Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Newawaji , Awaji Yumesenkei
85th place
Iyaonsen Onsen
[Tokushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
89th place
Asamushi Onsen
[Aomori Prefecture]
89th place
Kawaguchiko Onsen
[Yamanashi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Wakakusa no Yado Maruei , THE KUKUNA , Shuhoukaku Kogetsu , Ubuya
89th place
Tobira Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
89th place
Senami Onsen
[Niigata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
89th place
Nagashima Onsen
[Mie Prefecture]
No.94
Tsunagi Onsen
[Iwate Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Shion , Shikitei
No.94
Bandai Atami Onsen
[Fukushima Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
Hotel Hananoyu no Yu, Shikisai Ichiriki
No.94
Bessho Onsen
[Nagano Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.97
Tendo Onsen
[Yamagata Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.97
Kamogawa Onsen
[Chiba Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
No.97
Nishiyama Onsen
[Yamanashi Prefecture]
■ 5-Star Ryokans
100th place
Sakunami Hot Springs
[ Miyagi Prefecture ]