10 Best Family Onsen Towns in Japan
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a Japanese onsen but wondered, “Can I bring my kids?”, you’re not alone. There are plenty of amazing family onsen towns in Japan that make it easy (and fun!) to soak together.
From water parks in Hakone to quiet riverside inns in Kurokawa, you’ll find options for every kind of trip. Here are some of my favorite places to unwind and enjoy that cozy onsen feeling as a family.
How to choose a family-friendly onsen town
If you’ve never visited a Japanese onsen before, picking the right town can make all the difference, especially when you’re traveling with kids.
Some places feel relaxed and family-oriented, while others are better suited for couples or quiet retreats. Here’s what I’d look for when choosing a family-friendly onsen town in Japan.
- Private or family baths: Look for kazoku buro (family baths) or kashikiri buro (private baths). They’re perfect if you want to soak together without worrying about separate gender baths.
- Easy to reach: Long travel days with kids aren’t fun. I stick with towns that are quick to get to from Tokyo or Osaka, like Hakone, Kusatsu, or Arima Onsen.
- Fun things to do nearby: Kids don’t want to sit in the bath all day, so pick towns with family activities like ropeways, small museums, nature walks, or even hot spring–steamed snacks. Hakone and Beppu are top of my list for that.
- Flat and walkable streets: Some onsen towns are hilly, which isn’t ideal for strollers. Kinosaki and Yufuin are easy to walk around in yukata and sandals, with shops and snack stalls that make it fun for everyone.
Best family onsen towns in Japan
Beppu, Oita Prefecture
Best for: Variety of family baths, fun attractions, and easy sightseeing.
If you’re looking for the ultimate onsen getaway with kids, Beppu is hard to beat. It’s one of Japan’s biggest hot spring towns, and everywhere you look, you’ll see steam rising from the ground.
Kids find it fascinating. It feels like walking through a storybook volcano town.
There are tons of private family onsen here, so you don’t have to worry about mixed bathing rules or shy little ones. Hyotan Onsen is one of the best options. They’ve got 14 private baths. Some indoor, some open-air that you can book by the hour.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, the ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa is great for families. The rooms with private onsens overlook the mountains, and it’s peaceful enough for everyone to unwind after a busy travel day.
Beppu’s also full of fun little experiences. The Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri) are colorful bubbling pools that kids love to see. You can’t bathe in them, but they’re fascinating.
And at Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa, you can steam food using natural hot spring steam like eggs, veggies, even pudding! It’s such a fun (and slightly steamy) science experiment that doubles as lunch.
The water in Beppu can be pretty hot, so it’s always worth testing it with your hand first before little feet go in.
And when everyone’s done soaking, try one of the free foot baths around town. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to end the day.
Yufuin, Ōita Prefecture
Best for: Peaceful countryside and relaxed family stays.
If Beppu is lively, Yufuin is its calm little sister. This small town sits in a quiet valley below Mount Yufu, surrounded by rice fields and soft mountain views.
Yufuin is slower, less crowded, and filled with cozy cafés and handmade craft shops. It’s exactly the kind of place where families can unwind.
Most ryokans in Yufuin have private open-air baths, so soaking with kids is easy and comfortable. Ryokan Fukinoya has family-size baths surrounded by trees, while Yufuin Wazanho and Gettouan offer rooms with private tubs overlooking nature.
When you’re not soaking, take a slow walk to Lake Kinrin. In the morning, steam rises from the surface, and it honestly feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli scene.
There’s a cute little street nearby with ice cream and snack stalls. Perfect for keeping kids happy between soaks.
If you’re traveling with younger ones, just double-check when booking because a few high-end ryokans limit children in certain rooms.
Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo Prefecture
Best for: Walkable streets, yukata charm, and easy-going family vibes.
Kinosaki Onsen feels like it was made for families. Picture cobbled streets, willow trees, little bridges, and everyone strolling around in yukata robes, even the kids.
It’s peaceful, easy to explore, and small enough that you can walk from your ryokan to any of the seven public bathhouses in town.
For family onsens, Ichino-yu and Jizo-yu both have private baths you can book by the hour.
If you’d rather have your own bath at your accommodation, Ryokufukaku and Nishimuraya Honkan are both great options with in-room or private onsen setups. The water here is gentle, so even younger kids can enjoy it without much fuss.
What I love about Kinosaki is that it never feels rushed. After your bath, you can grab an ice cream from a street stall, feed koi in the canals, or take the small cable car up Mount Daishi for sunset views.
If you’re visiting in autumn or winter, I’d pack socks for the wooden geta sandals. They look cute but can get chilly in the evening. Other than that, Kinosaki is one of the easiest, most charming towns for a family onsen trip in Japan.
Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture
Best for: First-time visitors, easy access from Tokyo, and fun family attractions.
Hakone is one of my favorite onsen towns to recommend for families visiting Japan for the first time. It’s just an hour or two from Tokyo, easy to reach by train, and full of fun things kids will actually enjoy.
For families, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a must. It’s part onsen, part water park, with baths filled with coffee, green tea, wine, and even sake (for adults only). Everyone wears swimsuits here, so it’s perfect if you’re not quite ready for traditional nude bathing.
If you prefer a quieter soak, check out Hotel Green Plaza Hakone or Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, both offering private open-air baths that are ideal for families with younger kids.
I also love how easy it is to mix onsen time with sightseeing here. You can hop between the hot springs and fun stops like the Hakone Open-Air Museum with a kids’ play zone, outdoor sculptures, and wide lawns to run around.
Your kids will also love taking the ropeway with Mount Fuji views or hopping on the pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashi.
Arima Onsen, Hyōgo Prefecture
Best for: A classic hot spring town near Osaka and Kyoto.
If you’re traveling around Kansai and want to dip into onsen culture without going too far, Arima Onsen is such an easy and family-friendly pick. It’s one of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns, and it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.
What makes Arima special is that it has two types of hot spring water: the golden, iron-rich kinsen and the silver, carbonated ginsen. Locals say both are great for your skin, and you’ll notice the difference the moment you step in.
For families, it’s surprisingly convenient. Arima Grand Hotel has private rental baths that fit four or five people, so you can soak together without worrying about the public baths.
If you’re after something more peaceful, Arimasansō Goshōbesshō has rooms with private onsen attached. Perfect if you want to enjoy the water right from your suite.
The town itself is compact, walkable, and full of little shops selling local snacks and treats. I always stop by for Arima cider and onsen manju (sweet buns steamed with hot spring water).
There are also small temples, old bridges, and viewpoints where kids can stretch their legs between soaks.
If you visit on a weekend, go early! It’s popular with day-trippers from Osaka.
Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
Best for: Iconic hot springs, fun local shows, and easy family access.
Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, and it’s just as lively as it looks in photos.
The first thing you’ll notice is the Yubatake. It’s a big wooden hot spring field right in the center of town, constantly steaming and bubbling. You’ll smell the sulfur before you even see it, and kids usually think it’s the coolest thing ever.
I love how well Kustatus is set up for families. There are plenty of private or rental baths, so you don’t have to worry about the public ones being too hot or crowded.
Otakinoyu has family-sized private baths (the Shakunage rooms are my favorite). And Gozanoyu, right next to the Yubatake, also rents private baths by the hour if you just want a quick soak.
If you want something more traditional, check out Sai-no-Kawara Rotenburo, a massive outdoor bath surrounded by trees. You can’t reserve it privately, but it’s such a unique experience, especially when you walk through the park to get there and see the steam rising off the rocks.
Kusatsu is also great fun for kids. The Yumomi show at Netsu-no-Yu is a local performance where women in yukata stir the hot spring water with giant paddles while singing. It’s a little chaotic, and such a fun glimpse of local culture.
And since the town sits at a higher altitude, it’s always a bit cooler here. I usually pack a light jacket, even in early autumn.
If you’re staying overnight, Hotel Boun and Naraya Ryokan both have rooms with private onsen that are perfect for families.
Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture
Best for: Peaceful nature, private baths, and a quiet escape with kids.
If you want that “hidden onsen in the forest” kind of feeling, you’ll fall in love with Kurokawa. It’s small, green, and incredibly peaceful. You’ll see wooden bridges, stone paths, and little ryokans beside a stream.
What I love most about Kurokawa is how family-friendly it is without even trying. Most ryokans offer kashikiri buro (private baths) you can rent by the hour, so you get your own space without worrying about mixed bathing or noise.
Fumoto Ryokan is a great one, with outdoor private baths surrounded by trees, and Gekkouju Kurokawa has rooms with open-air tubs that feel like your own little nature retreat.
When you’re not in the bath, the town is lovely to wander. There are small cafés, ice cream shops, and even footbaths along the main street.
If your kids are a bit older, you can grab a wooden onsen pass and visit a few different baths around town. It’s such a fun little adventure.
And because the town’s built on slopes with stone paths, it’s better to bring comfy shoes and skip the stroller if you can. But for a calm, nature-filled getaway, Kurokawa Onsen is one of my favorite onsen picks for families.
Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture
Best for: Older kids and families who love beautiful, small-town stays.
If your kids are a bit older and you’re after that magical, snow-covered onsen town from the postcards, Ginzan Onsen is the one.
It’s a tiny, riverside village in Yamagata lined with wooden inns, glowing lanterns, and gentle steam drifting over the water. It honestly feels like stepping into a Ghibli movie.
Most of the ryokans here are small and family-run, but several offer private or family-use baths, so you can still enjoy the water together. Ginzansō Ryokan has rooms with open-air baths overlooking the river, while Fujiya Inn offers five different private baths you can reserve — ideal if you just want a quiet soak before dinner.
When you’re not bathing, stroll along the river to Shirogane Falls, stop for soft serve, or grab warm buns from a street stall. At night, the gas lamps light up the whole street, and it’s honestly one of the prettiest sights in northern Japan.
Ginzan is small, so it’s best for a one- or two-night stay. It’s not stroller-friendly, and most ryokans prefer older children. But if your family loves cozy walks and calm evenings, it’s such a memorable experience.
Just book well ahead. Rooms here fill up months in advance, especially in winter.
Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Prefecture
Best for: Hot springs and snow, cozy winter vibes, and walkable village life.
Nozawa Onsen is one of those towns that instantly feels cozy. It’s a small mountain village in Nagano where hot springs meet ski slopes, and the whole place smells faintly of onsen steam.
I love how walkable it is! You can wander from your ryokan to the baths, grab snacks along the way, and never worry about transport or crowds.
For families, Nozawa makes things easy. Ryokan Sakaya has a private bath big enough for four people that you can reserve when staying overnight.
Meanwhile Nozawa Grand Hotel and Nozawa Onsen Hotel both have private tubs with mountain views. After a long day of skiing or exploring, nothing beats hopping into a warm bath together while snow drifts outside.
There’s also plenty for kids to enjoy. You can stroll through the narrow lanes, stop for oyaki dumplings or hot sweet potatoes, and watch locals steam vegetables in the natural spring water. The whole place feels like a living postcard in winter. It’s quiet, traditional, and charming.
My only tip? The public baths can be really hot, so I always test the water first before letting little ones in. Bring warm socks and layers too, because once the sun goes down, the chill sets in fast.
Shima Onsen, Gunma Prefecture
Best for: Peaceful nature, fewer crowds, and slow family travel.
If you’re after something quieter, Shima Onsen is such a lovely pick. It’s smaller and less touristy than places like Kusatsu or Hakone, so you really feel like you’ve stepped into a slower side of Japan.
The town winds through a valley with little bridges, old wooden inns, and the Shima River running right through it.
One thing I love about Shima is that it’s great for families who just want to relax without crowds. Many of the local ryokans have private family baths that you can book by the hour. It’s ideal if your kids aren’t ready for public baths yet.
Sekizenkan Ryokan (said to be the inspiration for Spirited Away) has a few private onsen you can reserve, and Hinataya Ryokan is another cozy choice with outdoor tubs overlooking the river.
For little adventures between soaks, the area has plenty to explore. You can walk to the Shima Blue Cave, where the water glows a deep turquoise. Or spend a quiet afternoon at Shima Lake, feed the ducks and rent a small boat.
There’s also a sweet shop in town called Yakushi Dango Honpo that makes fresh skewered dango. Kids usually love it.
A few family tips: some parts of the town are a bit hilly, so bring good shoes (and maybe skip the stroller). And since Shima Onsen is small, I’d recommend staying overnight.
Before you go
If it’s your first time visiting a Japanese onsen, it helps to know what to expect before you arrive. You can start with my guide on how to use a Japanese onsen. It walks you through the whole process step by step, so you’ll feel confident before hopping in.
Each hot spring feels a little different, and once you learn about the types of onsen baths in Japan, it’s easier to choose the one that fits your family best.
If you’re curious why Japanese people love hot springs so much, check out my post on the onsen benefits. And before you pack your bag, don’t forget to read what to bring to an onsen. I’ve made a simple list so you won’t leave your towel behind.
With just a little prep, your family’s first onsen trip will feel easy, relaxing, and unforgettable.
