N.B. We do not use plural forms for Japanese words, so onsen is always in the singular form.
I have compiled a number of highly regarded onsen from my own private database, along with highlights on Google Maps. The onsen, for those who do not know, is a hotspring. A mineral rich spring that comes up from the earth that people bathe in. In North America, most people snap photos of such places, while here in Japan the locals bathe in them. The hot spring is a source of healing and relaxation that many Japanese travel far and wide to soak in. Some Japanese regard the onsen as a rich part of their cultural heritage, while others just consider it a pastime, something they typically try to enjoy once a year.
There are many icons on my google maps, so what you'll need to do is zoom in closely to whatever area you are interested in. There should be some commentary there about all the places I have visited. This map is a work in progress so as the days and weeks go by I may begin uploading pictures for every single onsen in the list. There are more onsen, believe me. This blog has been a journey for me. Through my travels, I have come to love this country immensely, and sometimes the quirkiness of its people.
The nihonshu, onsen, Jukujo, Japanese cuisine,Tohoku, the distinctive four seasons, Shinkansen, Sea of Japan, Mt. Fuji, and both Yasukuni and Ise Shrines for me are what make Japan great. Other things just pass off as trivial and insignificant when paired up against my own preferences. Again, these are my own choices.
This map should serve as a guide for those who want to experience some of the best hotsprings in Japan. So feel free to leave a comment, either on my blog or on google maps.
Cheers,
Said
Great map!! Have you been to many onsens in the Gifu/Nagano area of Japan?
Japan Australia
Said
Japan-Australia,
Thanks for commenting. Yes. I have been to those areas. I have some places listed there on my google maps
Said
Thanks for the map; an excellent resource. It would be good if you were able to add a comment on the map tag to confirm if the water is genuine onsen or not for sento in Tokyo/Kawasaki/Yokohama, where the majority of sento don't have an onsen source, rather tap water infused with added chlorine; more of a swimming pool smell which I'm adverse to...my preference is to frequent genuine onsen sento, which more often than not means yellow/brown/black waters. For me, these places are the real deal and more therapeutic than non-onsen sento. If you have any recommendations for such places in Tokyo/Yokohama/Kawasaki region, I'd appreciate your suggestions. I'd be happy to send you a list of my favourite onsen sento. Out of interest, what's the name of the place that you referred to in your "do's and dont's" blog in Asahi-ku with yellow'ish onsen water and a sauna? Thanks in advance.
Said
Thanks for the map; an excellent resource. It would be good if you were able to add a comment on the map tag to confirm if the water is genuine onsen or not for sento in Tokyo/Kawasaki/Yokohama, where the majority of sento don't have an onsen source, rather tap water infused with added chlorine; more of a swimming pool smell which I'm adverse to...my preference is to frequent genuine onsen sento, which more often than not means yellow/brown/black waters. For me, these places are the real deal and more therapeutic than non-onsen sento. If you have any recommendations for such places in Tokyo/Yokohama/Kawasaki region, I'd appreciate your suggestions. I'd be happy to send you a list of my favourite onsen sento. Out of interest, what's the name of the place that you referred to in your "do's and dont's" blog in Asahi-ku with yellow'ish onsen water and a sauna? Thanks in advance.
Said
@John,
Thanks for your comment. I will do as you suggested.
Also, the name of the place is called Asahi Family:Asahi
Family Health Land-yu
Japan, 〒241-0002 神奈川県横浜市旭区上白根３丁目３４－３
+81 45-955-1126
Said
Thanks for the details. Here's one I liked in your neck of the woods. Silky-smooth 黒湯.
Kusatsu onsen sento
横浜市南区井土ヶ谷上町２１-２９
ＴＥＬ：０４５－７１２－２６１７
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ue3t-cb/spa/yokohama_kusatu/yokohama_kusatu.htm
Said
great artikel thnx for sharing
plz follow back brother
Said
I have lived in Japan for 16+ years and had no idea what a Jukujo was. I thought about the construction of the word for about an hour until I finally figured it out. A jukusei shita onna, right? Learn something new everyday. I'm also a sake enthusiast. Cheers.