What is an Onsen?
A Japanese Tradition Full of Health and Beauty Benefits
The best wellness rituals are those steeped in culture and that span generations. Japanese onsen or natural hot spring baths are deeply woven into the country’s culture, offering far more than a relaxing soak. Rooted in centuries of tradition, onsen are celebrated for their restorative effects on the body and mind, making them a cornerstone of Japanese health and wellness practices.
Wellness East founder Jisa Oh has been visiting the hot spring in the Kyushu area of Japan since she was a baby, when her grandmother would bring her for the mineral-rich water’s skin healing benefits. She recalls her mother going to help with inflammation due to an autoimmune disease and her sister going to ease the effects of eczema. Today, she visits the same onsen with her family and daughters spending days between the hot baths and taking in meals of fresh vegetables, reading and relaxing to round out a full onsen experience of slowing down and resetting the body.
Baths at a ryokan in Yamanaka Onsen. Photo: Getty Images
From a physical standpoint, soaking in an onsen promotes circulation by gently raising body temperature. The heat encourages blood vessels to expand, helping oxygen and nutrients move more efficiently through the body. This can ease muscle stiffness, soothe joint discomfort, and support recovery after long days of walking, exercise, or stress. It’s no coincidence that onsen towns have long been popular retreats for rest and recuperation.
Jisa says that onsen water and the overall experience can vary by location. Depending on the region, the water may contain minerals such as sulfur, magnesium, calcium, and iron, each associated with different wellness benefits. Sulfur springs are often enjoyed for skin health, magnesium-rich waters are linked to muscle relaxation, and iron springs are traditionally valued for combating fatigue. What sets onsen apart is their mineral-rich water, naturally heated by geothermal activity. Some people even buy water from the onsen to use at home as a toner, cooking or drinking.
Equally important are the mental and emotional benefits. Onsen bathing is intentionally slow and mindful. Phones are left behind, voices are lowered, and time seems to stretch. This quiet ritual encourages relaxation, lowers stress levels, and provides a rare opportunity to be fully present. Many people report improved sleep after an onsen soak, as the combination of warmth and calm helps the nervous system unwind.
The onsen spa at Aman Kyoto. Photo: Aman Resorts
Onsen are also closely tied to nature. Many baths are outdoors overlooking mountains, forests, rivers, or falling snow. This connection to the natural world enhances the sense of grounding and tranquility, reinforcing the Japanese philosophy that wellness is inseparable from nature.
Beyond individual health, onsens support social well-being. Bathing together—whether with family, friends, or even strangers—fosters a sense of equality and connection. Without the markers of status or daily roles, people meet simply as human beings, sharing a peaceful moment.