What Is the "Nippon no Onsen 100 Sen" Anyway?
Here's the thing: 温泉 (onsen, hot spring) – most Japanese learners pick up this word early, but its true cultural depth only reveals itself when you actually visit one. The "Nippon no Onsen 100 Sen" (日本の温泉100選, literally "Japan's 100 Selected Hot Springs") is published by the Kanko Keizai Shimbun, a trade newspaper dedicated to Japanese tourism for decades. Entries are evaluated on water quality, atmosphere, accommodation standards, natural surroundings, and regional character. This isn't a simple popularity contest – it's an editorially curated list that blends insider knowledge with measurable criteria. For 2025, one hundred destinations were recognized, and the top three stand out in a big way.
Japan's Top 3 Onsen of 2025 – Up Close
1st Place: Beppu – Kyushu's Thermal Wonder
Beppu (別府), located on the southern main island of Kyushu, has been a heavyweight in this ranking for years, and in 2025 it claims the top spot once again. The city is considered one of the most thermally active hot spring destinations in the entire world: around 130,000 kiloliters of hot water bubble up from the ground every single day. Only Yellowstone in the US surpasses that globally. Not bad, right?
Beppu features eight thermal zones known as "Hatta Jigoku" (八つの地獄, "eight hells"), including the cobalt-blue "Umi Jigoku" and the blood-red "Chi no Ike Jigoku." These pools aren't meant for bathing – they're meant for marveling at. A natural spectacle and cultural experience rolled into one. For the actual bathing, Beppu has hundreds of public 銭湯 (sentō, public bathhouses) – some charging less than a euro for entry and still untouched by mass tourism. Did you know that in Beppu you can also hear authentic Kyushu dialect – specifically Hakata-ben or Oita-ben – which puts your Japanese listening comprehension to a pleasantly challenging test?
2nd Place: Kusatsu – Japan's Most Famous Mountain Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) in Gunma Prefecture, about 200 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, comes in second place – and among Japanese people, it might just be the most famous hot spring destination of all. At the heart of the town sits the 湯畑 (yubatake, hot water field) – a steaming spring area right in the town center that pumps out more than 32,000 liters of water per minute. Every. Single. Minute.
Kusatsu sits at 1,200 meters above sea level and is especially magical in winter: snow-covered rooftops, steaming alleyways, and the scent of sulfur create an atmosphere you simply won't find anywhere else in Japan. The water here has an extremely low pH of around 2.0 – highly acidic and widely regarded as particularly effective against skin conditions, joint problems, and circulatory issues. Traditionally, the water is cooled to bathing temperature through a practice called "Yumomi" (湯もみ) – a rhythmic stirring with long wooden paddles. You can watch this performance daily at the Netsunoyu Theater, and honestly, it's just as culturally valuable as the bath itself.
3rd Place: Gero – Quiet Serenity Along the Hida River
Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) in Gifu Prefecture rounds out the top three, and in Japan it is traditionally listed as one of the "Three Great Onsen" (日本三名泉, Nihon San Meisen) – alongside Kusatsu and Arima. What makes Gero special is its setting along the Hida River and its soft, alkaline water with a pH of around 9.2.
This so-called "Bijin no Yu" (美人の湯 = "water of beautiful women") is said to leave your skin silky smooth – a quality that has earned Gero a legendary reputation for centuries. The town itself is smaller and quieter than Beppu or Kusatsu, making it perfect for travelers who really want to slow down. Along the riverside promenade you'll find free foot baths – 足湯 (ashiyu, foot bath) – where you can simply sit, dip your feet in, and let the world melt away around you. No entry fee, no reservation, no stress.
Onsen Etiquette: What Japanese Learners Should Know Before Their First Dip
Visiting an onsen means stepping into a social space with clear, unspoken rules. Tattoos are banned in most traditional baths – if you have ink and still want to visit, look specifically for "tattoo-friendly" onsen, which are becoming increasingly common especially in Beppu. Before stepping into the shared pool: shower and rinse thoroughly, keep your towel out of the water, and speak quietly.
The expression 裸の付き合い (hadaka no tsukiai, naked socializing) captures a deeply Japanese concept – that bathing together breaks down social barriers and encourages a rare kind of openness. It's a key cultural moment that no textbook can fully explain. You just have to experience it for yourself. For more Japan travel tips and cultural insights: more Japan news on jpnerd.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Nippon no Onsen 100 Sen" mean in English?
The name roughly translates to "Japan's 100 Selected Hot Springs." The ranking is published by the Kanko Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese tourism trade newspaper, and evaluates onsen destinations based on water quality, atmosphere, and regional character.
Which onsen ranked #1 in 2025?
Beppu in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu takes the top spot in 2025. The city is famous for its eight thermal zones – the so-called "Hatta Jigoku" – and its enormous daily water output of around 130,000 kiloliters.
Can you visit a Japanese onsen if you have tattoos?
Most traditional onsen prohibit tattoos. However, tattoo-friendly bathhouses are becoming more and more common, especially in Beppu. It's best to check directly with the specific onsen before you visit, or actively search for tattoo-friendly options.
