Maenohara Onsen at Saya-no-yudokoro

Hot spring bathing is a mainstay of Japanese leisure culture. The geothermal waters are meant to improve joint mobility and blood circulation while also stirring up a sense of community. Those at Maenohara Onsen promise no less, and certain suped-up tubs offer electric hydro jets. Don’t be put off by the water’s greenish brown color—that’s just the sodium chloride that will leave you feeling revitalized. After your soak, you might want to indulge further by getting a hot stone massage, or simply a bowl of soba noodles at the attached Restaurant Shitensha, surrounded by a traditional Japanese garden.