Who We Are

THE Onsen Times is an independent English-language publication dedicated to one subject: Japanese hot springs.

We cover onsen culture from the inside — not as a list of tourist attractions, but as a living tradition that includes healing stays, mountain pilgrimages, mineral water science, and the simple, ancient practice of sitting in hot water until the tension leaves your body.

Our editorial team is based in Japan. We research, visit, and write about the places we recommend. When we describe the smell of sulfur at a mountain inn or the color of the water at a riverside bath, we are drawing on direct experience, not secondhand sources.

What We Cover

Hitō (秘湯) — Hidden Hot Springs. The small, remote, traditionally managed inns that have been quietly operating for decades or centuries, far from tour bus routes.

Toji (湯治) — Healing Stays. The old practice of extended onsen stays for physical and mental restoration, including self-catering (jisui) traditions that make it accessible and affordable.

Etiquette and Practical Guidance. Honest, detailed answers to the questions that first-time visitors actually ask — from bathing rituals to tattoo policies to seasonal planning.

Regional Exploration. Deep coverage of Japan’s onsen landscape, region by region, with a focus on places where the water is excellent, the atmosphere is calm, and the experience has not been diluted by commercialization.

Our Editorial Standards

Every article published on THE Onsen Times follows these principles:

Accuracy over speed. We do not publish claims about prices, access, or facility policies without verification. When information may have changed since our last check, we say so and direct readers to the official source.

Experience over aggregation. We prioritize firsthand knowledge. When we write about a place we have not personally visited, we disclose that and rely on verified public sources — official tourism board information, facility websites, and government data.

Usefulness over volume. We publish fewer articles at higher quality rather than more articles at lower quality. Every piece is written to answer a specific question or solve a specific problem for someone planning an onsen visit.

Independence. THE Onsen Times is not affiliated with any onsen facility, tourism board, or booking platform. Our recommendations are based on editorial judgment, not commercial relationships. When we use affiliate links to booking services, this is clearly disclosed and does not influence our coverage.

Affiliate Disclosure

THE Onsen Times participates in affiliate programs including booking platforms and travel services. This means that when you book a stay through certain links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This revenue supports our editorial operations.

Affiliate relationships never influence which places we recommend, how we describe them, or whether we include them in our coverage. Our editorial decisions are made independently of any commercial consideration.

Contact

For corrections, questions, or press inquiries, reach us at contact@onsentimes.com or through our Contact page.

THE Onsen Times — The Quiet Side of Japan’s Hot Springs.