All About Japan

14 Wacky Wilderness Onsen

Onsen Japanese Countryside Deeper Japan Osaka Okinawa Akita Fukushima Gunma Miyagi Tohoku

It's been said that for a true subculture fan (in Japanese, "maniac"), the power of one's love for one's obsession is deeper than the ocean. Onsen fan and critic Isamu Gunji dove right into that ocean, risking his naked life to bring us 14 unforgettable outdoor hot springs—some of which aren't even on the map.

Ogidaira Onsen (Akita)

Ogidaira Onsen (Akita)

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Even locals have no clue about this waterfall-style hot spring, discovered in the forest by Gunji himself. A true onsen hunter!

Shiokawa Gensen (Okinawa)

Shiokawa Gensen (Okinawa)

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It's unusual for a hot spring to flow toward the sea. This gushing hot spring in Okinawa is a Nationally Designated Natural Monument.

Read more in Japanese at AllAbout.co.jp.

F Onsen (Tohoku)

F Onsen (Tohoku)

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Located somewhere in Tohoku. Keep an eye on your surroundings or you might be reported as a suspicious person!

Iwo Jima Port Onsen (Tokyo Islands)

Iwo Jima Port Onsen (Tokyo Islands)

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This is a wild hot spring along the volcanic coast of Iwo Jima (known in Japanese as Io-to), located 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of Tokyo.

Okuhachikuro Onsen (Akita)

Okuhachikuro Onsen (Akita)

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This one looks just like a pond, where you can experience an exclusive open-air jacuzzi.

Read more in Japanese at AllAbout.co.jp.