Best Hot Spring Towns To Visit in Autumn

Fall is the perfect time to visit Japan, with temperatures dropping after the hot summer and stunning shades of yellows, reds and oranges coloring the trees in cities and the countryside. A great way to enjoy this season is to visit an onsen (hot spring) town and take in the wonderful foliage while soaking your troubles away. While there are plenty of hot spring towns that you can visit, here are some of the best ones to stay at that have excellent access to fall viewing spots nearby!

With the many mountains Nagano boasts, it’s a popular travel destination for locals and overseas travelers to visit during autumn. If you’re headed to Nagano this fall, you'll want to check out the Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen area. It’s an historically charming area giving off a nostalgic feeling. Although Yudanaka and Shibu are separate hot springs, they are only five minutes apart by car or a 15- to 20-minute walk, making it ideal to visit both in one trip!

Shibu Onsen is famous for its nine public baths, which are said to have different healing properties. Staying at one of the accommodations in Shibu Onsen gives you access to all nine baths for free. Meanwhile, at Yudanaka, check out the Sekai Heiwa Kannon, an 82-foot-tall (25 meters) World Peace Buddha statue. 

Visiting either Yudanaka or Shibu in autumn promises stunning views of fiery red and orange hues, with Shiga Kogen and the Snow Monkey Park nearby. At Shiga Kogen, you can enjoy the beautiful reflection of the fall trees on the water at ponds and lakes in the area, such as Kidoike, Biwaike and Hasuike. Meanwhile, trekking to the Snow Monkey Park provides a deep sense of autumn, and you can catch a glimpse of the monkeys in their natural habitat during this time of year.

Gunma Prefecture is an underrated gem, offering travelers serene getaways from the urban hustle and bustle. Ikaho Onsen in particular is enchanting in the fall, showcasing beautiful colors that make it a must-see destination.

Ikaho Onsen is famous for kogane-no-yu and shirogane-no-yu, each referring to the distinct color of the water. Kogane-no-yu features a golden hue caused by the iron in the water coming into contact with oxygen. Shirogane-no-yu has a more silverish color and is popular with those looking for hot spring water with more moisturizing properties.

While staying in the Ikaho Onsen area, you’ll want to check out Kajika Bridge, which has a vibrant shade of red. The bridge looks picturesque in fall, with the orange-red leaves beautifully complementing it. The trees are also lit at night, creating a romantic and warm atmosphere. In the daytime, you can also take the Ikaho Ropeway up to Mount Monokiki, which allows you to glide up the mountain with a sea of warm-

During the fall season, Shuzenji Onsen on the Izu Peninsula should be one of the top hot spring towns to visit if you want the ultimate fall experience while relaxing in a hot spring.

Shuzenji is the oldest hot spring town on the Izu Peninsula and gets its name from the temple on the peninsula, Shuzen-ji Temple. A small bamboo forest runs through the town’s center, and there is also Tokko-no-yu, which is said to be the origin of Shuzenji Onsen and runs along the river bed that cuts through the town. Katsura Bridge and Kaeda Bridge are great for seeing fall foliage, although other famous bridges are also in the town. 

During fall, you can also enjoy the illumination of maple trees at Niji-no-Sato, a park well known for its British and Canadian village sections. 

Kawaguchiko may have already been on your list to visit to get a great view of Mount Fuji, but the area is also famous for its hot springs and the beautiful fall colors that paint the town during autumn.

While walking around the lake, you can enjoy many spots with autumn leaves and Mount Fuji in view. One of the more famous spots to see autumn leaves around Kawaguchiko is the Momiji Corridor, which is also lit up in the evening. There are other spots, such as near Enkei Hall, which are also great for fall leaf viewing, but all-in-all, you might find the perfect viewing spot by simply walking around! 

Minakami Onsen is another famous hot spring town to visit if you’re going up to Gunma to enjoy the fall colors and baths. The water here is said to be clearer and has a weaker sulfuric aroma than many of Gunma's older hot spring towns. 

Minakami Onsen also has great access to nature, with Mount Tanigawa just a short drive away. While it is a great mountain to hike in any season, the whole mountain bursts into a gorgeous bouquet of red and orange in fall. You can enjoy the mountain by using the ropeway or by just walking!