Takaragawa Onsen

Are you into mythology? Takaragawa Onsen is a place so picturesque it looks like it was pulled from some old folklore version of heaven. The baths are huge, the setting is straight forest and river, and winter makes it look even more unreal. You’re outside, surrounded by trees and rocks, with the sound of the river in the background – the perfect setting to go full nymph.

Tattoo-friendly and mixed-gendered, Takaragawa is a great place to go without splitting up the group. If mixed bathing makes you hesitate, don’t panic: bathing attire is required in the mixed areas, and it’s provided by the onsen. And if you’re more comfortable letting it hang, you can definitely do so in the gender-separated baths.

They have a ryokan available to stay at, but day trippers are more than welcome too; rates start at ¥1,500 for adults. It’s the kind of place that looks fake in photos, but somehow even better in real life.