The 15 Onsen & Hot Spring Days in Japan a First Trip Should Cover

From Osaka: Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko Day Tour - Himeji Castle: Japan’s great white fortress

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 339 reviews · 10 hours · from $53Our pick

Review of the Osaka Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen and Mt. Rokko day tour, including sights, costs, lunch, transport, and practical tips.

“Liu/Nick was very professional. He was informative and helpful to the guests. We learned a lot from him. He goes above and beyond to answer any questions you have and was the best tour guide we’ve had in Japan. Also, this tour allows sufficient free time and plenty of delicious food. We strongly recommend booking tours with Liu/Nick as your guide.”

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1-Day Tours, Nara Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Osaka: Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

2.Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · 10 hours · from $57

Review of Osaka’s Nara and Uji day trip, with deer, Todai-ji, matcha treats, Byodo-in, and a relaxing natural hot spring.

“Leo was great and funny excellent guide if you want to go to some cool places just make sure to spend the time wisely no lollygagging”

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Mount Fuji Tours, Onsen Experiences in Tokyo, Private, Spa & Hot Springs, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Tokyo: Private Tour to Fuji/Hakone – Onsen, Art, Nature

3.Private Tour to Fuji/Hakone – Onsen, Art, Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 10 hours · from $322Top rated

Review of a private Tokyo to Fuji and Hakone day trip with shrine visits, Lake Ashi views, art museums, and a tattoo-friendly onsen.

“Our day trip was one for the books. Greatly enhanced by our young guide Leny. Even though he is not Japanese, his passion for Japanese culture shone through his knowledge and passionate storytelling. As a person he was also very, very personable and such an interesting, relatable human being. It helped he had creative judgment as we made him co-director of our tiktoks. The itinerary itself was well thought through --- we went to a temple and an onsen...we did not get to see Mt. Fuji (it was cloudy) but that did not matter in the end. Thank you Leny!”

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Mount Fuji Tours, Onsen Experiences in Tokyo, Private, Spa & Hot Springs, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo – Onsen, Arts and Nature

4.Mt. Fuji, Hakone Private Tour from Tokyo – Onsen, Arts and Nature

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews

Review of a private Mt. Fuji and Hakone day tour from Tokyo, with scenic drives, shrine stops, tea, onsen, museums, and practical value advice.

“We were a bit unlucky as it was foggy and rainy, covering the view of Mt. Fuji. But the rest of the trip was very nice. Dominik our guide picked up and dropped us off at our hotel in Ginza. The drive was pleasant and the car was very nice and the seats were very comfy. He was very informative and accommodating. Very nice and memorable trip.”

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1-Day Tours, Mount Fuji Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Tokyo: Mount Fuji 5th Station & Onsen Day Trip

5.Mount Fuji 5th Station & Onsen Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 75 reviews · 1 day · from $50

Review of Tokyo’s Mount Fuji day trip with 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai, Fuji-view onsen, transport, costs, and practical tips.

“Let me preface this review by saying that the low rating is in no way related to the tour itself, nor is it about the events itself that prevented us from going on this tour, but the poor communication on the part of the driver. We got delayed getting to the meeting point, and I informed our driver that we’d be 10 minutes late to which he said “ok” and send us directions. 5 minutes later he said that he has to go to another meeting point, which is fair, and send us directions there. We said that we meet him there and rushed through half the Tokyo to get…”

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Spa & Hot Springs, Temple & Shrine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Fukuoka: Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Shrine Tour

6.Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Shrine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 72 reviews · 10 hours · from $50

Explore Mount Aso, Kusasenri, Aso Shrine, and Kurokawa Onsen on a scenic 10-hour day trip from Fukuoka for $50.

“Very friendly guide who translated Japanese to English as I was the only European in the group. very much appreciated. I had a great day! Many thanks!”

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1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Nagano, Nagano Tours, Private, Sake Tasting, Sake Tastings in Nagano, Snow Monkey Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

7.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $338

Review of Nagano’s private snow monkey, Zenko-ji, Obuse, sake, and onsen tour, with practical advice on timing, cost, transport, and value.

“We had the best day ever with Hori seeing the snow monkeys, Obuse town and the famous temple in Nagano. Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and adaptable to make sure all of our needs were met. The sites were fascinating, and this was one of the best days of our time in Japan. We highly recommend this tour and our guide.”

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Onsen Experiences in Tokyo, Ramen & Noodle Tours, Ramen Tours in Tokyo, Spa & Hot Springs, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tokyo: Mt Takao Tour with Ramen and Tattoo-Okay Hot Spring

8.Mt Takao Tour with Ramen and Tattoo-Okay Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 8 hours · from $120

Escape Tokyo for Mt. Takao’s monkeys, shrines, ramen, Fuji views, and a tattoo-friendly hot spring with a small English-speaking group.

“Awesome experience with Jordan who was just an amazing guide the whole day being really kind and knowing really well all the history behind every temple, statues, trees and all the things we saw. Ramen was excellent and finishing the day by going to the Onsen was just perfect and relaxing before going back home. Thanks again to Jordan for this day!”

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Nagano Tours, Snow Monkey Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours

Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

9.Snow Monkey & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour (Depart: Iiyama & Nozwa)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · from $79

See Nagano’s snow monkeys, cedar forest, Shibu Onsen, and a sake brewery on this practical 4.5-hour afternoon tour from Iiyama or Nozawa.

“Lovely to see the monkeys and enjoyed the Shibu onsen town. The tour operator accommodated our last minute change of day”

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Mount Fuji Tours, Onsen Experiences in Tokyo, Spa & Hot Springs, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

[Seasonal Limited] Mt. Fuji 5th Station &Hot Spring Day Tour

10.[Seasonal Limited] Mt. Fuji 5th Station &Hot Spring Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $50

Review this Mt. Fuji day tour from Tokyo, with the 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai, Fuji views, onsen time, and practical booking advice.

“i like the phase of our trip. sadly, we weren't able to see mt fuji bec its cloudy but we enjoy the rest of the itinerary. coco is a great guide! she shared infos on japan along the way and is very accommodating. will greatly recommend!”

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Full-Day, Hiking & Trekking, Onsen Experiences in Tokyo, Spa & Hot Springs, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt.Takao including Hot Spring

11.Full Day Hiking Tour at Mt.Takao including Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $119

Hike sacred Mt. Takao from Tokyo, visit Yakuo-in Temple, soak in an onsen, and enjoy a private guide-led mountain escape.

“Good service Assistance was efficient one cancellation of tour not expected , but replaced by very efficient guide his name is Bek, he was wonderful”

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Onsen Experiences in Osaka, Osaka Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Osaka: Solaniwa Onsen Hot Spring Visit

12.Solaniwa Onsen Hot Spring Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 51 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

Relax in natural hot springs, saunas, footbaths, and a rooftop garden at Solaniwa Onsen in Osaka for a flexible one-day visit.

“Love this family friendly onsen. Couldn’t work out how to get the lunch that we bought with our ticket and ended up having to purchase it again but overall we still would recommend the experience.”

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Mt. Fuji 5th, Oshino Hakkai, Onsen Full-Day Trip From Tokyo

13.Mt. Fuji 5th, Oshino Hakkai, Onsen Full-Day Trip From Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · from $56

Review of a Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo with the 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai, an onsen or outlet mall, guides, costs, and tips.

“It was a great time with guide Anna! Saw all the beautiful locations. Pickup and departures were timely.”

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Hiking & Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

14.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $80

Hike sacred Mount Kurama, visit Kibune Shrine, ride Kyoto’s mountain train, and unwind at an optional forest hot spring.

“Great hike up Mt Kurama. Philppe was an excellent guide who knows the way around the trail. He is attentive to our needs and even took the trouble to "track" down a monkey! Highly recommended.”

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Arashiyama & Bamboo Grove Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Kyoto Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Kyoto: Arashiyama Day Tour with Train, Boat, and Onsen

15.Arashiyama Day Tour with Train, Boat, and Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 270 minutes - 5 hours · from $150

Ride Kyoto’s scenic train, float the Hozugawa River, walk the bamboo grove, and soak in an Arashiyama onsen with a small group guide.

“The excursion was exactly what you needed to do in the area for Autumn. The boat experience was extremely unique and thrilling. The foliage was stunning and our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable”

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