Anime Pilgrimage Meets Hot Springs | Onsen Towns Featured in Anime

The Ultimate Combo: Anime Pilgrimages and Hot Springs

On an anime pilgrimage, it is easy to get so focused on checking off locations that you forget to slow down. But many of Japan's famous onsen towns happen to double as anime settings, and pairing your pilgrimage with a hot spring visit is a surefire way to refresh both body and soul.

This article spotlights select onsen destinations across Japan that are also known as anime pilgrimage sites. You will find details on the anime connections, recommended baths, and access information -- everything you need to plan your next trip.

Hakone Onsen x Evangelion

The Hot Spring Town That Inspired Tokyo-3

Hakone is widely recognized among anime fans as the model for "Tokyo-3" from "Neon Genesis Evangelion." Centered on Hakone Yumoto, pilgrimage spots like Lake Ashi and Owakudani are woven right into the onsen resort landscape, making Hakone the most natural place to combine an anime pilgrimage with a hot spring soak.

Recommended Spots

• Hakone Yumoto Onsen: The gateway to Hakone. Plenty of day-trip bathing facilities make it easy to drop in for a quick soak
• Lake Ashi: The iconic lake where battle scenes take place in the series. The views from a sightseeing boat are spectacular
• Owakudani: The volcanic steam vents create a dramatic landscape that resonates with the show's aesthetic
• Hakone Open-Air Museum: Occasionally hosts Evangelion-related exhibits

Access and Onsen Information

• Access: About 85 minutes from Shinjuku via the Romancecar limited express. The Hakone Free Pass covers all local transport
• Spring types: Sodium chloride springs, sulfate springs, and more -- a wide variety
• Where to stay: Traditional onsen inns (ryokan) are concentrated in the Hakone Yumoto to Gora corridor. A 1-night stay is recommended

Kusatsu Onsen x Thermae Romae

One of Japan's Greatest Hot Springs, Starring in a Bathing Epic

"Thermae Romae," based on the manga by Yamazaki Mari, follows an ancient Roman bath architect who time-slips into modern-day Japan. Hot springs across Japan appear in the series, but Kusatsu Onsen stands out as one of the nation's most celebrated baths and a natural fit for the story.

What Makes Kusatsu Special

• Yubatake (Hot Water Field): The symbol of Kusatsu. The sight of 4,000 liters of hot spring water gushing per minute is breathtaking
• Yumomi show: A traditional technique for cooling the scalding source water by stirring it with large wooden paddles. Visitor participation sessions are available
• Sainokawara Park: An open-air bathing area where hot spring water bubbles up right from the riverbed
• Public baths: Free communal baths like Jizo-no-Yu and Shirahata-no-Yu let you experience local hot spring culture firsthand

Access and Onsen Information

• Access: About 4 hours by highway bus from Tokyo, or about 25 minutes by bus from Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station
• Spring type: Acidic (pH around 2.0). Known for strong antibacterial properties and reputed benefits for skin conditions
• Note: The high acidity can be intense for sensitive skin, so avoid prolonged soaking

Kinosaki Onsen x Literature and Anime

A Hot Spring Town Beloved by Literary Giants

Kinosaki Onsen in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, is famous for its literary heritage -- Shiga Naoya's short story "At Kinosaki" was set here -- and has also drawn attention as a model for anime settings. The charming experience of strolling between seven public bathhouses in a yukata (cotton robe) has inspired numerous works of art.

How to Enjoy Kinosaki

• Sotoyu (public bath) hopping: Visit all seven baths -- including Ichi-no-Yu, Gosho-no-Yu, and Mandara-no-Yu -- while strolling through town in your yukata
• Town walks: The willow-lined streets are photogenic and full of atmosphere
• Crab cuisine: During the winter season (November to March), matsuba-gani (snow crab) is the star of the table. Hot springs and gourmet dining at their finest
• Ropeway: The view of the onsen town from Mt. Daishi is stunning

Access and Onsen Information

• Access: About 2 hours 20 minutes from Kyoto Station via the limited express Kinosaki
• Spring type: Sodium-calcium chloride springs. The warmth penetrates deep into the body
• Tip: The sotoyu meguri pass (1,500 yen) grants entry to all seven baths

Dogo Onsen x Spirited Away

Japan's Oldest Hot Spring and the World of Ghibli

Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. The grand architecture of Dogo Onsen Honkan is widely believed to be one of the models for the bathhouse "Aburaya" in Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away," making it immensely popular with both anime fans and hot spring enthusiasts.

Recommended Spots

• Dogo Onsen Honkan: A designated Important Cultural Property built in 1894. The three-story wooden structure evokes the atmosphere of Aburaya
• Dogo Onsen Annex Asuka-no-Yu: A newer facility incorporating Asuka-period architectural design
• Dogo Haikara-Dori: The main shopping street of the onsen district, great for souvenirs and snacking
• Matsuyama Castle: Reachable by streetcar from Dogo Onsen. One of only twelve original-construction castles remaining in Japan

Access and Onsen Information

• Access: About 40 minutes by limousine bus from Matsuyama Airport, or about 25 minutes by streetcar from Matsuyama Station
• Spring type: Alkaline simple hot spring. Gentle on the skin and known as a "beauty bath"
• Admission: Dogo Onsen Honkan starts from 420 yen (varies by course)

Beppu Onsen x Hot Spring Anime Culture

Japan's Top Hot Spring City by Volume

Beppu City in Oita Prefecture boasts the highest hot spring output and the most individual springs of any city in Japan. The city has actively embraced anime collaboration events and cross-promotions, positioning itself at the intersection of onsen and anime culture.

How to Enjoy Beppu

• Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour): A sightseeing course visiting seven "hells," including Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) and Chi-no-Ike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
• Sand bathing: At Beppu Kaihin Sunayu, lie buried in sand heated by natural hot spring water -- a one-of-a-kind bathing experience
• Takegawara Onsen: A historic public bath dating back to the Meiji era. Sand baths also available here
• Kannawa Onsen area: The rising steam throughout the neighborhood creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else

Access and Onsen Information

• Access: About 2 hours by highway bus from Fukuoka Airport, or get off at Beppu Station on the JR Nippo Main Line
• Spring types: 10 out of 11 recognized spring types can be found here (a rarity even worldwide)
• Tip: Try the Beppu Hatto Onsen-do stamp rally for a structured way to explore

Tips for Combining Pilgrimages and Hot Springs

Here is how to get the most out of a trip that blends anime locations with onsen relaxation.

• Do not overpack your schedule: Leave room in your itinerary for genuine relaxation time at the hot springs
• Bring towels and a change of clothes: If you plan to visit multiple baths, pack quick-dry towels and extra clothing
• Review onsen etiquette: Rinse off before entering the bath, keep your towel out of the water, and follow other basic bathing manners
• Check the spring type: If you have sensitive skin, steer clear of highly acidic springs and choose a gentler option
• Stay overnight when you can: An overnight stay at a ryokan unlocks the full experience -- morning baths, multi-course dinners, and a level of relaxation that a day trip cannot match

Wrapping Up

Pairing an anime pilgrimage with a hot spring visit is one of the most rewarding ways to travel in Japan -- you experience the world of your favorite anime while immersing yourself in centuries-old bathing culture. After a long day of walking between locations, sinking into a steaming onsen is the perfect way to recharge.

The AnimeTrips AI trip planner can build itineraries that include onsen towns near anime pilgrimage sites. Why not plan a trip that gives you the best of both worlds?