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Planning Your Christmas and New Year Onsen Trip in Japan: What's Open?

Updated August 10, 2026 · Reviewed by auto (grounded facts + verify)

Planning a Japanese onsen trip during Christmas and New Year's? You're in for a magical experience, but it's crucial to know what's open and book well in advance. While Christmas Day is generally a normal business day, the period from late December to early January is Japan's busiest travel season, with many places, especially shops and restaurants, closed on January 1st. However, temples and shrines are open, and onsen facilities are popular destinations.

This guide will help you navigate the holiday period, understand booking necessities, and discover some onsen towns that welcome visitors during this festive time.

Is It Possible to Visit Onsen During Christmas and New Year?

Yes, visiting onsen during Christmas and New Year is very possible and can be a wonderfully unique experience. Many onsen resorts and traditional ryokans operate throughout the holiday season, offering a warm escape from the winter chill. However, it's important to understand that this period, particularly from December 28th to January 3rd, is a peak travel time in Japan [1]. This means popular onsen destinations will be busy, and accommodation will be in high demand.

Booking Your Onsen Stay: The Importance of Advance Planning

If you dream of staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with onsen access during the Christmas and New Year holidays, booking is essential. Reservations for this peak season often need to be made 3 to 6 months in advance [1, 3]. Premium rates are common, and availability can be very limited, especially for well-known or luxurious establishments. While Christmas Day itself is not a public holiday in Japan and may see fewer crowds compared to New Year's week, it's still wise to book ahead if you have specific dates in mind [1].

What About Day-Use Onsen?

For those not staying overnight, day-use onsen facilities are also a great option. These typically offer a more flexible and often more affordable way to enjoy hot springs. Prices for day-use onsen usually range from 500 to 2,000 yen [7]. While many day-use facilities will be open, it's always best to check their specific holiday hours, as some might have reduced operating times or be closed on January 1st.

Navigating Holiday Closures: What to Expect

Japan observes its own set of holidays, with New Year's Day (January 1st) being the most significant. Many businesses, including shops, restaurants, and some tourist attractions, will be closed on one or more days between December 29th and January 4th, with January 1st being the most common closure day [5].

However, this does not mean your travel plans are ruined. Temples and shrines remain open and are particularly popular during this time for Hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year [5]. Onsen facilities, being a major draw for both domestic and international tourists, are generally operational, though it's always wise to verify their specific holiday schedules.

Popular Onsen Destinations and Their Holiday Operations

While specific opening hours for every single onsen are beyond the scope of this guide, certain regions and towns are known for their onsen and are generally welcoming to visitors during the holidays.

Winter Wonderland Onsen: Snow-Viewing Baths

Winter is a magical time to visit onsen, especially for yukimi-buro (snow-viewing baths) [20]. Imagine soaking in a steaming hot spring while snowflakes gently fall around you. Popular destinations for this experience include:

• Ginzan Onsen: Famous for its beautifully preserved Taisho-era architecture and gas-lit streets, Ginzan Onsen offers a nostalgic and picturesque winter onsen experience [2].
• Kusatsu Onsen: One of Japan's most famous onsen towns, known for its hot spring quality and traditional Yubatake (hot water field) [2].
• Noboribetsu: Located in Hokkaido, this onsen town is set in a volcanic landscape and offers a variety of hot spring types [2].

Tattoo-Friendly Onsen Options

A common concern for onsen visitors is tattoo policies. Traditionally, tattoos were associated with organized crime in Japan, leading many onsen to ban them [10]. However, this is changing, and many facilities are becoming more tattoo-friendly [11].

• Kinosaki Onsen: This charming onsen town has made efforts to be welcoming to all visitors, including those with tattoos [11].
• Beppu Onsen: One of Japan's largest onsen towns, Beppu also has a growing number of tattoo-friendly establishments [11].

Many onsen allow tattoos if they are covered with waterproof patches, or they may offer private onsen baths as an alternative [10, 12].

Onsen with Special New Year's Events

Some areas offer unique New Year's experiences alongside their onsen.

• Hakone: This popular mountain resort town near Tokyo hosts "New Year's Celebration Fireworks" on January 1st over Lake Ashi, organized by Hakone Shrine [22]. Hakone is also known for its beautiful onsen resorts [17].

Browse Hakone ryokan & hotel deals on Expedia →

Onsen Known for Specific Water Qualities

• Yufuin Onsen: In Oita Prefecture, Yufuin is celebrated for its abundant, gentle, alkaline hot spring water, which is said to be effective for joint and muscle pain [24].
• Shibu Onsen: Located near the Jigokudani Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen offers nine distinct public baths, each with different medicinal properties. Access to these baths is often provided via a special key from local ryokans [26].

Find Shibu Onsen onsen tickets & tours on Klook →

Onsen Etiquette: Ensuring a Pleasant Experience

Regardless of when you visit, understanding onsen etiquette is key to a respectful and enjoyable experience [14, 16].

• Wash First: Always wash your body thoroughly at the shower station before entering the hot spring bath [9].
• Naked Bathing: Swimsuits are not allowed in traditional onsen baths; you must bathe naked [9].
• Towel Management: Keep your small bath towel out of the water. It can be used to wash or to sit on outside the bath [14].
• Hair: Tie up long hair to prevent it from entering the water [9].
• Quiet Atmosphere: Maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy [9].

Private Onsen: A Stress-Free Option

For those who prefer more privacy or have tattoos that may be an issue, private onsen baths are an excellent alternative [21]. These can be:

• In-room Baths: Many ryokans offer rooms with private onsen baths attached.
• Hourly Rentals: Some onsen facilities allow you to rent private baths for a set period, typically costing between 2,000 and 5,000 yen for 60 minutes [21].

This option provides a stress-free way to enjoy the benefits of hot springs without worrying about tattoo policies or communal bathing [21].

Browse onsen ryokan stays across Japan on Expedia →

Transportation During the Holidays

Traveling around Japan during the New Year period can be challenging due to high demand. Intercity and Shinkansen trains are heavily booked from December 28th to January 2nd [6]. It is highly recommended to make seat reservations for trains 3-4 days in advance, or be prepared to queue for non-reserved seats [6].

Summary of Key Considerations for Your Holiday Onsen Trip

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By understanding these points and planning ahead, your Christmas and New Year onsen trip to Japan can be a truly unforgettable and relaxing experience.

Sources

[1] japannaturestays.com — https://japannaturestays.com/blog/when-to-book-ryokan-japan/ [2] japanryokanguide.com — https://www.japanryokanguide.com/en/blog/best-winter-onsen [3] japanryokanguide.com — https://www.japanryokanguide.com/en/blog/when-to-book-ryokan-japan [5] japan-guide.com — https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2276.html [6] jrpass.com — https://www.jrpass.com/blog/traveling-in-japan-around-the-holiday-period-what-you-need-to-know [7] hot-spring-inn.com — https://www.hot-spring-inn.com/the-real-cost-of-an-onsen-ryokan-stay-what-your-room-rate-actually-covers [9] lonelyplanet.com — https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/what-is-an-onsen-in-japan [10] kashiwaya.org — https://www.kashiwaya.org/e/magazine/onsen/tattoos.html [11] tattoofriendlyonsen.com — https://www.tattoofriendlyonsen.com/guides/can-you-visit-onsen-in-japan-with-tattoos [12] acloset.app — https://www.acloset.app/magazine/japan-onsen-tattoo-policy-and-bathing-etiquette-what-travel/ [14] selfguidejapan.com — https://selfguidejapan.com/blog/japan-onsen-etiquette [16] banyantree.com — https://www.banyantree.com/japan/kyoto/experiences/onsen-and-hot-spring-etiquette-in-japan [17] hakone-japan.com — https://hakone-japan.com/things-to-do/onsen/how-to-enjoy-onsen/how-to-onsen-in-japan/ [20] onsentimes.com — https://onsentimes.com/snow-onsen-and-beyond-the-best-season-to-visit-japans-hot-springs-and-why-every-answer-is-correct/ [21] ryokanretreat.com — https://ryokanretreat.com/private-onsen-in-japan/ [22] magical-trip.com — https://www.magical-trip.com/media/hakone-in-december-new-years-eve-fireworks-illuminations-hatsumode-guide/ [24] hoshinoresorts.com — https://en.hoshinoresorts.com/guide/area/kyushu/oita/yufuin/yuhuin-higaerionsen/ [26] travelynotes.com — https://www.travelynotes.com/blog-japan/a-winter-experience-in-japan-a-guide-to-shibu-onsen-and-the-snow-monkey-park