Tsurutsuru no Yu

Its location at the end of the hiking trail from Mt Hinode has made this onsen a popular stop for local ramblers, and you can expect it to get fairly busy on weekends and national holidays. Depending on which day you visit, male and female bathers will be assigned either to the traditional Japanese-style baths or a more ersatz 'Western' selection of tubs, all of which use alkaline hot spring waters drawn from 1,500m underground. Adults pay ¥820 for three hours' use, though towels cost extra so it's best to bring your own. Tsurutsuru no Yu is a good 8km from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, so most people take the cute, train-shaped 'Seishun-go' bus, which costs ¥390 one-way.