Visiting an onsen is an absolute must-try experience during your stay in Japan. These natural hot spring baths, each with their own unique mineral composition, offer the perfect remedy for sore muscles after a day on the slopes. There's genuinely nothing better than soaking in therapeutic waters while your body recovers for tomorrow's adventures.
Most onsens in Hakuba feature both indoor and outdoor pools, and we strongly recommend the outdoor baths (rotenburo). The combination of hot mineral water, cool winter air on your face, and incredible mountain views is unforgettable. Sitting in steaming water while snowflakes fall around you is pure magic.
Yes, you have to be completely naked, no swimwear allowed. This might feel awkward at first, but after a minute or two you'll realize nobody cares. Everyone is there for the same reason: to relax and rejuvenate. No one is looking or judging, it's just part of the experience. For your first visit, try going during off-peak hours like noon to 2pm when it's less busy. Weekends are typically packed with Japanese weekend warriors, so weekdays offer a more relaxed experience.
Going with friends can be a great bonding experience, though remember that baths are gender-segregated. If you're a large group, consider splitting up to avoid overwhelming the space. While it's traditional to enjoy the views in silence, quiet conversation with your friends is perfectly fine.
Our top recommendation is Mimizuku no Yu, just a 7-minute walk from Starfall Lodge. It's usually less busy than other onsens and has incredible mountain views. Other great options include Happo no Yu, the Highland Hotel onsen, Kurashita Onsen, and Juro no Yu (remember, no tattoos here). Entry costs between 500-1000 yen. Pro tip: bring a towel from Starfall to save money, as rental towels cost extra. If you need an extra towel, just ask one of our crew.
Your Step-by-step Onsen guide
- Pay at reception - Enter the building and pay your entry fee at the front desk. You'll usually receive a small towel if you don't have one. Some onsens have vending machines for tickets instead of a staffed desk.
- Remove your shoes - Place your shoes in the provided lockers or cubbies near the entrance. Take the key if provided.
- Enter the correct changing room - Look for 男 (otoko/men) or 女 (onna/women). The men's curtain is usually blue, women's is usually red or pink.
- Get undressed completely - Find an empty locker or basket and remove everything, including underwear and jewelry. Some lockers require a 100 yen coin that's returned after use.
- Enter the bathing area - Take only your small towel with you if you have one. Leave your large towel in the changing room.
- Wash thoroughly before entering the bath - This is crucial. Sit at one of the washing stations and clean your entire body with soap and shampoo (provided). Rinse completely, making sure no soap remains.
- Enter the bath slowly - The water is hot! Enter gradually to let your body adjust. Start with the indoor bath if you're unsure about the temperature.
- Keep your towel out of the water - Place your small towel on your head or on the side of the bath. Never let it touch the bath water.
- Move between baths as desired - Try different pools, including the outdoor bath. You can return to wash stations to cool down if needed.
- Rinse or not - When finished, some people do a final rinse, others don't to keep the mineral benefits on their skin. Both are acceptable.
- Dry off before returning to the changing room - Use your small towel to dry as much as possible before walking back into the changing area.
- Get dressed and hydrate - Take your time getting dressed. Most onsens have vending machines for cold drinks, which taste amazing after a hot soak.
The onsen experience is about more than just getting clean or warming up. It's a ritual of renewal that connects you to centuries of Japanese tradition while providing genuine physical benefits for your ski-worn body. By the end of your stay, that evening onsen visit might become your favorite part of the daily rhythm, a perfect transition between mountain adventures and dinner in town.
