Whether it’s freezing cold or blazing hot, it’s always weather for Japanese onsen, or hot springs.
Even in the balmy Okinawa Prefecture and its remote islands, there are plenty of onsen to visit!
To think that Okinawa isn’t just home to scenic locales and a beautiful ocean but also warm hot springs… it’d be a waste to head home without visiting at least once!
You might think we’re full of it, saying the words “southern island” and “hot springs” in the same sentence, but these baths drawn from the deep Okinawan sea are just as soothing and satisfying as anywhere else.
As such, this time we’d like to introduce you to 5 all-natural onsen found on Okinawa’s main island.
Of the many locations in Okinawa, these are the top five that’ll make you want to scream “Let’s go there right now!” Feel free to use it as a reference for your Okinawa trip!
* Please note that all of this information is accurate as of November 2017. For more detailed information, please visit the onsen’s official webpage (may be in Japanese only).
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1. Ryukyu Onsen Ryujin-no-yu (Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel)
2. Mie Castle Onsen Uminchu-no-Yu, Shimanchu-no-Yu (Loisir Hotel & Spa Tower Naha)
3. Terme VILLA Chura-yu (The Beach Tower Okinawa)
4. Jurassic Onsen Churaumi-no-yu (Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa)
5. [Closed] Natural Bath Aroma – Naha location
1. Ryukyu Onsen Ryujin-no-yu (Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel)
Ryukyu Onsen Ryujin-no-yu, found in the Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel, is just south of Naha Airport.
Found on an unexpectedly easy-to-access remote island – all it takes is crossing a bridge – it’s quite a hot attraction.
The onsen are drawn from a natural hot spring 1,000m below Senagajima, boasting a reputation for great water with the quality to back it up.
As it warms its inhabitants from the center of their bodies, this onsen is also called “Kodagara-no-yu,” or “children’s bath.”
And the best part is the onsen’s magnificent view! Sitting on the elevated Senagajima, completely surrounded by the ocean,
you can get a great view of an endless sapphire blue sea on all sides!
Especially unique is this bath, called Tateyu!
Relax and enjoy your time in a 1.2m deep spring, kept warm without being too hot, all while enjoying the magnificent view around you.
In addition, the bath stimulates your nerves, relieving nerve, muscle, and joint pain. The soothing bathwater will also moisturize your skin.
While Okinawa’s beautiful sea is a must-see, it’s even better to spend some time in the bath while you do!
In addition, “löyly” (luh-loo) has recently become a hot topic of conversation in Japan.
Löyly is a Finnish traditional method for bathing in a sauna, involving using a paper fan or similar item to help move around the hot air.
You can receive some “löyly” treatment here!
The air temperature is a little lower than that of a normal sauna’s, so for those weak to the heat, you might give this place a try.
Also popular are the Tsubo hot springs, where you can loosen up while getting a great view of the waterline!
This location is near Naha Airport, making it a popular place to visit on the first or last days of your trip, so be sure to stop by.
| Address | 174-5, Senaga, Tomigusuku-shi, Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Telephone | (+81) 098-851-7167 (Japanese only) |
| Hours | 6:00am-12:00am (11:00pm final entry) |
| Prices | Adult (13 years or older) – Weekdays, 1,330 yen / Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1,540 yen |
| Child (6-12 years old) – 720 yen / Toddlers – free **Taxes included | |
| Official website | http://www.senagaspa.jp/en/hotbath/ |
| Reference URL | https://www.wbf.co.jp/oka/hotel/senaga.htm |
| Water quality | contains sodium, chlorine salt |
~ Click here to learn more! ~
★Report on my experience staying at Senagajima Hotel
2. Mie Castle Onsen Uminchu-no-Yu, Shimanchu-no-Yu (Loisir Hotel & Spa Tower Naha)
Only a 7 minute drive to Naha Airport through the “Umisora Tunnel,” Loisir Hotel & Spa Tower Naha is an excellent place to stay if you’ve just arrived in Okinawa!
From the hotel it’s easy to get to locations in the east and south part of the city, and it is within walking distance of Kokusaidori, the center road of Naha and a great place to shop.
This hotel is home to two all-natural hot springs, Mie Castle Onsen Uminchu-no-Yu and Shimanchu-no-Yu.
The best feature of this location is the (heated) gensen kakenagashi bath, allowing you to enjoy water heated by fossils from 8 million years ago.
The bath salt prevents the evaporation of sweat and protects your skin, so we highly recommend it for any bathers who are sensitive to the cold.
Perhaps thanks to the blessings from millions of years ago, your skin will also become very smooth. Talk about killing two birds with one (very old) stone!
Meanwhile, the Uminchu-no-Yu has a new Ryukyu style, designed to feel truly Okinawan!
As you walk into the hot spring, you’ll really being able to feel the earth beneath your feet.
The Shimanchu-no-Yu open-air bath is also popular, due to its spacious and, well, open feeling!
Also available are bubble baths, heated water baths, and sauna – this location is full of variety, so it’s all down to what you want to try.
While you can technically drop in for a quick visit, the baths feel so nice that you’ll just want to keep going in anyway, so we recommend spending the night and getting your money’s worth.
Take your time and savor every second in these luxurious hot springs!
| Address | 3-2-1, Nishi, Naha-shi, Okinawa Prefecture (Loisir Spa Tower Naha 2F) |
|---|---|
| Telephone | (+81) 098-868-2222 (Japanese only) |
| Hours | 6:00am-12:00am |
| Prices | |
| Shimanchu-no-Yu | |
| Loisir Spa Tower Naha guests | Free |
| Loisir Hotel Naha guest | Adult – 1,500 yen / Child – 750 yen |
| Visitor fee | Adult – 2,500 yen / Child – 1,250 yen |
| Uminchu-no-Yu | |
| Loisir Spa Tower Naha guests | Free |
| Loisir Hotel Naha guest | Adult – 2,500 yen / Child – 1,250 yen |
| Visitor fee | Adult – 3,500 yen / Child – 1,750 yen |
| Official website | http://www.loisir-spatower.com/relaxation/churaspa_index.html |
| Water quality | contains iodine, sodium, chloride |
3. Terme VILLA Chura-yu (The Beach Tower Okinawa)
Attached to The Beach Tower Okinawa, Terme VILLA Chura-yu’s greatest asset is that as long as you stay at the hotel, you can use it as many times as you want.
Its location is also very convenient, being within walking distance of Mihama’s American Village and other great locations!
It is a very popular hotel for families who would rather play on the beach or in the pool than go sightseeing.
This onsen is all-natural, overflowing with hot spring water from 1,400m under the earth.
This location distinguishes itself by its commitment to safety and hygiene, maintaining its quality through hard work and care.
This bath also has therapeutic effects for any chronic joint, muscle, or nerve pain.
The water will gently loosen up your muscles, sapping away your fatigue until you feel ready to jump up and go!
Furthermore, after being exposed to UV rays during your time in the sea, your skin can take a lot of damage.
When you step into the hot spring, however, the water will moisturize you and wash away your blemishes, so you can walk away with bright, healthy skin.
It’s a great place to really feel the traditional Ryukyu culture.
In the pool zone, there’s also a “healing pool,” where you can take a dip while wearing your swimsuit.
Floating rings are also allowed here, so take a fun swim with the whole family!
They may be opening up a regular swimming pool soon as well, so why not head on over and enjoy both?
| Address | 2 Mihama, Kitatani-aza, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Telephone | (+81) 098-926-2611 (Japanese only) |
| Hours | (Bath) 7:00am-11:00pm (last entry 10:00pm) / (Outdoor Facilities) 10:00am-10:00pm |
| Prices | |
| Morning (7:00am-9:00am) | Adult – 700 yen / Child (4-11 years old) – 600 yen / Senior (65 years or older) – 700 yen |
| Weekdays | Adult – 1,300 yen / Child – 800 yen / Senior – 1,200 yen |
| Saturday/Sunday/holidays | Adult – 1,600 yen / Child – 800 yen / Senior – 1,300 yen |
| Official website | http://www.hotespa.net/spa/chula-u/ |
| Water quality | sodium – Bicarbonate hot spring (weak alkaline hypotonic bath) |
4. Jurassic Onsen Churaumi-no-yu (Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa)
Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa opened in July 2014 and is located in Motobu, where you can feel the nature of Okinawa up close.
It is in a great location, only a 3 minute walk to famous Bise Fukugi Namiki (Bise Fukugi Tree Road) and a 7 minute walk to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
Given the hotel and nearby attractions, there’s plenty to enjoy just by taking a stroll, so you may not even need a rental car.
The hotel’s Jurassic onsen Churaumi-no-yu distinguishes itself by the beautiful view of Ie Island you have while you bathe.
In this semi open-air bath, you’ll feel like you’re connected to the sea if you just lower yourself into the bathtub!
The bath also faces the Ocean Expo Park’s Emerald Beach, so you can see the stunning, eyecatching contrast between the white sand beach and shining turquoise ocean.
These hot springs offer effective therapy for muscle, joint, and nerve pain.
In addition, this hot water is pumped up from the 200 million year old Jurassic period strata, making it even more valuable as an ancient natural onsen from the Ryukyu era.
You can also purchase special plans that include lunch or dinner, so make sure to check those out!
Surrounded by the unique air of Okinawan nature, get your fill of this one-of-a-kind onsen.
| Address | 148-1 Bise, Honbu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa (Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa – Ocean Wing 5th Floor) |
|---|---|
| Telephone | (+81) 0980-51-7300 (Japanese only) |
| Hours | 6:00am-10:00am, 11:30am-12:00am (last entry is 30 minutes before closing) * Wednesdays – 3:00pm-12:00am |
| Prices | |
| Club Wing guest | free (guests must be 16 years or older) |
| Ocean Wing guest | Adult – 1,650 yen / Child – 750 yen (children below 6 years old may enter for free) |
| Non-hotel guests | Adult – 2,150 yen / Child – 1,000 yen |
| Official website | http://www.okinawaresort-orion.com/onsen/ |
| Water quality | sodium-chloride strong salt hypertonic hot spring – gensen kakenagashi style |
5. [Closed] Natural Bath Aroma – Naha location
* This facility is now closed. Please be aware that all information given is from before its closing.
Natural Bath Aroma – Naha location is a natural, easy-to-use hot spring facility, due to its blessedly great quality and its convenient location.
After shopping, when you’re going out for a walk…
There’s plenty of ways to visit, but it might be nice to just pop in quickly.
We recommend alternating between the bedrock baths and hot springs.
As you may know, bedrock baths help get rid of toxins in the body, so entering the hot springs afterwards will increase the healthy effects of the water.
The atmosphere feels a little nostalgic…. but the warmth and hot spring waters are definitely outstanding, so give this place a try!
There is also a parking lot, so feel free to come in your rental car.
| Address | 1-19-5 Nishi, Naha-shi, Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Telephone | (+81) 098-860-8001 (Japanese only) |
| Hours | 7:00am-12:00am (last entry 11:00pm) |
| Price | Adult – 1,500 yen (includes bedrock bath / inside clothes) ; Child – 750 yen |
| Official website | http://www.aroma1126.com/access2.php |
| http://www.aroma1126.com/ | |
| Water quality | contains sodium, chloride |
In Conclusion
(From Ryukyu Onsen Ryujin-no-yu (Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel))
So, how about it?
There are countless number of places where you can spend a relaxing time in natural hot springs, whether you’re going to a hotel or a jointly-owned location. The variety of locations and baths are fantastically convenient for any tourist looking to see this charming facet of Japanese culture!
As we get closer and closer to the sweaty season, we recommend taking your time relaxing in the onsen after spending the day sightseeing!
Warm up, loosen up your muscles, slowly moisturize your skin, and don’t worry about feeling a hint of fatigue!
Spend some time at the hot springs in Okinawa and enjoy traveling in a stress-free way.
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