An onsen (温泉) is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth. Onsen were traditionally used as public bathing places and today play a central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism.
It always feels like such a waste when it is grey and rainy for an entire weekend.So, what DOES one do on a rainy afternoon in Tokyo or Yokohama?Go to the spa, of course!There are several to choose from, depending on your location. LaQua in Tokyo, EAS and Manyo in Yokohama, Oedo Onsen M…(147 words)
Chiara
When getting into the onsen, be sure to enter bit by bit to attune your body to the heat. First your feet, then mid section, then fingers to shoulders, basically leaving your chest for last. Also, just progressing from your lower half to whole body is fine too.You probably only want to take about…(96 words)
Eddie
A common question we hear from travelers is, “If you could visit Japan at any time of year, when would you go?”One of the best things about Japan is that it’s truly worth visiting at any time of year! Every season has its highlights, and Japanese culture is remarkable in its appreciation of the…(350 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Hoeiso is a ryokan, a Japanese traditional style inn, situated in the beautiful green mountains of Hakone, right by a river. Hoesio is a family owned Ryokan, opened in 1956, with around 20 rooms that are big enough to fit a family. Enjoy indoor and outdoor onsen, and feast on traditional Japanese d…(170 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
Tokuyama Shoes has its home in Kawanehoncho, tucked away in the northwestern side of Shizuoka Prefecture, inland from Shizuoka City and away from the more famous parts of the prefecture, which is home to half of the sacred Mt. Fuji and also the Izu Peninsula, with its world-class onsen and sightsee…(444 words)
mikekato
Japan boasts a myriad of pristine beaches, picturesque lakes and waterfalls, and serine onsens like none other. Spending time in these waters can be very therapeutic for your body and your mind alike, but the fast pace of life can often deprive you of time to be able to fully utilize and immerse yo…(327 words)
Alex
Have you ever had that feeling that your mind is stuck with your work and you need to get away from the office for a while? Staying home is not an option because then, you will not stay focus on your backlog work. In such a case, I go to Kusatsu hot spring. It is three hours away from home in T…(537 words)
Claire
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Japan, with all its grinding work hours, high tech wizardry and futuristic architecture, can also offer spectacular vistas and natural phenomena. To witness this transformation when urban, turns to suburban and then downright country, we drove from the sea in Shon…(291 words)
Alana
Kusatsu is less frequented by foreign visitors given that it doesn’t have a train station, never mind a bullet train stop. That isolation is one of the reasons Kusatsu has managed to maintain its special atmosphere, but for those that want to go there it’s actually not difficult to get to.On my…(535 words)
AndrewShuttleworth
Okutama Town is located on the western edge of Tokyo. It is 40 miles west and two-hour train ride from Tokyo Station via Shinjuku and surrounded by green mountains but certainly within Tokyo Prefecture. It is a part of Chichibu Tama Kai National Park but major local tourist attractions are within s…(442 words)
Hagi
There are many so-called "cable cars" in Japan, but most are really ropeways. They are pre-attached to the cable and are drawn directly by pulling the cable. A cable car, on the other hand, is controlled by the driver. The cable, usually underground, is constantly moving. The driver chooses to …(243 words)
mikekato
You can see here that we have ordered Jumbo Ramen with Nori (seaweed) as one of the best toppings. Floating quietly in the hot and tasty soup is the Onsen or boiled soft egg. If you cut it open with your chopsticks the soft yellow yolk will flow out into the ramen soup and add that last amazing tas…(90 words)
I was at Fujikyu Highland the other day for a speech and from the window in the hotel I spied this unbelievable drop on their huger roller coaster. Yes, you are right, it actually inclines like that and you could hear the screams of delight all through the day. The park did not seem very crowded on…(125 words)
Omizu (mizu if you're not using the honorific "O") is the Japanese word for water. If you're visiting Japan you can be assured that the water from taps is safe to drink wherever you're visiting. However, if you really insist on paying 100 to 200 yen for a bottle of water you'll find plenty of brand…(279 words)
Joe Peters
It is a rare onsen (hot spring) where visitors can bathe in their bathing suits. When I first came to Japan way back when, I dreaded entering a hot spring area where naked bodies eased in and out of steaming mineral scented water. As I grew accustomed to the custom...I learned to practice the same …(431 words)
The "hot spring resort" has its roots in ancient Japan.In areas with bountiful hot springs, people would come and stay up to 3 weeks to relieve pent up stress and pain from agricultural work and such.The flow of information was limited back then, so people who gathered from afar, as well as the…(88 words)
Eddie
A general Japan guidebook can be great if you’re looking for general information on Japan travel.But if you’re looking for more specialized, in-depth information, most guidebooks won’t cut it. That’s why we love these specialty Japan guidebooks.*OLD KYOTO: A GUIDE TO TRADITIONAL SHOPS, REST…(472 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Recommended place for family, couples, and friends.Nagashima Onsen has it all.I went there last year stayed at a near by Ryokan for a night.The first day my friends and I went to the Theme Park.One of the many must rides is the Steal Dragon.It takes you up 97 meters feet dangled from yo…(208 words)
Yuuki I
Places to go in the Tokai area I recommend going to Hida Takayama.It is in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. 3 hour train ride from Nagoya station to Takayama station (3,350yen one way).The hotel I stayed at was the Takayama Ooan（高山桜庵）right next to the Takayama Station.The entranc…(300 words)
Yuuki I
I first visited Shibata in April 2013. Shibata is located in Niigata prefecture which is on the western coast of Japan's main island and is known for its pristine landscape. Within the prefecture is the second most extensive land area devoted to National Parks. Ijimino Park and Ominesan Sakura P…(171 words)
Dolores
Izu, in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a favourite go-to locale for both Japanese and tourists. Its seaside hotels, hot springs, and some of the freshest seafood in the country are well-known to many who come to treat themselves to a small piece of heaven.My favourite hotel to stay at when I visit is …(289 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
The “ski-hotels.jp” provides information about the popular ski resorts in Japan such as Niseko , Sapporo , Hakuba , Yuzawa , Zao and Nozawa Onsen , and recommended accommodation of the area.You can compare the price of accommodations listed in more than 30 online room-booking websites and find th…(76 words)
OH
It may sound strange if I tell you there is a place called Kanzan-ji(temple) that has a Shinto gateway. The place is about 10 minute drive from my office and it is by Hamana Lake.The temple was on top of the small hill overlooking the lake and Tomei expressway.There you can view Ferris wheel …(131 words)
kazmcqueen
Typical Kusatsu food fare includes onsen manju and onsen tamago ( eggs boiled in the onsens). But it is at the resort hotels and ryokan, that visitors can really be delighted with what Kusatsu has to offer.Hotel Sakurai offers a delicious 9 course kaiseki traditional dinner. A wonderful ma…(290 words)
Alana
I read recently about how it is very important to be able to retreat within yourself. Are you able to do that? Do you find peace and calm for retrospection as you walk around, take care of daily tasks or ride a bus?If you are like me, I bet a lot of the time, you are kind of on alert. One of my…(637 words)
I’m a sucker for a good gift shop. Before most every trip, one of the first things I’m researching online is what the best local souvenirs are to take home from a destination. When it comes to Kusatsu Onsen, one of the best ways to remember the experience is to take home some of the unique skincare…(409 words)
Petra
To properly enjoy Kusatsu Onsen, you really should make it an overnight trip. Staying for two or three days allows you the chance to fully explore the town and enjoy the benefits of the hot springs. Believe me, you’ll leave feeling like a new person.When booking your accommodations, there are t…(337 words)
Petra
When I talk to people about traveling in Japan, I normally get a response along the lines of I'd love to go, but it's just too expensive.It's true that Japan is an expensive destination, especially compared to other nearby destinations like Thailand. But that doesn't mean that it's impossible t…(721 words)
Alexlovetravel
“Winter is a season of recovery and rest,” wrote Paul Theroux, travel writer and novelist. But for Hokkaido, it is only just waking up. Once the snow has covered its vastness, the drift ice arrives, bringing along with it wildlife guests and natural marvels you will rarely glimpse elsewhere. As for…(747 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Follow the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido cycling route“The cycling route runs for about 70 kilometres across 6 islands and bridges of the Seto Inland Sea, linking Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture with Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture... The route itself is well marked with English signs and Eng…(453 words)
DeepJapan
The two most common traditional Japanese lodging facilities are ryokan and minshuku. The biggest differences between the two is usually the price and type of services offered. A ryokan is a full service facility, usually accompanied by a fairly high price. Many ryokan are located in popular tour…(98 words)
mikekato
Autumn is great season for hiking, what's so special about hiking in Japan is not only you enjoy autumn leaves, you get an opportunity to visit onsen (Hot spring). Of course, you have to choose place where onsen is available but it's so refreshing to have onsen especially after spending a day in hi…(54 words)
yukiroryo
Look for a KEISEI high way bus counter to get a ticket to Tokyo. The bus will take you to the Yaesu exit of the Tokyo Station, Sukiyabashi (Ginza), or Oedo Onsen Monogatari (an Onsen spa facility in Tokyo Bay area.) The transportation fee is only 900 yen per person each way.Please note that if yo…(83 words)
Hatha Yoga Lover
If you are staying by yourself then suggest to sleep over at a local Capsule hotel. Capsule hotels are unique invention of japan namely for the weary office workers ("salarymen") who travel long distances daily or for those looking for a cheaper and cleaner alternative for a good night`s sleep. If …(292 words)
Samir Bodhe
Now that the sakura blossoms are nearing their end, at least in Tokyo, the next 'season' coming up in Japan is Golden Week. (If you still want to see sakura head north and it's possible to have another couple of weeks or more of sakura blossom viewing.)Golden week this year starts from Tuesday,…(253 words)
Joe Peters
Golden Week - that period of many holidays in Japan - is upon us! For some, the long holiday period started on April 29 (Tuesday) and will stretch through Sunday, May 11. A "hearty" few even took April 28th off, giving them 16 days of vacation time with only 7 days of actual vacation days used. Man…(489 words)
Joe Peters