Japan's three most famous hot springs towns

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  Hakone Onsen 【3 famous Onsen Town】

  The town of Hakone is situated in the southwestern part of Kanagawa, and is part of Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Hakone is an internationally well-known holiday resort that includes many renowned hot springs. They have about 20 different qualities, nicknamed "Hakone Seventeen Spas." Hakone Yumoto is a main gateway to the Hakone Spa District and it is 1 hr. 30 min. by Odakyu Railways limited express from Shinjuku, Tokyo. Yumoto Onsen, the oldest in the district, sprang up at the confluence of the Sukumo River and the Hayakawa River, the outlet of Lake Ashi. Well-appointed inns are located in quiet settings along the picturesque gorge.

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  Atami Onsen 【3 famous Onsen Town】

  Atami is one of the leading hot spring reports in Japan. The city has seven sources of hot springs, and steam can be seen constantly rising from locations around the city, making the landscape of this resort unique. To the west of the city is Atami Baien (Atami Plum Tree Garden). This garden has 730 turn-of-the-century plum trees that bloom between the end of year and the beginning of spring. Atami is also home of many museums. Among the most famous is the MOA Museum of Art, which exhibits over 3,000 paintings and sculptures, including 3 national treasures and 60 important cultural properties. The fireworks is regularly performed and very popular event with the night view of Atami.

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  Beppu Onsen 【3 famous Onsen Town】

  Beppu is located in the central part of Oita, on the coast of Beppu Bay faces the sea, with Mt. Tsurumi and the rest of the Tsurumi Volcanoes in the rear. Hot water gushes at many spots in the city. Beppu ranks first in gush volume in Japan and is in a high place in the world in the number of sources and the variety of chemical properties. The Beppu-onsen Spa consists of eight hot spring areas including Hamawaki, Beppu, Kankaiji, Myoban and Kannawa, which are collectively called "Beppu Hatto". In addition, there are many modern spa resorts also supplied from the rich sources in those areas.
  The Tour of Hell along a path in the Kannawa area is the highlight of sightseeing in the Beppu Spa. Eight spots including the Umi-jigoku (sea hell) made up of bright cobalt blue hot water, the Chi-no-ike-jigoku (blood pond hell) where hot water containing red melted clay gushes out and the Tatsumaki-jigoku (tornado hell), a geyser, are usually on the itinerary of the tour.