Find Secluded Hot Springs in Japan | Hidden Onsen Map & Rankings
Secluded hot springs (hitou) are onsen tucked away deep in the mountains or in places that are hard to reach, where getting there is part of the reward. On this page you can explore these hidden onsen from across Japan using a map and a list.
From a ranking based on our original 'seclusion score' to regional entry points and frequently asked questions, everything you need to start exploring Japan's secluded hot springs is gathered on one page.
What are secluded hot springs?
A secluded hot spring (hitou) is an onsen that quietly springs up deep in the mountains, in a gorge, or somewhere with poor access. Unlike large, heavily developed onsen resorts, the journey to reach one and the untouched nature surrounding it become part of the experience — they are cherished as onsen where the visit itself holds value.
There is no strict definition, but the term usually refers to lone mountain inns, open-air baths at the end of a hiking trail or a rough forest road, and small lodges that keep serving free-flowing natural spring water. Quietness, water quality, and scenery all combine to create each spring's unique sense of seclusion.
Japan has a long culture of secluded hot springs, protected over the centuries through their ties to healing baths and religious faith. This page introduces such hot springs from across the country alongside our original 'seclusion score' and makes them easy to explore from a map and a list.
Explore the map
Use the map to find secluded hot springs and onsen in the area you want to visit. Tap a pin to open that spot's detail page.
What is the seclusion score?
The 'seclusion score' is our original measure of how secluded a hot spring feels. We rate each of the following three axes from 1 to 5 and use their average as the overall seclusion score.
Hard-to-reach secluded hot springs
Evaluates the overall difficulty of reaching the hot spring from a town, considering road conditions, driving difficulty, walking time from parking, and seasonal restrictions such as winter closures.
NaganoAkadake Kousen
Mineral Spring
NaganoHonsawa Hot Spring WildBath
Sulfur Spring, Calcium - Magnesium - Sulfate Spring
TokyoJinata Hot Spring
Sulfate Spring, Iron Spring
OitaHokkein Hot Spring
Calcium （ - Magnesium ） - Sodium - Bicarbonate - Sulfate Spring
TochigiSantokoya
Simple Hot Spring
AkitaIpponmatsu Hot Spring
Sulfur Spring
TochigiNikkou swa onsen
Sulfur-containing - Sodium - Chloride Spring, Sodium - Chloride - Bicarbonate Spring, Sulfur-containing - Sodium - Chloride - Bicarbonate Spring (Hydrogen Sulfide Type)
TokyoMatsugashita miyabi yu
Iron Spring
Secluded hot springs with standout scenery
Evaluates the surroundings and the atmosphere while bathing, looking at natural richness, a sense of seclusion, and scenic beauty.
NaganoYumata Hot Spring
Sulfur Spring
AkitaAkita-Yakeyama Ioutori-no-Yu
Simple Acidic Spring
GunmaDouko no yu (Wild Hot Spring Onsen)
Sulfur Spring
ToyamaTakamagahara Onsen
Sulfur Spring
AkitaIpponmatsu Hot Spring
Sulfur Spring
MiyazakiEbino Kogen Onsen
Bicarbonate Spring
OitaHokkein Hot Spring
Calcium （ - Magnesium ） - Sodium - Bicarbonate - Sulfate Spring
AomoriOku-Yagen Onsen Ganso Kappa no Yu
Simple Hot Spring
Secluded hot springs of exceptional value
Evaluates the value of the hot spring itself, including whether it offers free-flowing source water, distinctive spring quality, and ties to history and local culture.
NaganoYamada Onsen Ooyu
Sulfur-containing - Sodium - Calcium - Chloride - Sulfate Spring (Hydrogen Sulfide Type)
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Nakao no Yu
Sulfur Spring, Sodium - Calcium - Chloride Spring, Sulfate Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Kawarayu
Sulfur Spring, Sodium - Calcium - Chloride Spring, Sulfate Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Shinden no yu
Sulfur Spring, Sodium - Calcium - Chloride Spring, Sulfate Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Juodo no Yu
Sulfur Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Ohyu
Sulfur Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Akiha no yu
Sulfur Spring
NaganoNozawa Hot Spring Shinyu
Sulfur Spring, Sulfate Spring, Sodium - Calcium - Chloride Spring
The five seclusion levels
- Standard
- Slightly Secluded
- Secluded
- Very Secluded
- Extremely Secluded
Seclusion score ranking
Hot springs with the highest overall seclusion score, listed from the top.
46 secluded hot springs
NaganoYumata Hot Spring
Sulfur Spring
FukushimaNumajiri
Sulfur Spring
Kajiyama Hot Spring Motoyu
Sodium - Bicarbonate Spring, Chloride Spring
TochigiSantokoya
Simple Hot Spring
Nakagake onsen
NaganoHonsawa Hot Spring WildBath
Sulfur Spring, Calcium - Magnesium - Sulfate Spring
Iwama Onsen Yamazaki Ryokan
Sodium - Chloride Spring
Akusekijima Island Kaichu HotSpring
TochigiNikkou swa onsen
Sulfur-containing - Sodium - Chloride Spring, Sodium - Chloride - Bicarbonate Spring, Sulfur-containing - Sodium - Chloride - Bicarbonate Spring (Hydrogen Sulfide Type)
ToyamaTakamagahara Onsen
Sulfur Spring
Kinkayu Onsen
Sulfur Spring (Hydrogen Sulfide Type)
Renge Onsen Hakubadake Renge Onsen Lodge
Simple Acidic Spring, Magnesium - Bicarbonate Spring, Simple Sulfur Spring, Acidic - Aluminum-containing - Sulfate Spring
Find secluded hot springs by region
Explore the secluded hot springs and onsen of the region you want to visit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a secluded hot spring?
A secluded hot spring (hitou) is an onsen that quietly springs up deep in the mountains, in a gorge, or in a place with poor access. Unlike large, developed onsen resorts, the appeal lies in the journey to reach it and the untouched nature around it — it is cherished as a hot spring where the visit itself holds value.
What is the seclusion score?
The seclusion score is our original measure of how secluded a hot spring feels. We rate three axes — access (difficulty to reach), scenery/atmosphere, and onsen value — each from 1 to 5, and express the average as an overall seclusion score ranging from 1 ('Standard') to 5 ('Extremely Secluded').
Are there secluded hot springs that are easy for beginners?
Yes. We recommend starting with spots rated 1 to 2, where you can drive on paved roads right up to the facility. Once you get used to it, you can gradually take on more serious secluded hot springs rated 3 and above that involve mountain roads or some walking.
What is the difference between noyu and secluded hot springs?
Noyu are hot springs that spring up naturally in the wild with no changing rooms or built baths, making them an especially wild type of secluded hot spring. Secluded hot springs also include lone inns and day-use facilities. If you want to search for noyu only, please also use our noyu map page.
How do I use the secluded hot spring map?
Tap a pin on the map to open each hot spring's detail page, where you can check access directions, spring quality, and the seclusion score. You can zoom and pan to find nearby springs, or open the full-screen map page to explore a wider area in detail.