Hot springs are a true institution in Japan. They are deeply rooted in the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun and feature prominently in local tourism offerings. You can find popular city baths and wellness spas, as well as hot springs set amidst nature, offering spectacular views of Mount Fuji or distant temples. If this appeals to you, it is certainly a magical experience to try—but why not treat yourself to something more absurd, strange, or even “alien”? Consider the hot springs in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture (at the very foot of Mount Fuji)—specifically the Yunessun spa, where you can bathe in… just about anything you can imagine!
How to get to the spa?
The main airports for reaching the Hakone hot springs are Tokyo’s two major international hubs: Haneda (HND), located 75 km away, and Narita (NRT), which is further out at approximately 100 km. By booking a private chauffeur service dedicated exclusively to you and your needs, you can travel from either airport to your destination, passing along much of the Tokyo Bay coastline and through various districts of the capital. Your route will also take you through Yokohama and Machida. Sights you can admire along the way include Tokyo Disneyland, the temples of Shinagawa, the Minato Mirai district, Sankeien Garden, and Machida’s Onsen Roten Park. Speaking of “onsen“, this is the Japanese word for spa — specifically, natural thermal springs. There are thousands of them scattered across the archipelago. However, the thermal springs in Hakone offer much more than just water…
Hakone and its hot springs
Hakone is a famous Japanese tourist destination located within the Mount Fuji National Park, overlooking Lake Ashi. It takes its name from Mount Hakone, an ancient, extinct volcano; the lake itself lies within the volcano’s former caldera. Its proximity to Tokyo makes it a highly sought-after destination.
For centuries, Hakone has been renowned above all for its hot springs—waters naturally heated by volcanic activity and rich in minerals, used for relaxation and rejuvenation. The main source, Yumoto Spring, supplies numerous onsen as well as “ryokan”—traditional Japanese inns featuring both indoor and outdoor thermal baths. The ideal Hakone getaway centers on these hot spring baths, set amidst nature and offering breathtaking views.
Beyond its spas, Hakone offers many other attractions, such as Lake Ashi, where visitors can enjoy boat trips, hiking, or cycling. There is also the Hakone Shrine, famous for the red “torii” (sacred wooden gate) standing near the water. The area is rich in museums, hiking trails, and scenic natural landscapes.
Hakone is thus an ideal destination for those wishing to combine relaxation, culture, and nature while enjoying an authentic Japanese —or rather, a “Tokyo-ish”— experience, at a much more affordable price. Indeed, by basing yourself here, the capital is just a stone’s throw away!
The weird Yunessun spa
If you have chosen Hakone as the base for your Japanese hot spring vacation, don’t limit yourself to the classic onsen experience. Try the weird and unique offerings at Yunessun, a spa complex that has recently stood out in the city’s tourism scene precisely because of its “unconventional baths”.
In Yunessun’s pools, you can choose to immerse yourself and be pampered by wine, coffee, sake, and much more!
If you opt for the “red wine bath”, you’ll soak in a hot water pool beneath a massive wine bottle (about 4 meters high!) that periodically pours splashes of red wine over you—said to be excellent for skin health and circulation. Alternatively, the “coffee bath” lets you immerse yourself in huge pools filled with lukewarm coffee, which revitalizes the skin and joints.
The Sake Bath is a themed hot spring pool dedicated to the traditional Japanese rice spirit; here, the sake becomes an integral part of the treatment, offering far greater benefits than simply drinking it as a liqueur after dinner. For those who prefer something milder, there is the Matcha Tea Bath—a soak in warm water infused with local green tea, known for its myriad health benefits.
The selection expands every year with additions bordering on the “madness” such as the Ramen Bath, where you can swim in the broth of the famous Japanese noodle dish! To book and check out current offers, visit the official spa website .
Important !!! Perhaps a obvious, but essential, note: when bathing in coffee, sake, or green tea, avoid drinking the liquid you are immersed in; you are sharing it with many other people, so it wouldn’t be hygienic at all!
Hot springs and tourism: itineraries from Hakone
You can plan numerous excursions in the surrounding area starting from Hakone. There is no shortage of natural beauty—the town is virtually encircled by it—such as the Owakudani Valley, a volcanic plateau featuring fumaroles and sulfur springs.
Located within the Mount Fuji National Park, Hakone is also an excellent starting point for hikes up the great volcano itself. A trip to Fuji can include a stop at Lake Kawaguchi along the way, offering stunning views of the volcano, especially on clear days. There are also less strenuous hiking trails leading to scenic viewpoints and small traditional villages.
Another option is to head to Kamakura, a coastal city rich in history and culture. Here, you can visit the famous Great Buddha, various Buddhist temples, and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, combining cultural sightseeing with a walk along the coast. Kamakura’s beaches are renowned throughout Japan, offering opportunities for both relaxing strolls and water sports.
Tokyo and Kyoto are nearby
Finally, Hakone can be incorporated into a broader itinerary connecting Tokyo and Kyoto. A classic Tokyo itinerary includes a visit to the Sensō-ji Temple in the Asakusa district, dedicated to the goddess Kannon. Its massive gate, known as Kaminarimon, is one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Another important landmark is the Meiji Shrine, set within a large park near Harajuku and built in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Naturally, the itinerary also includes visits to Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace, and the Imperial Gardens.
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most fascinating cities, preserving numerous monuments that bear witness to its long history. Among the most famous is Kinkaku-ji—known as the Golden Pavilion—an elegant temple covered in gold leaf and surrounded by a beautiful garden. Another significant site is Fushimi Inari Taisha, renowned for the thousands of red torii gates that form a striking path up Mount Inari. Perched on a hillside, Kiyomizu-dera offers a magnificent view of the city and stands as one of the most visited temples. Also not to be missed is Nijō Castle, celebrated for its architecture and its distinctive “nightingale floors,” which chirp when walked upon.
