Travel Best onsen in 2023

thomas · 18 Jan 2023

The Jalan Net travel website has released the results of its annual onsen survey. After being surprisingly ousted last year from its top position, Hakone is back at the top of the ranking as Japan's most popular hot spring resort.

The Top 10 onsen resorts in 2023 are:

Hakone (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Kusatsu (Gunma Prefecture)
Noboribetsu (Hokkaido)
Dogo (Ehime Prefecture)
Beppu (Oita Prefecture)
Kurokawa (Kumamoto Prefecture)
Arima (Hyogo Prefecture)
Atami (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Yufuin (Oita Prefecture)
Gero (Gifu Prefecture)

In 2022, the Kusatsu onsen in Gunma Prefecture toppled Hakone in annual rankings released by the Jalan Research Center, which specializes in tourism and leisure activities. Hakone had held the top position for 15 years. The ranking for 2023 was based on a survey of members of the Jalan Net travel website in late August that produced 13,375 valid responses. Respondents were asked to pick the resort they would like to visit again from 328 sites nationwide. Up to five multiple answers were permitted. Hakone was particularly popular among people in their 20s through 40s. The hot spring resort, within easy reach of Tokyo, was highly regarded for its good balance of ambience, accessibility and rich greenery.

Hakone reclaims position as most popular onsen resort in Japan | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

www.asahi.com

johnnyG · 18 Jan 2023

Sukayu? Kinosaki?

thomas · 18 Jan 2023

johnnyG said:
Sukayu? Kinosaki?

Are these the ones you recommend?

johnnyG · 18 Jan 2023

I haven't been to either, but Sukayu is sort of a bucket list spot. Kinosaki is at least not far from here, and I've considered touring down that way. The places in Oita are easy to understand--I'd also like get there, probably more realistic as a goal than a journey to Aomori.

Hakone and Atami seem to be broader areas, rather than a single town/spot like some of the others. Kusatsu and of course Sukayu in the snow would be a treat.

Tho the prices look way out of line, this book may be available via a library. Scott is retired now and lives locally, says the book is dated but still sells when someone somewhere makes it a required reading.

edit: https://terebess.hu/english/view.pdf

mdchachi · 19 Jan 2023

I've been to Beppu, Dogo, Noboribetsu, Hakone and Atami. I've been to Sukayu too.

thomas · 19 Jan 2023

mdchachi said:
I've been to Beppu, Dogo, Noboribetsu, Hakone and Atami. I've been to Sukayu too.

Which one did you like best? I only know Hakone, Kusatsu, Beppu, Yufuin, and Kamogawa (Chiba).

mdchachi · 20 Jan 2023

thomas said:
Which one did you like best? I only know Hakone, Kusatsu, Beppu, Yufuin, and Kamogawa (Chiba).

No idea. It's been over 20 years for all of them. I'd have to check the pictures to revive my memories.

johnnyG · 22 Jan 2023

Another survey/poll:

This onsen is ranked the best in northern Japan for the fourth year in a row

Kimori no Yu in Morioka, Iwate prefecture scores highly in this survey of more than 16,000 hot springs in Japan

www.timeout.com

Travel Best onsen in 2023

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

Hakone reclaims position as most popular onsen resort in Japan | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

johnnyG

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thomas

Unswerving cyclist

johnnyG

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mdchachi

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thomas

Unswerving cyclist

mdchachi

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johnnyG

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This onsen is ranked the best in northern Japan for the fourth year in a row

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