Stress and busy days can easily affect our nervous system. Hot springs surrounded by nature are said to help bring it back into balance. Warm water, alternating hot and cold baths, and a calming environment that makes you want to take a deep breath all work to relax both body and mind.
In this article, we introduce 12 hot springs across Japan, from Tohoku to Kyushu, that are especially recommended for relaxation and restoring balance.
- What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
- Why Hot Springs Help Balance the Nervous System
- Hot Springs in Hokkaido & Tohoku for Nervous System Balance
- Hot Springs in the Kanto Region for Nervous System Balance
- Hot Springs in the Koshinetsu & Tokai Regions for Nervous System Balance
- Asakusa Sanso (Niigata) | Restore Your Mind in a Hidden Warm Hot Spring Surrounded by Nature
- Jizaikan (Niigata) | Restore Balance with a 38°C Gentle Hot Spring Stay
- Kutsukake Onsen Ogura-no-Yu (Nagano) | “Sleep-Inducing Baths” to Activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Hinode Onsen (Yamanashi) | Awaken Your Senses with Gentle Morning Hot Springs
- Hot Springs in the Kansai Region for Nervous System Balance
- Hot Springs in Kyushu for Nervous System Balance
- Hot Springs Across Japan to Balance Your Nervous System
What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
The autonomic nervous system is the part of our body that works automatically, controlling things like heartbeat, breathing, and digestion. It has two sides: the sympathetic system, which makes us active and alert during stress, and the parasympathetic system, which helps us relax and rest.
When stress takes over, this balance can break down, causing problems such as poor sleep, fatigue, or stomach issues. Hot springs are said to help by creating a calm environment. Warm water and quiet surroundings activate the relaxing side of the system, easing both body and mind.
Why Hot Springs Help Balance the Nervous System
Hot springs support the nervous system through their temperature, mineral content, and natural surroundings. Warm baths, close to body temperature, promote deep relaxation and activate the body’s “rest mode” (parasympathetic system), helping to release tension and reduce stress.
The minerals found in hot spring water also improve blood circulation and help the body eliminate waste, keeping you warm and relaxed even after bathing.
In addition, most hot spring resorts are surrounded by nature, offering a quiet atmosphere where you can enjoy soothing sounds and peaceful scenery. This natural environment further eases the mind. Together, these elements make hot springs an ideal place to restore balance to the nervous system.
Hot Springs in Hokkaido & Tohoku for Nervous System Balance
Hokkaido and Tohoku are full of hot springs surrounded by beautiful nature. These baths are perfect for relaxing and refreshing both body and mind. Warm water and quiet surroundings help the body relax, reduce stress, and restore balance.
Here are some of the top recommended hot springs in these regions.
Ryounkaku (Hokkaido) | 1,280m Above Sea Level – Reset Your Mind and Body in a Sky-High Hot Spring
Located at 1,280 meters above sea level in Kamifurano, Ryounkaku is Hokkaido’s highest hot spring inn. Its open-air baths offer breathtaking views of the Daisetsuzan Mountains, sea of clouds, and seasonal foliage, giving the feeling of floating above the clouds while easing tension and stress.
The inn uses two natural hot springs: an iron-rich acidic spring and a sulfate spring known for its warming effects. Soaking in the brown-tinted waters warms you from the core and is believed to help balance the autonomic nervous system. With only 13–14 rooms, the quiet atmosphere makes it ideal for escaping daily life, and it is popular with hikers. Day-use bathing is also available, making it a perfect stop during your travels. Surrounded by nature and tranquility, Ryounkaku is the perfect place to relax and restore both body and mind.
I was surprised by how rich the water was—it even turned the towels brown!
Yunoki Onsen Yamagataya (Fukushima) | Gently Restore Balance in Naturally Warm Foot-Flowing Hot Springs
Located in Hanawa Town, Fukushima, Yunoki Onsen Yamagataya is a small inn that preserves the traditional Japanese hot spring culture. It’s perfect for those looking to escape city life and relax both body and mind.
The inn’s main feature is a rock bath that naturally flows from the ground at your feet. The alkaline spring (about pH 9.6) has a mild temperature of around 39°C, allowing for a gentle soak that calms the sympathetic nervous system and helps restore balance to the autonomic nervous system. Although the bath is mixed-gender, women-only hours are available, and bathing clothes can be rented.
The inn also offers private family baths using the same natural spring, giving guests a peaceful space to relax fully. The spring water is completely natural, with no added heat, water, or circulation—pure hot spring at its finest.
Yamagataya provides the perfect combination of traditional healing atmosphere and mild, fresh hot springs, ideal for those who want to take their time to restore mind and body.
The water was soft and silky, with a pleasantly gentle warmth that felt amazing!
Hot Springs in the Kanto Region for Nervous System Balance
The Kanto region is home to many hot springs perfect for restoring balance to the nervous system. Surrounded by nature, these baths offer a peaceful setting to refresh both body and mind. Warm, gentle water and quiet surroundings provide a relaxing experience, helping activate the parasympathetic system and reduce stress.
Next, we’ll introduce some of the top recommended hot springs in the Kanto area.
Manza Hotel Juraku (Gunma) | Deep Relaxation in Snow-Covered Sulfur Hot Springs
Located at about 1,800 meters in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma, Manza Hotel Juraku is a highland resort offering breathtaking views from its open-air bath, Unkai-no-Yu. In winter, you can see the famous Karabuki steam vents and majestic mountains, feeling as if you are floating in a sea of clouds while enjoying deep relaxation.
The hot spring water is a milky, sulfur-rich bath with one of the highest sulfur levels in Japan. With a temperature around 40°C and a slightly acidic pH of 3.1, the water flows directly from the source without any added heat, water, or circulation. Inhaling sulfur compounds promotes blood circulation, helps relieve fatigue, improves sensitivity to cold, and can support recovery from nerve pain, high blood pressure, and diabetes, making it ideal for restoring balance to the nervous system.
Manza Hotel Juraku offers an all-inclusive experience: free drinks in the lounge, post-bath beer, late-night snacks, and massage chairs. Meals feature a natural buffet with local vegetables, Gunma pork, and local fish, providing nourishment for both body and mind. Surrounded by the quiet highlands and soaking in the milky hot spring waters, guests can fully unwind, leaving stress behind while rebalancing their nervous system.
The hot springs and all-inclusive amenities made it easy to relax and refresh both body and mind.
Itamuro Onsen Shofukan (Tochigi) | Slowly Relax Your Nerves in Traditional Warm Baths
Located in the mountains of Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Shofukan is a small, traditional hot spring inn with only 15 rooms, offering warm, home-style hospitality. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nasu Mountains, it provides a quiet environment perfect for deep breathing and restoring balance to the nervous system.
The hot spring is a strongly alkaline calcium-sodium sulfate spring (pH 9.6–9.7), flowing directly from the source. The gentle, lukewarm water allows for long, relaxing soaks, calming the sympathetic nervous system and promoting parasympathetic activity. The silky water also helps cleanse pores, making it beneficial for skin health, fatigue recovery, and relief from joint or nerve pain.
Meals are homemade daily, including steamed rice and mixed rice dishes, carefully balanced to warm and nourish the body. Both breakfast and dinner are served in-room, allowing guests to enjoy their meals privately. The inn also offers a sleep-enhancing service with a choice of about 20 types of pillows, creating the perfect environment for a restful night after soaking in the hot springs.
The water was around 38°C, pleasantly warm, allowing for a long, relaxing soak
Hot Springs in the Koshinetsu & Tokai Regions for Nervous System Balance
The Koshinetsu and Tokai regions are home to many hot springs that help restore balance to the nervous system. Surrounded by nature, these baths provide the perfect environment to refresh both body and mind. Gentle water and quiet surroundings help activate the parasympathetic system, easing stress and promoting relaxation.
Next, we’ll introduce some of the top recommended hot springs in these regions.
Asakusa Sanso (Niigata) | Restore Your Mind in a Hidden Warm Hot Spring Surrounded by Nature
Asakusa Sanso is a peaceful mountain inn located at the foot of Mount Asakusa in Uonuma, Niigata. Surrounded by primeval beech forests, it’s a popular base for hiking and nature experiences. While there are no open-air baths, the gently warm, iron-rich sodium-chloride and sulfate hot springs help calm the sympathetic nervous system and promote parasympathetic activity, offering a soothing soak for body and mind.
The inn features both a flowing-source bath at around 41°C, perfect for long, relaxing soaks, and a partially circulated bath. The reddish-brown water leaves skin feeling soft while helping relieve nerve pain, muscle soreness, fatigue, and supports the balance of the autonomic nervous system.
Guests can also enjoy warm, seasonal mountain cuisine using local Uonuma ingredients, from spring wild vegetables to autumn mushrooms, providing nourishment and comfort. With a dedicated guest lounge, free parking, and day-use bathing options, Asakusa Sanso is an ideal spot to unwind and restore both body and mind through nature, hot springs, and local food.
I alternated between the main bath and the cooler source-fed water, and it left me feeling completely refreshed and balanced!
Jizaikan (Niigata) | Restore Balance with a 38°C Gentle Hot Spring Stay
izaikan is a historic onsen inn located in the mountains of Uonuma, Niigata, within the Tochimoto Onsen area, which has over 1,200 years of history. Nestled along a high-altitude valley, surrounded by clear streams and lush greenery, it’s the perfect place to escape daily life and fully relax. The inn’s simple Japanese-style rooms encourage a calm, nature-focused stay.
The hot spring is a gentle radium-rich natural spring (35–36°C), flowing directly from the source without added heat or circulation. Long soaks of 30 minutes or more help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, release tension, and restore balance to the body and mind. The radon in the water may also support immune function, boost metabolism, and relieve stress or autonomic nervous system imbalances.
Meals feature local Uonuma Koshihikari rice, seasonal vegetables, and fresh fish, prepared in a traditional “one soup, four dishes” style, ensuring a nourishing and varied dining experience even during multi-night stays. Short-stay plans are also available for those new to onsen therapy, making it easy to reset the nervous system and promote natural healing in a modern lifestyle.
The baths were pleasantly warm, allowing me to soak slowly for a long, relaxing time.
Kutsukake Onsen Ogura-no-Yu (Nagano) | “Sleep-Inducing Baths” to Activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System
Kutsukake Onsen Ogura-no-Yu, located in the quiet rural village of Aoki in Nagano, is a historic hot spring said to have healed Prince Shigeno’s eye disease during the Heian period. Named after the nearby mountain resembling Kyoto’s Ogura Mountain, it remains beloved by locals and onsen enthusiasts.
The bath features two natural alkaline springs: one mild at around 35°C and one slightly warmer at 39.4°C, both flowing directly from the source. The large lukewarm bath (≈35°C) is especially relaxing, allowing the body to unwind naturally. Long soaks help calm the sympathetic nervous system and promote parasympathetic activity, making it ideal for restoring autonomic balance. The slightly hotter spring is perfect for a refreshing finish.
Although it is a day-use facility, the entrance fee is very reasonable, and the atmosphere is homey, mainly frequented by locals who enjoy long, leisurely soaks. Showers use the hot spring water, but guests are advised to bring their own shampoo and soap. This hidden gem is perfect for those who want to fully enjoy the onsen experience and gently rebalance their nervous system.
Alternating between the warmer and cooler baths allowed me to fully relax and unwind.
Hinode Onsen (Yamanashi) | Awaken Your Senses with Gentle Morning Hot Springs
Hinode Onsen Ryokan, located in Kasugai-cho, Fuefuki, Yamanashi, is a historic inn founded in 1909. Its highlight is the naturally warm spring water flowing from the garden at around 36°C, close to body temperature. The silky, gentle water makes it easy to soak for long periods without feeling overheated, promoting parasympathetic activity and helping balance the nervous system.
The inn also offers a slightly hotter sulfur spring from nearby Isawa Onsen, allowing guests to alternate between lukewarm and hot baths. This practice stimulates circulation, supports fatigue recovery, and further aids in regulating the autonomic nervous system.
Day-use bathing is available at a very reasonable price, and the inn has a cozy, homey atmosphere favored by locals. The traditional Japanese-style baths are clean and well-maintained, and the handmade meals add to the relaxing experience. Beyond the hot springs themselves, a stay at Hinode Onsen offers a calm, restorative retreat from everyday life, ideal for rebalancing body and mind.
Even a week after my visit, I felt wonderfully refreshed and balanced, both in body and mind.
Hot Springs in the Kansai Region for Nervous System Balance
The Kansai region is home to many hot springs ideal for restoring balance to the nervous system. Surrounded by nature, these baths provide the perfect setting to refresh both body and mind.
At Ginsuiso Choraku in Arima Onsen, you can enjoy both the “gold” and “silver” springs, combined with forest views for a deeply relaxing experience. At Yakushi-no-Yu in Hanayama Onsen, the combination of carbonated water and lukewarm baths helps soothe the nervous system. These hot springs are perfect for relieving daily fatigue and restoring overall balance.
Ginsuiso Choraku, Arima Onsen (Hyogo)｜Experience Kinsen, Ginsen & Forest Bathing
Located in the mountains of Arima Onsen, Kobe, Ginsuiso Bekkan Choraku offers a luxurious hot spring experience with two natural springs: the “Gold Spring” and the “Silver Spring.” Set on a high plateau surrounded by forests, the inn’s baths and open-air baths provide views of the surrounding woodland and Mount Rokko.
The Gold Spring, rich in lithium and negative ions, promotes relaxation and mental calm, while the Silver Spring (radium-rich) is known for improving circulation, relieving fatigue and nerve pain, and supporting autonomic nervous system balance. The baths are gently heated, favoring parasympathetic activation for deep relaxation. Both springs are available in large baths and outdoor baths with a rotation system between morning and evening, and features like standing baths, jets, and jacuzzis encourage radon inhalation for added benefits.
Meals feature carefully prepared kaiseki using local ingredients, served in-room for a quiet, peaceful dining experience. For ultimate privacy and flexibility, the detached villa “Shiki” offers 24-hour access to both Gold and Silver springs, allowing guests to relax and restore body and mind at their own pace.
I thoroughly enjoyed not only the baths but also the delicious kaiseki meals!
Hanayama Onsen Yakushi-no-Yu (Wakayama) | Balance Your Body with Carbonated and Lukewarm Springs
Hanayama Onsen Yakushi-no-Yu, located in Narugami, Wakayama, features one of the rare natural carbonated springs in the Kansai region. The high-pressure spring emerges naturally from 500 meters underground, creating a dense layer of sparkling mineral crystals in the baths. This pure hot spring is free from added water, heat, or chlorine, offering guests the fresh, unaltered spring experience.
The baths include a cold spring bath (≈26°C), lukewarm and medium-temperature baths (≈38–41.5°C), an outdoor bath, and a cold plunge (≈18°C). Alternating between the warm and cold baths increases blood circulation up to 5–7 times and encourages parasympathetic activity, helping the body and mind relax. Using the sauna and cold plunge in combination can further support autonomic nervous system balance, immune function, and skin health.
The springs are reputed to help with over 20 conditions, including nerve and muscle pain, joint pain, cold sensitivity, fatigue, high blood pressure, nervous system imbalances, depression, and dry skin. This high-concentration carbonated onsen is perfect for those seeking a thorough mind-and-body rejuvenation in a natural setting.
Alternating between the hot and lukewarm baths felt wonderfully relaxing!
Hot Springs in Kyushu for Nervous System Balance
Kyushu is home to many hot springs that help restore balance to the nervous system. In Nagayu Onsen, Oita Prefecture, the lukewarm carbonated springs are perfect for a full-body reset. Also in Oita, the Kan no Jigoku Ryokan offers an icy 12°C cold spring that helps regulate the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Surrounded by rich nature, these hot springs provide the perfect setting to refresh both body and mind.
Nagayu Onsen Daimaru Ryokan (Oita) | Full-Body Reset in Lukewarm Carbonated Springs
Located in Naoi Town, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, Daimaru Ryokan is a historic inn founded in 1917. Nestled quietly along the river, the inn has a retro yet clean interior and has been loved by literary figures such as Akiko Yosano and Yasunari Kawabata.
The highlight is the high-concentration carbonated “lukewarm spring” (≈32°C, pH 6.5), known as the “Ramune Onsen.” Its gentle effervescence covers the body with tiny bubbles, promoting circulation, reducing stress, and providing a rare, soothing experience. Alternating with the hotter bath (≈41°C) helps balance the autonomic nervous system, relieves fatigue, and may improve sleep quality.
Guests can also enjoy the nearby public “Ramune Onsen Hall” for free, as well as private baths within the inn. With only 15 rooms, the cozy inn offers relaxing views of the river and a historic atmosphere. Meals feature carefully prepared Japanese cuisine using local ingredients such as Bungo beef and mountain trout, completing a truly refreshing stay for both body and mind.
At night, I enjoyed a peaceful walk while watching fireflies!
Kan no Jigoku Ryokan (Oita) | Balance Your Nervous System in 12°C Icy Springs
Nestled in Kuju Town, Oita Prefecture, Kan no Jigoku Ryokan is a historic hidden hot spring inn founded in the early Showa era, with springs first discovered in 1849. The inn features a natural cold spring (≈13–14°C) flowing at 2,160 liters per minute into stone and cypress baths, alongside warm, heated baths.
The main attraction is the combination of cold spring bathing, warm baths, and sauna. Alternating between the icy cold spring and the wood-heated hot bath stimulates blood circulation and encourages parasympathetic activity, helping to balance the autonomic nervous system. The iron-scented simple sulfur spring is also reputed to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism, and skin conditions.
Guests can enjoy a traditional irori-style meal featuring local Bungo beef, mountain vegetables, and river fish, paired with local sake. Surrounded by the Kuju mountain range and seasonal nature, the inn offers a serene environment ideal for deeply relaxing both body and mind, making it perfect for those seeking a restorative hot spring experience.
It was my first time experiencing a cold spring, and combining it with the sauna was wonderfully relaxing!
Hot Springs Across Japan to Balance Your Nervous System
Hot springs that help balance the autonomic nervous system can be found throughout Japan. The ones introduced here are known for their relaxing natural settings, lukewarm waters, and alternating hot–cold bathing methods. These features help ease tension, promote parasympathetic activity, and restore balance to your nervous system.
Soaking in these baths not only relieves stress but can also improve sleep quality. The serene surroundings and beautiful natural landscapes of hot spring areas create the perfect environment to calm your mind. If you’re feeling the effects of stress or nervous system imbalance, visiting these hot springs is a wonderful way to refresh both body and mind. Find the hot spring that suits you best and enjoy a truly restorative experience.
