5 Onsen in Chiba worth your time

A coastal hot spring resort at Chiba's southernmost tip featuring ocean views, flower fields, and a historic lighthouse.

What it is

• A hot spring resort area located at the southernmost tip of the Boso Peninsula.
• The coastline is part of the Minamiboso Quasi-National Park facing the Pacific Ocean.
• Large-scale hot spring drilling began in the mid-1950s for local hotels and inns.
• The region is a center for flower cultivation and extensive flower fields.

What to see

• The Nojimazaki Lighthouse which was established at the southern tip in 1869.
• Hot spring baths containing chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfate waters inside local hotels.
• Scenic coastal views of the Pacific Ocean within the quasi-national park.
• Seasonal flower fields that thrive in the area's warm climate.

When to go

• The Ama Festival is held annually on July 20 and 21.

Getting there

• Awa-Shirahama Station serves as the primary bus terminal for the area.

Official site

minamiboso-onsen.com

Read more about Shirahama Onsen

A coastal hot spring resort in Chiba featuring three mineral-rich sources and open-air baths with expansive Pacific Ocean views.

What it is

• A hot spring resort area located within the Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park.
• The first hot spring source was successfully drilled here in 1996.
• Five hotels and inns currently provide baths using three different local water sources.
• The spring water contains sodium and calcium chloride from depths up to 1,300 meters.

What to see

• Open-air hot spring baths that overlook the Pacific Ocean.
• The historic Inubosaki Lighthouse located near the hot spring inns.
• Panoramic views of the sunrise over the eastern coastline.

When to go

• Early morning to observe the sunrise from the baths or the shore.

Getting there

• Take the Choshi Electric Railway to Inuboh Station.
• Highway buses are available directly from Tokyo Station to the resort area.

Read more about Inubōsaki Onsen

A lakeside hot spring resort famous for its unique dark brown water and scenic views of Lake Kameyama in Chiba.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located on the shores of Lake Kameyama in Kimitsu City.
• The spring was first discovered in 1930 with a new source drilled in 1975.
• The water contains iodine and sodium bicarbonate with a natural dark brown color.
• The spring yields six hundred liters of water per minute at nearly thirty degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Natural black water springs with a distinct dark brown appearance.
• Scenic views of the surrounding Lake Kameyama landscape.
• Local restaurants serving wild boar hot pot, a regional specialty dish.

When to go

• August for the Kameyama Lake Festival and its fireworks display.

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from Kazusa-Kameyama Station.
• Buses are available from Chiba Station and Awa-Kamogawa Station.

Read more about Kameyama Onsen

A riverside hot spring resort in Chiba known for its unique dark brown water and scenic natural park surroundings.

What it is

• A hot spring resort spanning Ichihara City and Otaki Town along the Yoro River.
• Part of the Yoro-keikoku Okukiyosumi Prefectural Natural Park.
• A collection of over ten inns and guesthouses established after mineral discovery in 1914.
• Features unique dark brown water known as Kuroyu from chloride and hydrogen carbonate springs.

What to see

• A footbath facility located inside the Yoro Keikoku Station.
• The Kawanoie inn where famous manga artist Yoshiharu Tsuge once stayed.
• Natural scenery within the surrounding prefectural park and along the riverbanks.

Getting there

• Accessible via the Kominato Railway at Yoro Keikoku Station.

Read more about Yōrō-keikoku Onsen

An open-air sodium chloride hot spring located within a resort facility, ideal for day-trip bathing and forest relaxation.

What it is

• An open-air hot spring bath specializing in day-trip bathing for visitors.
• A sodium chloride type spring that first opened in 1976.
• Located within the Roman no Mori Kyowakoku facility in Kimitsu City.
• The natural spring water has a temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Outdoor baths designed for relaxation in a forest setting.
• On-site accommodation options including a hotel and various cottages.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Kisarazu Station for a twenty-five minute journey.
• Drive thirty minutes from the Kimitsu Interchange to reach the facility.

Read more about Hakuheki Onsen