funneling Owakudani’s prized hot spring water to nearby ryokans (traditional inns), a testament to the region’s long history as an onsen retreat. Reaching this volcanic wonderland is an adventure in ...

In 2022, the Kusatsu onsen in Gunma Prefecture toppled Hakone in annual rankings released by the Jalan Research Center, which specializes in tourism and leisure activities. Hakone had held the top ...

We visit Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. Once the site of a security checkpoint for traffic in and out of old Tokyo, it evolved into a hot spring resort, now with an increasingly diverse community.