Six Incredible Hotels in Japan with Hot Spring Infinity Baths

Staying at an onsen (hot spring) resort is a must-do when you visit Japan; it's relaxing, soothing, and a great introduction to Japan's bathing culture. Elevate the experience further by opting for a ryokan with an infinity bath, where the bath blends with the natural vistas beyond. We've handpicked six properties that promise rejuvenation for the body and soul and immerse you in Japan's serene landscapes.

The best vantage point to view the perfect peaks rising from Hokkaido’s Lake Toya is from the outdoor lakeside infinity bath of The Lake View Toya Nonokaze Resort.

When not soaking in the resort’s soothing, chloride-rich hot spring water, you can enjoy the views from the seated area of your room, which looks out across the lake. At night, the expansive night skies are just as mesmerizing.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows ensure the view is always the centerpiece of the facility. The resort has three restaurants: a buffet, a Japanese and French fusion restaurant, and an authentic Japanese kaiseki (banquet) restaurant.

The location, seasonal cuisine, hot spring, and great views provide everything you need for a restful and restorative stay.

Bask in the views of Sagami Bay from the communal 12-meter-long infinity bath of Pearl Star Hotel Atami in Shizouka’s charming coastal resort town on the Izu Peninsula. Breathe in the sea air and soak in the minerals of this chloride-rich spring, dubbed the “hot spring of beauty” for its purported ability to promote good circulation and prevent dry skin.

Its rooms are sleekly western, with Japanese wood elements and handmade washi paper. Each room is equipped with a hot spring so you can enjoy the ultimate indulgence of a private onsen bath. This new hotel, which opened in 2022, also prides itself on multiple restaurants and bars, as well as a spa.

Izu Inatori Onsen Gourmet Ryokan Hamanoyu in Izu, Shizuoka, is as well known for its hot spring baths as its delicious seafood. Guests can book rooms with private onsen or use the communal infinity bath that overlooks the ocean.

The salty sea air will whet your appetite for a generous and hearty dinner of kaiseki overflowing with seafood freshly plucked from the ocean you’ve been gazing out at all day.

Both Japanese-style rooms with futon beds and western-style rooms twin beds are available, with corner rooms providing the best ocean views expanding out to the horizon beyond.

Sui Suwako is a chic inn overlooking Nagano’s largest lake, Lake Suwa. It has just eight rooms, each with an open-air cypress bath, giving the property an intimate and romantic atmosphere

The luxurious property is one to linger in and enjoy the area's tranquility. Sample local sake at its bar, dip in the infinity bath while looking out across the lake and beyond, and savor regional cuisine in a private room, ensuring absolute privacy throughout your stay.

Each room has a western-style bedroom and a separate, spacious Japanese tatami-mat room in which to eat, relax, and enjoy the panoramic views. Impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail are apparent throughout; artisans from Hida craft the furniture, and the floors are fragrant Japanese cedar.

Izu Hokkawa Onsen Kissho Caren is an intimate, modern ryokan overlooking Sagami Bay in Shizuoka. They offer various types of rooms, including outdoor baths in some rooms. The property also features some spectacular communal baths, one made of Japanese cypress and the other of stone.

Looking out across the bay, the stone infinity bath is a highlight of the property. Pick the right time to bathe, and you can enjoy watching the sunrise or the moon shining on the water, giving this small indulgence an ethereal quality. The ryokan has three dining options: Chic French-Japanese, teppan-yaki (flat-iron grill), or private in-room dining.

Kaike Onsen in Yonago, Tottori, was discovered in the early 1900s when spring water was first found bubbling up from the ocean floor. The hot salt water has since been utilized for its therapeutic properties and is considered to have pioneered the concept of thalassotherapy, meaning sea treatment.

Kaike Yugetsu is a modern ryokan in the town that blends Japanese omotenashi hospitality with chic contemporary design. Its 10-meter-wide open-air infinity bath is filled with the soothing saltwater of Kaike Onsen that you can soak in as you enjoy the uninterrupted views of the Japan Sea. Those who prefer a more private bathing experience can use the open-air bath on their terrace, a feature of every room.

The sea theme continues through to the dining experience, where seafood and produce grown in the nearby mountains are prepared in front of you in the restaurant.