10 Best Hotels With Private Outdoor Onsen in Japan (2025 Edition)

What Are Private Outdoor Onsen in Japan?

Being one of the most volcanic countries in the world, Japan brims with countless natural hot springs all the way from southern tropical Okinawa to the tip of northern Hokkaido. The majority of these hot springs, called “onsen” in Japanese, are contained in shared bathhouses, which can have both indoor and outdoor baths. Outdoor hot spring baths are called “rotenburo,” and they are often built in beautiful gardens or positioned in front of panoramic vistas.

As per Japanese custom, these hot spring bathhouses require you to bathe in the nude with others. For this reason, many international travelers forgo the pleasure of onsen in Japanーbut it doesn’t need to be this way! For those concerned about a lack of privacy, many top-tier Japanese hotels pride themselves on offering rooms with private outdoor onsen that can be booked for just you and your companions. Below, you’ve picked out 10 of the best private open-air onsen in Japan to ensure that you get your fill of hot springs and magnificent outdoor scenery while traveling the country!

10 Best Private Outdoor Onsen Hotels in Japan

The Lake Suite Ko No Sumika (Hokkaido)

The Lake Suite Ko No Sumika is a hot spring resort facing Lake Toya in western Hokkaido. It boasts private open-air onsen in all of its four room types, with cozy baths facing the beautiful lake and its cone-shaped mountains. The baths are filled with fresh hot spring water from Toyako Onsen, said to have numerous therapeutic benefits.

While guests are welcome to keep to their rooms, Sumika’s shared open-air onsen is also worth braving the public nudity for (pictured above). Its three-step infinity pool merges seamlessly with the lake in front, and if the weather is clear at night, the star-studded sky becomes a natural planetarium.

There’s also plenty to do around Lake Toya, including events like the Toyako Onsen Illumination Tunnel (early November to late April) and activities like taking the Lake Toya Sightseeing Ferry or the Mt. Usu Ropeway for more exhilarating views. If you’re visiting Lake Toya between late April and late October, the nightly fireworks display will add a dazzling sparkle to your vacation.

Bessho Sasa (Yamanashi)

Bessho Sasa is a luxury villa floor located within Fuji Onsen Hotel Kaneyamaen, one of the most esteemed hotels in the Mt. Fuji area. All rooms in Bessho Sasa have private outdoor onsen, letting you soak in peace while admiring up-close views of Mt. Fuji. The waters are drawn from the high alkali hot springs of Fujiyama Onsen, which bubble up from depths of 1,500 meters below the base of Mt. Fuji.

Along with soaking in hot springs and appreciating Mt. Fuji panoramas, Bessho Sasa has plenty more to entertain guests. Dinner and breakfast are served in-room and feature local seasonal produce arranged in gorgeous presentations. There’s also the 4th floor lounge, where you can sip on coffee brewed from fresh beans or sparkling and white wines from local Koshu grapes. Alternatively, head to the night bar lounge at Hotel Kaneyamaen for drinks facing the illuminated garden alfresco-style.

Hakone Kowakien Tenyu (Kanagawa)

Just 1.5 hours from Tokyo by train, Hakone is one of Japan’s most accessible hot spring regions. There’s no shortage of hot spring resorts to choose from in Hakone, but for those wanting their own private open-air onsen, we recommend Hakone Kowakien Tenyu.

All of the guestrooms at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu are fitted with private outdoor onsen baths, drawn from the high-quality hot springs of Kowakudani Onsen. The bathtubs are crafted from Shigaraki ware, an ancient form of Japanese pottery from Shiga Prefecture known for its rustic coarse texture and warm colors. Depending on the room, you’ll either get a view of Mt. Hakone or of the lush greenery of the neighboring valley.

Along with private onsen, Tenyu also has multiple shared bathhouses. The Ukigumo no Yu bathhouse, high up on the 6th floor, presents an obstruction-free view of Mt. Hakone framed by an infinity pool.

The hotel is also a great base for touring the attractions of Hakone, including the iconic Lake Ashi, Hakone Open-Air Museum, and the Owakudani volcanic crater.

Kissho Caren (Shizuoka)

Kissho Caren is a luxury hot spring resort on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean under Mt. Fuji. All of Kissho Caren’s guestrooms present views of Sagami Bay, and three room types have private outdoor onsen, while another has private indoor onsen. The waters are drawn straight from the source at Hokkawa Onsen, famed for potent skin beautifying effects.

We also recommend checking out Kissho Caren’s shared outdoor and indoor baths. They have a chilled-out tropical vibe with wonderful views of the boundless ocean stretching out to Oshima Island, and are beautifully crafted from stone and cypress wood.

Genjikoh (Aichi)

Genjikoh is a luxury Japanese-style “ryokan” hotel situated on the coast of Ise Bay under Nagoya City. Its decor was inspired by the Genji Monogatari, one of the most well-known pieces of ancient Japanese literature. Key elements from the classic are implemented throughout, like rooms designed to resemble the period’s aesthetic and hot spring baths to purify the mind and body.

Being a beachfront resort, all guestrooms boast a direct view of Ise Bay, encompassing far-flung islands and the beautiful sunset. A number of rooms have their own cozy private outdoor baths, setting you enjoy a soak while absorbing the magnificent scenery. However, keep in mind that these private outdoor baths use regular water, not water from the hot spring. To experience Genjikoh’s hot springs, head up to the shared outdoor baths on the rooftop, which offer another breathtaking vantage point of the bay.

Yumotokan (Shiga)

Yumotokan is a large hot spring resort facing Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Among its many room types are those with private open-air onsen, such as the Semi-Suite and spacious Kotone wing. The hot spring waters come from Ogoto Onsen, which is said to have been founded around 1,200 years ago by influential Buddhist monk Saicho. These waters are highly alkaline, with a pH of 9.0, said to make your skin feel smooth and look amazing.

While the cozy private onsen are sure to leave you satisfied, the hotel’s Gesshin no Yu shared bathhouse exhibits even better views of the lake from the rooftop floor. And if you weren’t able to snag a private onsen room, Yumotokan has two reservable open-air hot spring baths, letting you book a 50-minute solo, couple, or family session for an additional fee.

Hotel New Awaji Plaza Awajishima (Hyogo)

Hotel New Awaji Plaza Awajishima sits on the coast of Awaji Island facing the Naruto Strait in the Seto Inland Sea. It flaunts jaw-dropping views of the island-studded waters and Onaruto Bridge, under which the region’s famous whirlpools form. The lavish guestrooms in the hotel’s Sola Annex have private open-air onsen on a sizable wooden deck filled with natural hot spring water from Minamiawaji Onsen, known for a high mineral content and moisturing effects.

Plus, even if you miss out on a room with a private open-air bath, you can reserve the Manten or Yuami outdoor hot springs for 60 minutes for an extra fee.

There is also the shared outdoor hot spring bathhouse Yubae no Yu, which contains a number of unique baths, including one with a shoulder-length depth to fully warm up your body. You can also enjoy the waters from Shiosaki Onsen, another local hot spring source, in the indoor bath Torotoro-no-Bijinyu, famous for high concentrations of bicarbonate ions.

Along with its proximity to the aforementioned Naruto Whirlpools, Hotel New Awaji Plaza Awajishima is a great base to explore the attractions of Awaji Island. It also houses two restaurantsーone serving Western cuisine with a lively open kitchen and a classy Japanese-Western fusion restaurantーfilling their dishes with local seafood and farm produce.

Hotel Iya Onsen (Tokushima)

Hotel Iya Onsen is nestled in the heart of the Iya Valley, one of the most remote regions of Japan, on the large island of Shikoku. It’s most famous for its shared outdoor hot spring that sits at the bottom of the valley accessible only by taking the hotel’s own private cable car. The waters in these hot springs come straight from Iya Onsen, a highly alkaline spring rich in well-balanced minerals.

While it would be a shame to miss out on their cable car hot spring, for those who prefer privacy, Hotel Iya Onsen has several rooms with attached open-air onsen, all facing the magnificent wilderness of the valley. Other rooms also have indoor onsen positioned in front of full-length windows to enjoy the same view inside. And if you opt for a room without a hot spring bath, you can still enjoy a private onsen session by reserving the Yamagiri no Yu hot spring for 60 minutes (extra charge).

Day-trippers touring Iya Onsen, which is famous for its vine bridges, can also pay to use this private bath or the shared hot springs.

Ginsho (Kagoshima)

Located in Ibusuki at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kyushu, Ginsho is one of the few hotels in the area with private outdoor onsen. Many of its guestrooms come fitted with their own hot spring baths on snug balconies facing the beach, and are limited to couples to ensure quality time. For families, Ginsho has rooms with private swimming pools sure to be a hit with the kids.

Along with a front-seat view of Kinko Bay, guests can walk down to access the rare natural sand baths in front of the hotel, where you’ll be buried in sand warmed by the geothermal waters below.

On the 9th floor is the shared Tenku Open Air Hot Spring, which consists of two bathhousesーUkigumo for women and Haguregumo for menーboth offering unobstructed vistas of the dreamy ocean landscape. You can also head down to the indoor and open-air shared hot spring on the 2nd floor for a closer look at the beach with sounds from the crashing waves. Furthermore, those who crave privacy can book one of three outdoor hot spring baths for 50 minutes at an additional charge (no children in elementary school or younger allowed).

Amane Resort Gahama (Oita)

Amane Resort Gahama features a mix of two-storey maisonettes, standalone villas, and hotel rooms, all with views of Beppu Bay or the lush hotel garden. No matter the room you book, all come with open-air onsen, letting you select based on your budget and needs with a private hot spring guaranteed.

Being located in Beppu, one of Japan’s most renowned onsen destinations, the hot spring waters here all flow directly from abundant natural sources, and are said to help alleviate several kinds of ailments.

Guests can also visit the affiliated Amane Resort Sekai to bathe in the seaside infinity pool-style outdoor hot spring and freely use its jacuzzi, dry sauna, and sea water bath. The space that used to be Gahama’s public bath is now converted into a gallery shop where you can purchase local souvenirs. Amane Resort Gahama also has both a traditional Japanese restaurant and a French restaurant, along with bars and lounges for total relaxation.

Enjoy Private Open-Air Onsen in Japan!

Even if you’re not up for bathing in public, you don’t have to forgo the deeply relaxing and therapeutic benefits of Japan’s beloved onsen. The hotels introduced in this article have rooms boasting their own private open-air baths treating guests to nourishing warm waters and striking scenes of oceans, mountains, gardens, and more. Use this article as a guide to plan your Japan trip with outdoor onsen included!

Top image: PIXTA