According to Statista, 28.5% of visitors to Japan in 2023 enjoyed onsen facilities. Hot springs are a popular choice for those seeking relaxation and a taste of Japanese traditions.
In Kyoto, you can find peaceful hot springs just 30 minutes from downtown. Whether you prefer stunning mountain views or serene ocean scenery, Kyoto’s onsens offer a unique way to unwind.
To make your experience even better, don’t forget to bring your best travel towel for added comfort. Keep reading to discover more about these amazing onsen destinations.
Kurama Hot Spring
Just 30 minutes from Kyoto, Kurama Hot Spring is a popular spot with outdoor baths offering beautiful views of green mountains. It's a great place to relax after hiking nearby. You can also visit Kurama Temple close by. The hot spring has a restaurant serving tasty local food. Make your visit even better with an Imabari towel, known for its softness and absorbency.
The hot spring is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The outdoor bath costs 1,000 yen for adults and 700 yen for kids aged 4-12. Access to both indoor and outdoor baths costs 2,500 yen for adults and 1,600 yen for kids, which includes towels and a cotton kimono. You can also stay overnight at the nearby hotel and enjoy the baths for free.
To get there, take a 10-minute walk from Kurama Station or use the free shuttle service.
Kurama Hot spring
Image Source: https://www.insidekyoto.com/kurama-onsen
Ohara Sanso
Ohara is a small town in the mountains north of Kyoto. Even though it's part of the city, it feels very peaceful and different. In autumn, the trees turn bright red and orange, making it look amazing. The Sanzen-in Temple is the main attraction, but the town's hot springs (onsens) are also great to visit.
There are many charming inns (ryokans) in Ohara. These places have both indoor and outdoor baths, serve delicious local food, and offer traditional Japanese beds called futons on tatami mats. Some inns even have classes where you can learn traditional Japanese arts and crafts.
Ohara is easy to visit for a day trip from Kyoto. It's less than an hour away by subway or bus. The cost to use the onsens varies, but many inns have foot spas. For around 700 yen, you can enjoy a 40-minute foot soak with coffee or tea.
Sagano Onsen Tenzan-no-yu
Near Arashiyama in western Kyoto, Sagano Onsen Tenzan-no-yu is a large spa offering saunas and both indoor and outdoor baths. The outdoor baths use real hot spring water, providing a genuine Kyoto onsen experience. For a quick soak, there are also footbaths available. Enhance your visit with an Imabari towel for added luxury.
The spa includes a spacious sauna where attendants add fragrant water to the rocks, enhancing the experience. After relaxing, you can unwind in comfortable chairs or enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., with the last entry at midnight, Tenzan-no-yu is closed every third Monday. Admission costs 1,050 yen for adults and 500 yen for children over four. Towels can be rented for an additional fee.
To get there, take a train from Shijo-Omiya Station to Arisugawa Station, or a taxi from downtown Kyoto for about 2,000 yen.
Sagano Onsen Tenzan-no-yu
Image Source: https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/spot/02301-1700495/
Hanaikada Onsen
Located in Arashiyama, Hanaikada offers beautiful views from its baths, including sights like the Togetsu Kyo Bridge. Enjoy the best of Japanese hospitality with the softness of an Imabari towel.
Hanaikada features both public and private baths. The indoor baths are made from Japanese cypress, while the outdoor ones are crafted from bamboo, blending perfectly with nature.
To visit, take a 20-minute train ride on the JR San’in Line from Kyoto Station to Saga Arashiyama Station. There is also a shuttle service available until 6 p.m. daily.
The baths are open from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to late evening, depending on the bath type. Private baths are available for guests who are staying or dining at Hanaikada, so make sure to reserve in advance if you want a private bath with a view.
Shirahama Onsen
For those willing to travel a bit farther from Kyoto, Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture is a must-visit. Shirahama means "white sand," and its beautiful beaches are a big attraction. Unlike the urban or woodland onsens near Kyoto, Shirahama offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. With over 90 hotels offering onsite onsens, staying a few nights is recommended to enjoy the area, including its coral reefs.
Shirahama has six public baths, but only two have outdoor baths right on the beach, making them popular with tourists. One of these, Shirasuna, costs 200 yen to enter from May to September and is free the rest of the year. It is closed on Mondays and open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (6 p.m. in July and August).
To get to Shirahama from Kyoto, you can drive in about two hours and 25 minutes or take the JR Kinokuni Line train, which takes about three hours from Kyoto Station.
Shirahama Onsen
Amanohashidate Onsen Japanese Resort Monjusou
Amanohashidate is known for its stunning views and is one of Japan's top-three scenic spots. Located in northern Kyoto, this resort offers famous hot springs. Relax on the large terrace, enjoy drinks in the lounge, or unwind by the fireplace.
The onsen is believed to have skin-beautifying properties. Recently renovated, it features a Finnish sauna for men and a nano mist sauna for women.
After relaxing in the baths, dine at Mon, a restaurant serving seasonal local dishes.
Amanohashidate Onsen Japanese Resort Monjusou
Image Source: https://www.monjusou.com/04onsen/eng.html
Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto
Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto is a riverside resort overlooking the Hozu River, blending modern Japanese design with traditional hospitality. It offers luxurious amenities, including daily champagne service from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cafe Hassui, with views of Arashiyama.
Guests can enjoy a rickshaw service to and from the nearest train station. Nearby attractions include the Tenryu-ji Temple, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Fukuda Art Museum, all within walking distance.
The hotel offers Yuzunoha rooms with twin or king beds, each featuring a private cypress wood bathtub for your comfort.
Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel Kyoto
Image Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/
Shijo Kawaramachi Onsen Soraniwa Terrace Kyoto
Opened in June 2022, Shijo Kawaramachi Onsen Soraniwa Terrace Kyoto is just a minute's walk from Kyoto-kawaramachi Station. Even though it's in central Kyoto, you can unwind in the open-air hot spring bath sourced from the hotel's own natural spring. There’s also a stand-up bath that’s nearly four feet deep, allowing you to soak while upright. After your bath, enjoy the rooftop lounge with a panoramic city view and a footbath.
The hotel has three types of rooms: the Moderate Double with a 59-inch bed, the Superior Double with a 62-inch bed, and the Universal Twin, which is a spacious room with two single beds and is barrier-free.
Soraniwa hotel
https://soraniwa-hotel.jp/en/
Final Words
Kyoto's hot springs offer a variety of relaxing experiences, from mountain and city views to beachfront escapes. Each onsen destination provides a unique way to unwind and rejuvenate.
Equip yourself with the best for ultimate comfort and enjoyment during your onsen adventures. Visit our Japarcana collection page to find the perfect Imabari towel.