Ōtawara Onsen

Tochigi · 大田原温泉

Ōtawara Onsen is a hot spring town in Tochigi, Japan. The water leaves the ground at 38.4–57°C, hot. It measures pH 8–8.71 — mildly alkaline, the slippery kind. Officially the water is classed as simple spring, chloride spring, bicarbonate spring and radioactive spring.

Getting there

From Tokyoabout 2 h

CarNot needed

JR PassCovers the train

Train to Nishi-Nasuno Station (JR)
Local bus, about 15 min

Fly into Haneda or Narita. Times are rough estimates worked out from station locations, not a timetable — check the exact route on Google Maps.

Simple springChloride springBicarbonate springRadioactive spring

The water here

Simple spring 単純温泉

Mild and low in dissolved minerals. Usually clear and gentle on the skin, which is why these baths are often recommended for first-timers.

Chloride spring 塩化物泉

Salty water. The salt leaves a thin film on the skin, so you stay warm well after leaving the bath.

Bicarbonate spring 炭酸水素塩泉

Smooth, slightly slippery water. Often nicknamed bihada-no-yu, the water for beautiful skin.

Radioactive spring 放射能泉

Contains trace radon that leaves the water quickly. Also called radium or radon springs.

With tattoos

Many public baths still turn away visible tattoos, and the rule is set by each bath, not by the town. The reliable way round it is to bathe privately: a room with its own open-air bath, or an inn with a private bath you can book for yourselves.

Rooms with an open-air bath — Tochigi Inns with a private bath — Tochigi