Hot Springs Near Yokohama: Best Day Trips and Onsen
Key takeaways
- Yokohama offers urban super sento in the city center alongside classic hot spring resort towns under an hour away.
- Travel to natural hot spring destinations like Hakone, Yugawara, and Kamakura via direct trains on the JR and Odakyu lines.
- Public bathing in Japan requires complete nudity and washing beforehand, while tattoo rules vary by location.
The best hot springs near Yokohama range from modern bath complexes in the city center to traditional mountain and seaside resorts reachable in under an hour by train. Travelers based in Yokohama can soak in urban day-use facilities like Yokohama Minatomirai Manyo Club or take direct trains south toward natural onsen hubs like Hakone, Odawara, and Yugawara.
Whether you have a spare evening after sightseeing in Chinatown or want a full-day excursion into forested valleys, you do not need to travel far to enjoy authentic Japanese bathing culture. This guide outlines the top onsen spots near Yokohama, how to reach them without speaking Japanese, and what to keep in mind before you go.
Top Urban Onsen Inside Yokohama
If you do not want to leave the city, Yokohama has convenient bath complexes known as super sento. These facilities combine traditional thermal waters with modern amenities such as dining halls, relaxation lounges, and massage services.
Yokohama Minatomirai Manyo Club (万葉倶楽部)
Located directly in the Minatomirai waterfront district, this multi-story bathhouse brings thermal mineral water directly from hot spring sources in Yugawara (湯河原) daily via tanker trucks.
- The Experience: Outdoor baths offer sweeping views of Yokohama Bay and the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel. The facility provides rental yukata (light cotton robes), indoor mineral pools, steam rooms, and dry saunas.
- Getting There: It is roughly a 5-to-10-minute walk from Minatomirai Station (みなとみらい駅) on the Minatomirai Line, or a 15-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station (桜木町駅). A free shuttle bus also operates from Sakuragicho Station.
- Good to Know: Admission costs around 2,500 to 3,500 yen for adults, with extra fees for overnight stays or specialized stone saunas (bedrock baths). Operating hours and pricing change periodically, so check the official website before heading over.
Kohoku Natural Onsen Raku Spa Tsurumi (極楽湯 / ラクスパ)
For an authentic local experience, northern and eastern Yokohama feature neighborhood sento and large-scale bathhouses tapping into kuroyu (黒湯), a dark, amber-colored natural spring water common across the Tokyo Bay region.
- The Experience: Kuroyu baths contain organic plant matter naturally dissolved in subterranean water. The water feels silky to the touch and looks like deep tea.
- Getting There: Facilities like Raku Spa Tsurumi run free shuttle buses from JR Kawasaki Station (川崎駅) or JR Tsurumi Station (鶴見駅), taking roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
Easy Day-Trip Onsen Towns Near Yokohama
For traditional ryokan inns, open-air baths (rotenburo), and mountain landscapes, Kanagawa Prefecture hosts some of Japan's most celebrated hot spring towns just south of Yokohama. You can find detailed train schedules and transit maps via JR East.
Hakone (箱根)
Hakone is Japan’s most famous hot spring region, sitting in the mountains near Mount Fuji. It features numerous distinct spring sources, each with its own mineral composition.
- Travel Time: Roughly 50 to 70 minutes from Yokohama Station.
- Transit Route: Take the JR Tokaido Line (東海道線) south from Yokohama Station to Odawara Station (小田原駅), which takes about 40 to 45 minutes. At Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway (箱根登山電車) for a 15-minute ride to Hakone-Yumoto Station (箱根湯本駅), the gateway to the valley.
- Highlights: Hakone-Yumoto offers dozens of day-use onsen within walking distance of the station, such as Yuryo (箱根湯寮), which runs a free shuttle from the station. Hakone also features numerous private onsen rooms (kashikiri-buro), ideal for couples and families wanting privacy.
Yugawara (湯河原)
Yugawara is a quiet, historic hot spring town nestled in a valley leading down to Sagami Bay. It has welcomed bathers for over a thousand years and is less crowded than Hakone.
- Travel Time: Roughly 50 to 60 minutes from Yokohama Station.
- Transit Route: Take the JR Tokaido Line directly from Yokohama Station to Yugawara Station (湯河原駅). Limited Express Odoriko trains provide an even faster, reserved-seat ride.
- Highlights: From Yugawara Station, local buses run up into the canyon along the Chitose River, where peaceful day-use onsen and public footbaths (ashi-yu) sit alongside classical Japanese inns. Manyogen and Doppo-no-Yu are popular stops in the area.
Kamakura and Enoshima (鎌倉・江の島)
While famous for shrines, temples, and beaches, the Shonan coastline just south of Yokohama also features scenic hot spring facilities overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- Travel Time: Roughly 25 to 40 minutes from Yokohama Station.
- Transit Route: Take the JR Yokosuka Line or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line directly to Kamakura or Fujisawa, then transfer to the Enoden coastal train line.
- Highlights: On Enoshima island, the Enoshima Island Spa (江の島アイランドスパ) offers heated outdoor pools overlooking Mount Fuji and the sea, alongside traditional gender-separated natural hot spring baths indoors. Note that swimwear is required in the mixed-gender outdoor pool zones, but forbidden in the indoor thermal baths.
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If you have never visited an onsen in Japan, the rules are straightforward and designed to keep shared water clean and relaxing for everyone.
- Take Off Shoes at the Entrance: Most facilities provide shoe lockers near the front desk. Place your shoes inside, lock it, and keep the key on your wrist.
- Strip Completely in the Changing Area: Japanese hot springs require complete nudity. Swimsuits, underwear, and wraps are not permitted in gender-segregated indoor or outdoor mineral pools.
- Wash Before Soaking: Enter the washing area first. Sit on the provided plastic stools, use the shampoo and body wash provided at the wash stalls, and rinse off thoroughly before stepping into any communal bath.
- Keep Towels Out of the Water: You will receive a small modesty towel. You can fold it and set it on your head or place it on the ledge of the bath, but never submerge it in the spring water.
- Dry Off Before Re-entering the Locker Room: Use your small towel to wipe excess water off your body before stepping onto the locker room mats to prevent puddles.
Practical Advice for Overseas Visitors
What to Bring
Most urban super sento and large day-use facilities provide body soap, shampoo, hair dryers, and towel rentals for a small fee (or included in admission). If you visit a smaller neighborhood bathhouse, you may need to bring your own towel and soap, or buy small travel sizes at the front counter for roughly 100 to 300 yen.
Tattoo Policies
Historically, Japanese onsen banned tattoos due to cultural associations with organized crime. Today, policies vary widely:
- Urban commercial bathhouses frequently prohibit visible tattoos of any size.
- Some facilities permit guests to enter if tattoos are completely covered with waterproof flesh-colored adhesive patches.
- If you have extensive or hard-to-cover tattoos, look for day-use facilities offering private rental baths (kashikiri-buro), or check international visitor resources via the Japan National Tourism Organization to confirm tattoo-welcoming spots in Hakone. Always verify policies on the specific venue's website prior to traveling.
Language and Navigation
You do not need to speak Japanese to enjoy an onsen near Yokohama. Ticket machines often include English buttons, and front desks usually provide picture guides explaining locker usage, meal purchases, and checkout. Keep small cash bills and coins handy, as some shoe and locker systems require a 100-yen deposit that is refunded when unlocked. Check venue hours and train timetables online before your trip, as schedules and prices adjust across different seasons.
FAQ
- Q. Can you find natural hot springs directly inside Yokohama?
- A. Yes, Yokohama has modern bath complexes using natural spring water hauled from sources like Yugawara, as well as local black-water hot springs.
- Q. What is the fastest traditional onsen town to reach from Yokohama?
- A. Yugawara and Odawara take roughly 45 to 60 minutes via the JR Tokaido Line, providing easy access to historic onsen resorts.
- Q. Are tattoos allowed in hot springs near Yokohama?
- A. Rules differ significantly by location; many traditional facilities restrict visible ink, so visitors should check official guidelines in advance.