Top 7 Best Hot Springs (Onsen) in Shizuoka

Shizuoka is an ideal place to visit for an overnight trip to enjoy the hot springs when going to Japan. Below is a list of the top 7 best hot springs there.

Atami is the closest and the easiest to get to as it’s less than an hour’s ride on the Shinkansen. Shimoda is much further away, but if you’re visiting in the summer, Shimoda is a great place to go swimming. They also have a famous aquarium. Shuzen-ji Hot Springs is more up in the mountains, so if you want to enjoy being surrounded by nature, that would be your best choice.

Atami Hot Springs 

Atami, not too far away from Tokyo, is a popular destination for couples to get away for a weekend. It’s saltwater hot springs is reflected in the name, Atami, which means "hot sea". Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu was intoxicated with the hot springs of Atami and brought the water back to Edo (modern day Tokyo) to soak in.

Ito Hot Springs 

Ito hot springs village is one Japan’s three biggest hot spring villages along with Beppu and Atami. The hot springs is a weak brine spring so it is suitable for infants and elderly people to bathe in.

Bentenjima Hot Springs 

Bentenjima is located in Hamanako Lake. In the spring it’s famous as a spot to gather shellfish and in the summer as a beach to go swimming. You can enjoy outdoor activities along with the hot springs.

Gotemba Hot Springs 

This hot springs is located on the hillside of Mount Hakone. The entrance of the Otome Pass climbing route is nearby. The bath has wide windows with a magnificent view overlooking the city of Gotemba and Mount Fuji.

Kawazu Hot Springs

In the Kawazu area, there are seven hot springs each with their own unique characteristics. Even in Japan it is rare to have 7 hot springs all in one area. There are hot springs with a view of the sea and hot springs with a view of the mountain, so you can enjoy both here.