When the weather turns cold, isn’t there nothing quite like a hot spring?
These days, more and more travelers who want to soak at their own pace, without worrying about other guests, are booking an onsen(Hot Springs) rental — an entire house with its own hot spring, reserved just for your group. Since you have the whole property to yourselves, you can soak in the bath as many times as you like, any time you like — a luxury unique to renting the whole house with family or friends. In this guide, we’ve hand-picked 7 onsen rentals across Eastern Japan, listed on STAY JAPAN. From kominka farmhouses with natural onsen water straight from the source, to hidden gems with free access to a nearby hot spring, here are the coziest stays to book this fall and winter.
Why an Onsen Rental Is So Popular in Japan
An onsen rental offers a different kind of appeal than a hotel or ryokan’s communal bath.
・Soak as many times as you like, whenever you like
Right after check-in, after dinner, on a chilly night or early morning — you can enjoy the onsen anytime. And since the bath is right there in the house, it’s always close at hand.
・Have freshly drawn water all to yourselves
Since no one outside your group uses the bath, you get to enjoy the water in complete privacy.
・Reassuring for families with kids and groups
With an onsen rental, you don’t need to worry about other guests, even if your kids get a little noisy. It’s a relaxed way for family and friends to spend time together.
Quick tip before you book:
many entire-house rentals are self-catering (“room only”) plans. Since most come with a fully equipped kitchen, it’s worth planning your meals ahead — whether that’s picking up fresh local ingredients to cook yourselves or checking out nearby restaurants.
1. Tohoku: Onsen Rentals with Spring Water Straight from the Source
Aomori Prefecture, Kuroishi City: Cottage Rive Gauche
— Soak in a Natural Hot Spring Straight from the Source
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Hakkoda in the Kuroishi Onsen area (Ochiai Onsen), on the banks of the Asaseishi River, this entire private cottage is known for its “beauty bath” — a natural hot spring, straight from the source, that locals consider a hidden gem. The wood-warmed interior comes with a kitchen and living room, and the spacious garden is perfect for a BBQ. With a fully private space to enjoy the onsen at your own pace, it’s an ideal stay for families and groups. Bring in seasonal Aomori ingredients and cook up a dinner that’s entirely your own.
▶︎ Type: Entire cottage, sleeps up to 8
▶︎ Onsen: Natural hot spring straight from the source (Kuroishi Onsen)
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: About 35 min by car from Aomori Airport, about 40 min by car from Shin-Aomori Station
Miyagi Prefecture, Zao Town: Four Seasons Oasis MIYAGI ZAO
— Soak in a Black Granite Bath Filled with Mt. Zao’s Own Spring Water
A refined villa retreat at the foot of Mt. Zao, part of the Gaia Resort collection of onsen rentals. The bath is filled with Zao’s own spring water, and you can enjoy a luxurious soak in an atmospheric stone-built tub. With a spacious living room and wooden deck, it’s a place to soak up a real sense of escape — ideal for anyone who wants both an authentic hot spring and a fully private space. Gaia Resort also has many other appealing onsen rentals to choose from, including pet-friendly options — and since every property is popular, it’s worth booking early for weekends.
▶︎ Type: Entire villa, sleeps up to 8
▶︎ Onsen: Natural hot spring straight from the source, black granite tub
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: About 15 min by car from Shiroishi IC or Murata IC (Tohoku Expressway), about 50 min by taxi from Sendai Airport
2. Kanto: A Grown-Up Hideaway — Soak to Your Heart’s Content in an Onsen Rental
Gunma Prefecture, Nakanojo Town: Kaneki Inn
— Two Natural Hot Spring Baths, Open 24 Hour
An adult hideaway with luxurious 24-hour hot springs, located in the Sawatari Onsen area, this entire kominka farmhouse sleeps up to 16 guests. The building has two natural hot spring baths, both open around the clock. The water is 100% fresh spring water, with no added chlorine, heating, or dilution. Known since the Edo period for leaving skin soft as jade, this legendary hot spring can be enjoyed by every member of your group, at their own pace. A pickup service from the nearest station is also available, making it easy to reach by train or bus.
▶︎ Type: Entire kominka farmhouse, sleeps up to 16
▶︎ Onsen: Two on-site natural hot spring baths, open 24 hours
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: 20 min by bus from Nakanojo Station (JR Agatsuma Line); pickup service available from the nearest station
Kanagawa Prefecture, Hakone Town: abode villa GORA Yashiro
— Both the Indoor Bath and Rotenburo Are All Yours in Gora, Hakone
Located in Gora, a quiet retreat area of Hakone, this entire 4-bedroom villa sleeps up to 12 guests. Milky-white hot spring water flows straight from the source into both an indoor bath and an open-air bath (in winter, the indoor bath is the better choice). Just 8 minutes by car from Gora Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, it’s an easy base for a group hot spring getaway. A private chef dining option is also available, perfect for anniversaries or special occasions.
▶︎ Type: Entire villa, 4 bedrooms, sleeps up to 12
▶︎ Onsen: Milky-white natural hot spring straight from the source (indoor bath and open-air rotenburo)
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (private chef dining option available)
▶︎ Access: 8 min by car from Gora Station (Hakone Tozan Railway), about 37 min by taxi from Odawara Station
3. Tokai & Izu: Ocean Views and Private Onsen Rentals, a Luxurious Escape
Shizuoka Prefecture, Izu City: Onsen Kominka irori
— 100% Source Hot Spring, Open 24 Hours, One Group a Day
Set in the Shuzenji area of Izu, this entire kominka farmhouse hosts only one group per day. The bath is filled with 100% natural hot spring water straight from the source — no added heat, no dilution — and it’s open around the clock for a relaxing soak. The traditional irori hearth also comes with free charcoal, perfect for a lively evening of grilling or a hot pot. Because only one group stays here at a time, you can enjoy both the onsen and the space without ever sharing it with strangers. It sleeps up to 5 guests, making it a great fit for small family trips or a workcation.
▶︎ Type: Entire kominka farmhouse, one group per day, sleeps up to 5
▶︎ Onsen: 100% natural hot spring straight from the source, open 24 hours
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: About 20 min by bus from Shuzenji Station (Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line), about 1 hour by car from Numazu IC
Shizuoka Prefecture, Ito City: WE HOME VILLA Jogasaki Onsen
— Every Room Has an Ocean View, and the Private Rotenburo Has an Ocean View Too
A 13-minute walk from Jogasaki-Kaigan Station on the Izukyu Line, this entire seaside property hosts just one group a day and sleeps up to 20 guests. The natural Jogasaki hot spring water flows straight from the source, and the private open-air rotenburo looks out over the ocean. An indoor bath is also included so you can enjoy the onsen no matter the weather, and every room has an ocean view — on clear days you can even spot Izu Oshima island. With indoor tennis, baseball, and soccer facilities nearby, it’s a great choice for larger groups, training camps, or company retreats.
▶︎ Type: Entire property, one group per day, sleeps up to 20
▶︎ Onsen: Jogasaki hot spring straight from the source (private open-air rotenburo and indoor bath)
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: 13 min walk from Jogasaki-Kaigan Station (Izukyu Line), 20 min walk from Izu-Kogen Station
Bonus: An Onsen Rental with Free Access to a Nearby Hot Spring
Yamanashi Prefecture, Hayakawa Town: Nagi Hütte
— This Entire Cottage by Narada Onsen Comes with Free Access to a Local Hot Springs, 2 Minutes Away
At the foot of the Southern Alps, in Hayakawa — known as Japan’s least populated town — sits this entire cottage, “Hütte.” There’s no bath inside the building itself, but guests get free access to “Narada Onsen Jotei-no-Yu,” a day-use hot spring just a 2-minute walk away. The silky, lotion-like water flowing straight from the source is a spot that even hot spring enthusiasts rave about. Paired with the hushed atmosphere of this hidden corner of Japan, it’s perfect for anyone looking for quiet healing.
▶︎ Type: Entire cottage, sleeps up to 4
▶︎ Onsen: Free, exclusive use of “Narada Onsen Jotei-no-Yu” (2-min walk, natural spring water straight from the source)
▶︎ Meals: Self-catering (fully equipped kitchen)
▶︎ Access: About 60 min by public transport from Kai-Iwama Station (JR Minobu Line), about 50 min by car from Shimobe Onsen-Hayakawa IC
Make the Most of Your Onsen Rental This Fall and Winter
We’ve introduced 7 onsen rentals across Eastern Japan. Some let you have a source-fed hot spring all to yourself, others offer exclusive access to a nearby hot spring — each with its own charm. If one of these has caught your eye, check availability on STAY JAPAN.
Looking for more countryside hot spring stays? Don’t miss 5 Winter Farmhouse Stays in Rural Japan: Snow Country, Onsen & Kotatsu Nights, or browse 9 Private Traditional Japanese Houses for Large Groups (10+) if you’re planning a bigger group trip.
Want to see more onsen properties? Check out STAY JAPAN’s full collection of Hot Spring Stays for even more options.
