13 Best Onsen Towns in Kyushu | Enjoy Southern Japan’s Best Onsen Spots

The southernmost island of Japan (excluding Okinawa), or the “Kyushu” region, is home to some of the most well-known onsen in the country.

Many of them have a rich history along with beautiful nature spots that can be visited nearby.

In this article, we will be introducing some of the onsen towns that you can find throughout Kyushu.

We hope that it comes in handy during your travels.

Table of Contents

1. Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto)
2. Beppu Onsen (Oita)
3. Ureshino Onsen (Saga)
4. Kirishima Onsen (Kagoshima)
5. Hirayama Onsen (Kumamoto)
6. Unzen Onsen (Nagasaki)
7. Obama Onsen (Nagasaki)
8. Takeo Onsen (Saga)
9. Harazuru Onsen (Fukuoka)
10. Ibusuki Onsen (Kagoshima)
11. Tsuetate Onsen (Kumamoto)
12. Yamaga Onsen (Kumamoto)
13. Yufuin Onsen (Oita)
14. Conclusion

Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉)

Kurokawa Onsen is one of the best spots for those looking for a forest getaway while enjoying all that a hot spring has to offer. It is located quite far away from the inner-city area of Kumamoto Prefecture.

A unique aspect of Kurokawa onsen is that in many cases, you are encouraged to go and try out the baths of other accommodations. If your plan does not include access to other ryokans’ baths, you can purchase what is called an “onsen tegata” for 1,300 JPY a piece, which allows you to choose three baths to try out. You can also use it for food or souvenirs instead of the bath.

Kurosawa Onsen holds a yearly event from the winter until the late spring called “Yu-akari.” During this time period, you can find bamboo lanterns used as decoration all over town. At night, the lanterns light up and are a beautiful sight.

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Beppu Onsen (別府温泉郷)

Beppu Onsen produces the largest amount of onsen water in all of Japan, which is fitting for Oita, often referred to as the “onsen prefecture.” It is actually a collection of eight different hot spring areas.

“The Hells of Beppu,” or “Beppu Jigoku,” is a series of unique hot springs you can visit while in the area; you will find geysers, bright blue or orange hot springs, and even some hot springs with tropical animals.

Due to the nature of these hot springs, visitors are not allowed inside them but instead are invited to observe the strange characteristics of each. Some of them, however, do have foot baths that you can use while you are touring the different “hells.”

Although Beppu is what would be considered the countryside, there is a large population of international residents, which makes entertainment and places for food and drink very accessible when going into the city.

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Ureshino Onsen (嬉野温泉)

Ureshino Onsen is an onsen town that runs along the Ureshino River, located in the southwestern part of Saga Prefecture. Save for September and October, if you time your visit right, you can enjoy an event or festival in the area.

There are a few food and drinks that you may want to try while you are in Ureshino. One is “Yudoufu,” which is tofu that is made using hot spring water. Another is tea, which has been historically harvested in the area; the tea has such as good reputation that you can find ryokan that use it in the bath.

If you are staying at Ureshino Onsen and are looking for something to do, we recommend going to Ashiyu Chronicle Terrace, which operates as a bar, cafe, and restaurant. It features a foot bath that you can use while you enjoy your food and drink. There are many options ranging from full meals to seasonal cocktails.

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Kirishima Onsen (霧島温泉)

Kirishima Onsen is located fairly close to the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture. There are a variety of ways to get there including buses and trains, but a car will give you the best access to the sightseeing spots that are a bit further out.

Nature is undoubtedly the selling point of Kirishima, with sprawling fields and mountains. Just spending time relaxing in one of the large parks is a great way to spend an afternoon. There is a cliffside waterfall that can be visited and seen from an observation deck called Inukai Falls. If you want to enjoy the scenery more, you might consider going on a horseback ride as well.

Another popular activity in Kirishima is fruit picking, which can be done at Sakura Farms. You can pick grapes and apples (this farm is the southernmost location in Japan to do so) and also try some of the homemade juices and sherberts.

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Hirayama Onsen (平山温泉)

Hirayama Onsen is located in the northern part of Kumamoto Prefecture and is said to have a history of about 1,300 years.

Many of the ryokan in town are available for day trips, so you can visit multiple baths if you are excited to try out lots of onsen. We recommend a place called Taichi, which allows people who are not staying the night to use the bath for a low price of 500 JPY. You can also get a reservation for a plan that includes lunch.

Because there are many outdoor activities to enjoy in the Hirayama Onsen area, we recommend you visit when the weather is nice. The area is known for fireflies, and visiting during the summer and seeing the bugs flying through the fields is a great experience that is hard to find anywhere else. You can also find a famous firefly festival in one of the neighboring cities.

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Unzen Onsen (雲仙温泉)

Unzen Onsen is an onsen town in Nagasaki Prefecture that is surrounded by steaming geysers, giving it the name “Unzen Hell.” Walking through the steamy town is fun to do year-round, but is especially entertaining in the fall and winter months. You can even go on a night tour which makes the experience even better.

With a historical western influence, Unzen Onsen retains the western-style townscapes compared to other traditional Japanese locations. However, there are still many local restaurants and shops that sell traditional dishes at low prices, so we recommend that you stop by.

If you are looking for a place to stop and grab a snack, we recommend visiting Kaseya Cafe, which sells fried bread called the “Unzen bomb” that has a whole onsen egg (an egg cooked with onsen water) inside. There is a foot bath outside, so it is a perfect place to take a break.

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Obama Onsen (小浜温泉)

Obama Onsen is an onsen town by the sea in Nagasaki Prefecture. By riding a bus you can get to the area from Nagasaki Airport in about an hour and a half. From there, the onsen town is not very large so if you are not planning on venturing outside, you should be able to explore it on foot.

Obama Onsen is famous for “Obama Champon,” a type of noodle dish in which there are lots of ingredients mixed in; Obama Champon features fresh seafood and a light soup, but the other ingredients are completely dependent on the individual menu of the shop. Definitely consider going to multiple restaurants that serve Champon because they are all different.

Obama Onsen is also home to the longest foot bath in Japan. It is located near the ocean with a great view, which is a must-visit. Hanging out at the foot bath as the sun sets would be an ideal end to a day of traveling.

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Takeo Onsen (武雄温泉)

Takeo Onsen is located in Saga prefecture, with roots that are said to go back as far as 1,200 years. The water is good for the skin and has been used in the making of face lotion. The large gate-like structure called the “Takeo Onsen Roumon” is the symbol of the onsen town and has been classified as an important cultural property of Japan.

If you are looking for a cultural experience to try your hand at, we recommend you look into a pottery class. The making of dishes has been a tradition in the Takeo Onsen area since the 1590s, so you will be learning from the best.

Takeo Onsen is known not only for its onsen, but also for its food. Although there are no types of food specific to the area, they take pride in the high quality of ingredients and recipes. You might want to try TKB AWARDS, a burger joint that sells all kinds of burgers cooked with local ingredients.

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Harazuru Onsen (原鶴温泉)

Harazuru Onsen is on the border of Oita Prefecture. While winter is the prime time to dip in an onsen, the area is beautiful all year round with flowers and foliage. The area also produces lots of fruits and vegetables, which you might want to purchase at a local market.

One of the best experiences you can get at Harazuru Onsen is from May to October when you can observe local cormorant fishing. You will be able to ride in the boats and watch the fishermen and their birds. It is especially fun to ride and enjoy the season during the sakura season or when the leaves are changing color in the fall.

The onsen water at Harazuru Onsen is said to be good for the skin and gives it a very soft texture after bathing in it. There are many ryokan in the area that offer day-trip plans (in most cases including a meal) and public bathing facilities that you can use for a low price.

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Ibusuki Onsen (指宿温泉)

Ibusuki Onsen is a onsen located on the coast of Kagoshima Bay. In the 1960s, this was a popular spot for honeymoons for its warm climate and beachside location. There are many luxury ryokan and hotels in the area.

Ibusuki Onsen is most famous for “Sunamushi Onsen,” which is the experience of being buried in sand that has been warmed up using the onsen. This is a unique experience that is hard to find elsewhere, so be sure to look into it if you are in the area. The sand is very hot, so remember to be hydrated before trying it out.

If you are looking for a regular onsen, there are a few public bathing facilities available in town. One of the best choices for a day-trip onsen is a place called Healthy Land, where the outdoor bath has a stunning view of the ocean. If the weather is nice, you can see the mountains as well. Healthy Land’s bath is available for only 510 JPY per person.

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Tsuetate Onsen (杖立温泉)

Tsuetate Onsen is an onsen town located in the northern area of Kumamoto Prefecture, situated along the Tsuetate River. Starting in April and going until the beginning of May, there is a koinobori (carp-shaped flags) festival in which over 3,000 koinobori hung around the town. The roots of this tradition date back to the Meiji period (1868 to 1912).

The Tsuetate Onsen town is unique, filled with twists, turns, and alleyways. Walking through the small streets between the buildings almost makes it feel as if you have traveled to a different world. Just exploring the town, trying the local foods, and going into the shops is a great way to spend a day.

Tsuetate Onsen is big on steamy baths and saunas, which is said to be good for the skin. Depending on the establishment, you will be able to find “baths” specifically to spend time directly in the steam.

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Yamaga Onsen (山鹿温泉)

Yamaga Onsen is said to have one of the richest histories in all of Kumamoto Prefecture. As such, quite a few festivals are held (mostly between December and February) such as a sake festival and a lantern festival.

There is a main road in the town that is your go-to place for sightseeing. Here you will find many restaurants, shops, and cultural experiences. If you are lost on what to do, you can take a tour of the rice-related spots. It is only 600 JPY per person, so it would be a good experience to get an in-depth look at the town.

There are quite a few spots for onsen in the town even if you are not staying the night or want to try out different baths. Some of these spots have outdoor baths which are beautiful to soak in at night under the starry sky or baths that you can use as a family.

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Yufuin Onsen (由布院温泉)

Located in Oita Prefecture, Yufuin Onsen follows Beppu Onsen as the second-highest producer of hot spring water in Japan. The pH is generally very high (the highest being 9.7) and the water has a good moisturizing effect on the skin.

Yufuin has more of a western taste to the townscapes. The area is known for being both picturesque and lively but in a different way from Tokyo or Osaka without the glaring neon lights and abundant nightlife. You can visit art museums, ride horse-drawn carriages, or try different types of foods and desserts.

Yufuin is a great choice for those who want to explore the small-town areas of Japan. The seasons make the area beautiful year-round, with vivid greens in the spring and summer and snow in the winter. In the warmer seasons, you can enjoy a hike through the scenic mountains, and in the colder months there are many cafes to cozy up in and enjoy a hot drink or meal.

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Conclusion

What did you think?

In this article, we discussed some of the onsen towns that you can find throughout Kyushu.

Whether you are interested in visiting the most famous spots in Kyushu or a smaller, tucked-away area, we hope that there was something on the list that piqued your interest.

Enjoy your trip to Kyushu!

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