Tsubame Onsen is a hot spring town in Niigata, Japan. Officially the water is classed as chloride spring, bicarbonate spring, sulfate spring and sulfur spring.
Salty water. The salt leaves a thin film on the skin, so you stay warm well after leaving the bath.
Smooth, slightly slippery water. Often nicknamed bihada-no-yu, the water for beautiful skin.
Clear water with a faintly bitter taste. Known for holding heat.
The classic rotten-egg smell and milky white water. It can tarnish silver jewellery, so take it off.
36.9019, 138.1467 — open the map
Planning a first soak? Read how an onsen stay works, and what to do if you have tattoos.