Long before wellness retreats became en vogue for travelers, Japan’s misty volcanic springs, forested mountains, and sacred pilgrimage routes inspired a philosophy that linked physical wellbeing with spiritual balance. In both indigenous Shinto and imported Buddhist traditions, bathing in Japan’s natural hot springs was believed to purify the spirit and heal the body. Once visited by emperors seeking clarity and samurai tending to battle wounds, these onsen remain cornerstones of Japanese culture. Today, luxury historic and contemporary onsen across the country elevate this ancient ritual into a deeply immersive cultural wellness experience. Whether you’re taking a break from business in Tokyo or looking for the ultimate off-the-grid retreat, our list has the perfect places for resetting the mind and restoring the body. 

Arimasansoh Goshobessho

Arima Onsen, Kobe; 1.5 hours from Osaka

In the mountains above cosmopolitan Kobe, Arimasansoh Goshobessho can be found in one of Japan’s oldest and most storied hot spring towns. The onsen’s waters contain a rare seven of the nine therapeutic minerals recognized by Japanese law, creating a nutrient-rich concoction that leaves minds calm and skin baby-soft. This modern ryokan evolved from a 19th-century Meiji-era inn that catered to international travelers coming to Kobe, the first Japanese city to reopen after 300 years of isolation. Today, it blends Western and Japanese design with classic onsen traditions, seasonal cuisine, and forested surroundings for an intimate and restorative experience. For a truly unique experience, book the treehouse onsen fashioned as a bird’s nest.

Nishimuraya Honkan

Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo; 3 hours from Osaka and 2.5 from Kyoto by train

In the 1,300-year-old hot spring town of Kinosaki Onsen, Nishimuraya Honkan has been welcoming guests for more than 165 years. The traditional ryokan is known for its classic Japanese or sukiya-style architecture, tranquil gardens, and tatami-lined rooms overlooking idyllic forests. Guests can soak in the property’s hot spring baths or join the town’s long-standing tradition of strolling the lantern-lit streets in cotton yukata (Japanese spa robes) to visit one of Kinosaki’s seven public baths. Dining centers on refined kaiseki or traditional Japanese coursed haute cuisine, featuring regional specialties such as meltingly tender Tajima beef (an elite breed of wagyu cattle and the source of Kobe beef) and Matsuba snow crab.

Shisui Nara

45 minutes from Kyoto and 1 hour from Osaka

Shisui Nara, part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, combines cultural immersion with rejuvenation in one of Japan’s oldest capitals. Set within Nara Park—home to the city’s famously friendly deer—the beautifully designed hotel puts guests within walking distance of some of Japan’s most important historical landmarks, such as Todai-Ji Temple with its 50-foot bronze Buddha and the vermilion Kasuga Taisha shrine. But a great location isn’t all it has to offer: Housed in the restored 1922 governor’s residence, Shisui’s gorgeous interiors combine Taisho‑era elegance with modern sensibilities; plush furnishings and moody lighting alongside hand-carved wood panels and polished cypress floors. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows overlook the manicured tea gardens, and many rooms come with their own private onsens. Featuring excellent service and nightly kaiseki chef’s tasting menus that highlight local dishes like Nara’s persimmon-leaf sushi, Shisui Nara is as transporting as it is relaxing. 

Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima

Katsuura Bay, Wakayama; 3.5 hours from Osaka

On a private island accessible only by ferry, Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima sits off the coast of the ancient and spiritual Kii Peninsula. The secluded setting is surrounded by forest and ocean, with an expansive outdoor hot spring bath where guests can soak overlooking the sea. Walking paths wind towards the island’s scenic viewpoints, echoing Kii’s ancient pilgrimage routes, once followed by straw-sandled Shinto monks and emperors in royal litters. Kaiseki dining takes inspiration from the surrounding waters and sacred forests, serving up fresh-caught Katsuura tuna alongside the same seasonal mountain produce favored by the nearby Buddhist monasteries, such as fiddlehead ferns, wild bamboo, and Wakayama’s famous pickled plums.

Beniya Mukayu

Yamashiro Onsen, Ishikawa; 1 hour from both Kyoto and Osaka by train

In the hot spring town of Yamashiro Onsen, just a train ride away from both Osaka and Kyoto, Beniya Mukayu offers an intimate, contemplative, and luxurious take on the ryokan experience. The property has just 16 guest rooms, each with a private open-air bath overlooking wooded ravines. Designed with an emphasis on minimalism and organic elements, the architecture blends stone, timber, and handmade paper to create a calming yet warm environment that invites the surrounding landscape indoors. The retreat’s quiet atmosphere and conscientious design reflect their belief in the restorative powers of simplicity, reflection, and connection with nature.

Shima Kanko Hotel

Ise-Shima, Mie; 3 hours from Osaka and 2 hours from Nagoya

Shima Kanko Hotel is set within the Ise-Shima National Forest, an area known for its rugged coastlines, densely forested mountains rising over aquamarine seas, and ancient Shinto religious sites. The area is home to the Ise Grand Shrine—considered the spiritual birthplace of the Japanese people—as well as a history of pearl cultivation, as pioneered by the famed Mikimoto pearl company. The hotel is designed to give every room a sweeping view of Ago Bay, whose calm waters are dotted with small, green islands and working pearl farms. Guests especially love the sleek yet luxurious rooms decorated with soft textiles, smooth stonework, and warm wood furnishings polished to glowing, as well as the region’s renowned seafood: plump ise oysters, buttery abalone, and sweet spiny lobster.

Aman Kyoto

Takagamine District

While Aman Kyoto is just north of the city’s historic center, it feels worlds away, set deep within a cypress and cedar forest and surrounded by moss gardens and stone pathways. The resort’s minimalist architecture blends seamlessly into the natural landscape with rooms designed around large windows that bring the natural splendor inside. Wellness programming includes indoor and outdoor onsen, forest bathing, traditional Japanese spa treatments like shiatsu massage and rice extract facials, and cuisine inspired by Kyoto’s historic culinary traditions. Most rooms also come with deep soaking tubs made from hinoki cypress—a beautifully aromatic wood with healing properties—providing another staple of Japanese bathing culture.

Gora Kadan

Hakone; 90 minutes from Tokyo by train

Gora Kadan occupies the former summer villa of Japan’s imperial family, a destination about 90 minutes from Tokyo in Hakone’s forested mountains, which have become one of Japan’s most famous spa regions. The ryokan-style resort blends imperial heritage—think ornate Meiji-era latticework, intimate courtyards, and meticulous Zen gardens—with sleek, soothing contemporary design. Rooms and suites are arranged to maximize views of the lush greenery outside. Many accommodations feature private open-air baths supplied by Hakone’s volcanic hot springs, while the communal baths overlook verdant, wooded hillsides. Seasonal kaiseki meals showcase Hakone’s bounty, from wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots foraged in the nearby mountains to delicate river fish and seafood caught fresh from Sagami Bay.

Hoshinoya Tokyo

Otemachi District

Hoshinoya Tokyo reimagines the traditional Japanese inn for the heart of the city. Yes, it’s much like the usual serene, tatami-lined country ryokans—only housed in a discreet, 17-story high-rise in Otemachi. Each floor functions as its own self-contained retreat, with six private rooms behind sliding shoji doors, a communal lounge, and shoe-free spaces. At the top, an indoor–outdoor onsen draws mineral-rich water from deep beneath Tokyo, providing a restorative soak with views of the city skyline. Thoughtful design—such as the delicate, kimono-inspired metal lattice facade that veils guests from the city outside—combined with natural materials like exposed timber and stone accents creates a seamless fusion of Japanese tradition and modern luxury, an oasis of tranquility above the bustling city.