Kanazawa Hot Springs & Sento Guide 2025: 11 Best Onsen, Bathhouses & Local Experiences
Kanazawa, the central city of Ishikawa prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, is an attractive tourist destination where historic streetscapes reminiscent of the 1600s harmonize with modern culture.
It is known for traditional crafts that lavishly use gold leaf, beautiful gardens including Kenrokuen Garden, and a food culture where fresh seafood can be enjoyed.
And what many travelers visiting Kanazawa in 2025 look forward to is Onsen and Sauna experiences.
In Japan, the bathing culture of soaking in warm water that springs from underground has long been established and has been cherished as a place to heal the mind and body.
This article introduces recommended spots for Kanazawa Hotspring/Sauna 2025, including bathing facilities you can visit between sightseeing activities and Onsen where you can stay and spend time leisurely.
Why not spend time healing your travel fatigue while experiencing Japan's unique bathing culture?
Various Onsen and Sento exist in Kanazawa and its surrounding areas
Japanese bathing facilities mainly have two types: Onsen and Sento.
While both share the commonality of soaking in large bathtubs, there are differences in the water source, facility atmosphere, and purpose of use.
Around Kanazawa, there are diverse bathing facilities, from Onsen surrounded by nature-rich mountains to Sento that local people routinely visit.
When visiting for tourism, it's also recommended to experience both types. By understanding the characteristics of each, you can choose a facility that matches your travel style for your Kanazawa Hotspring/Sauna 2025 experience.
What is the difference between Onsen (Hot Spring) and Sento (Local Bathhouse)?
"Onsen" refers to bathing facilities that use hot water called Onsen that naturally springs from deep underground. In Japan, where volcanic activity is active, Onsen springs up throughout the country, and various health benefits are attributed depending on the water quality.
Many Onsen are located in nature-rich places such as mountainous areas or along the coast, and are sometimes attached to ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) or hotels. The style of slowly soaking in Onsen while staying overnight and enjoying meals is popular.
There are also many facilities that can be used for day trips, so you can stop by and enjoy Onsen during your sightseeing.
Also, "Sento" are bathing facilities for local people located in town areas. They use hot water heated from groundwater or tap water, not Onsen, and have been cherished as community gathering places since the old days when homes didn't have baths.
Many charge around 500 yen, making them affordable and easily accessible, which is an attractive point.
While Onsen are enjoyed as travel or special experiences, Sento are places where you can experience local culture as part of daily life.
Recommended hot spring areas in Kanazawa, often cited as one of the purposes of tourism
There are several Onsen areas around Kanazawa that have existed since ancient times.
Some Onsen are about 30 minutes to 1 hour by car from Kanazawa city center, and can be enjoyed for day trips or overnight stays.
The time spent slowly soaking in hot springs in a quiet environment surrounded by mountains is ideal for healing travel fatigue.
From here, we'll introduce three representative Onsen areas you should definitely visit for your Kanazawa Hotspring/Sauna 2025 journey.
Yuwaku Onsen
Yuwaku Onsen is an Onsen area located about 40 minutes by car from Kanazawa city center, in a quiet mountain valley.
The Onsen in this area is said to have been discovered about 1,300 years ago, and is known as a historic place that has been loved by many cultural figures and samurai since ancient times.
It is also famous for being visited by the writer Izumi Kyoka, who was active around 1900, and used as the setting for his works.
Traditional ryokan line the streets of this Onsen town, and you can feel the atmosphere just by strolling through the retro townscape.
The water is colorless and transparent, contains sodium and calcium chloride, is gentle on the skin, and is said to be effective for neuralgia and fatigue recovery.
Since there are facilities that offer day-trip bathing without staying overnight, you can also stop by and enjoy the hot springs between sightseeing activities.
Saigawa Onsen
Source:Takitei
Saigawa Onsen is an Onsen area located upstream of the Saigawa River, which also flows through Kanazawa city. The good accessibility of about 30 minutes by car from Kanazawa station is also attractive, making it a convenient location as a base for tourism.
What's recommended in this area is the "Roten Buro" where you can bathe while listening to the murmuring of the river. Roten Buro refers to open-air bathtubs installed outdoors, and the appeal is being able to soak in Onsen while viewing natural scenery.
The water at Saigawa Onsen contains dissolved sodium and calcium chloride and is said to make skin smooth.
In this area, there are various types of accommodation facilities, from luxury ryokan to casually accessible lodgings.
There are also accommodations where you can enjoy cuisine using locally harvested vegetables and fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, so staying overnight and leisurely enjoying Onsen is also recommended.
Fukaya Onsen
Source:Ishiya
Fukaya Onsen is located in a place with excellent accessibility, about 20 minutes by car from Kanazawa city center, and is characterized by a quiet atmosphere.
Rice fields and vegetable fields spread around the area, and the attractive point is being able to enjoy peaceful countryside scenery. This Onsen area is recommended for those who want to spend relaxed time while viewing Japan's rural landscape.
The water contains sulfur and is said to be effective for dermatitis, nerves, muscle pain, poor circulation, and other conditions.
The water is amber-colored, gentle on the skin, and your body warms thoroughly after bathing. It's perfect for the cold winter season.
Traditional ryokan are scattered throughout the area, and there are also facilities that offer day-trip bathing. You can slowly soak in the hot springs in a quiet environment and relax.
After enjoying the hot springs, explore Kanazawa city with a local guide!
After refreshing your mind and body at an onsen, it's also recommended to explore the city of Kanazawa with a local guide.
English-speaking guides will show you attractive spots not found in guidebooks, such as historic streets and restaurants loved by locals.
At Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, you can stroll through the beautiful gardens of each season while learning about the aesthetics and history of Japanese gardens.
Also, at Omicho Market, beloved as the local kitchen, you can experience the lively atmosphere with fresh seafood and local ingredients lined up. The guide will introduce seasonal ingredients and street food, so you can enjoy the market more deeply.
Having the city guided from a local perspective will create more fulfilling travel memories.
- Meeting point: FamilyMart + Drug Meya Kanazawa Musashi Store
- Tour area: Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden area
- Start time: 10:00
If you're a hot spring lover, the "Kaga Onsen-kyo" in the neighboring town of Kaga is also recommended
In the neighboring Kaga City, located about 1 hour by train from Kanazawa, there is an area with hot springs called "Kaga Onsen-kyo."
This region has many popular hot springs gathered together, and it's an area that hot spring enthusiasts should definitely visit. For those seeking the ultimate Kanazawa Hotspring/Sauna 2025 experience, this destination offers an authentic retreat.
Yamashiro Onsen
Yamashiro Onsen is a hot spring area with about 1,300 years of history, and is one of the oldest hot springs in Kaga Onsen-kyo.
There are public baths called "Soyu" and "Kosoyu," and "Kosoyu" is a restoration of a public bath from the 1800s, with both the exterior and interior having a charming atmosphere that makes you feel the history.
The interior using stained glass, which was cutting-edge at the time, is impressive and worth seeing.
The water contains sodium, calcium sulfate, and chloride, and is known to have skin-beautifying effects, earning it the nickname "hot spring of beautiful women."
It's also said to be effective for muscle pain, so it's recommended after walking around various places for sightseeing.
Additionally, it's a production area for traditional ceramics called Old Kutani ware, and you can visit workshops or experience pottery making.
Yamanaka Onsen
Yamanaka Onsen is located in a nature-rich area surrounded by beautiful valleys.
The hot spring town spreads along a valley called Kakusenkei Gorge, and the environment surrounded by the murmuring of the river and greenery is an attractive point.
Walking paths are well-maintained, so you can fully enjoy nature while strolling.
The water contains calcium, sodium, and sulfate, and is said to be effective for wounds, neuralgia, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery.
Also, this region is famous as the production area for wooden crafts called "Yamanaka Shikki," and you can purchase lacquerware made with traditional techniques or visit workshops.
It's a luxurious place where you can enjoy hot springs, nature, and traditional crafts all at once.
Katayamazu Onsen
Katayamazu Onsen is a resort-like hot spring area located on the lakeside.
The attractive point is being able to soak in the hot springs while viewing the beautiful scenery of Lake Shibayama spread out before you.
The scenery especially during sunset is spectacular, and I've visited there myself and was moved by its overwhelming beauty.
The water contains sodium and calcium chloride, and is said to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, and cuts.
Sightseeing boats operate on the lakeside, and you can enjoy lake sightseeing along with the hot springs. Also, there are cycling roads around the lake that you can explore by bicycle, so it's recommended for those who want to spend time actively.
Excellent Access! 5 Recommended Sento Where You Can Experience Local Life
In Kanazawa city center, there are several Sento that local people visit regularly. The attractive point is that they are close to tourist spots and easy to drop by casually. At Sento, you can have a more local experience by bathing in the same space as the local people.
From here, I will introduce 5 particularly recommended Sento in Kanazawa for the Kanazawa Hotspring experience in 2025.
Kenroku Onsen
Source:Google Maps
Kenroku Onsen is a Sento beloved by local people, located within walking distance from Kanazawa's famous tourist spot Kenrokuen Garden. The retro building from the early 1900s is attracting attention not only from local regular customers but also from tourists as a place where you can feel Japan's traditional Sento culture.
You can experience the old-fashioned Sento flow: putting your shoes in the shoe box at the entrance, paying the fee at the Bandai, undressing in the changing room, and then entering the bathroom.
"Bandai" is a reception style unique to traditional Japanese Sento, referring to a reception counter installed at a slightly elevated position between the men's and women's changing rooms. The staff sitting here receive payment and watch over both changing rooms, checking customers' safety and responding to any troubles.
An attractive point of Kenroku Onsen is that it has a Roten Buro. When I visited, I enjoyed conversations with local regular customers while slowly soaking in the Roten Buro.
- Address: 18-36 Akatsuki-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours: 14:00-22:30 (Sundays and holidays only 13:00-22:30)
- Closed: Fridays
- Phone number: 076-221-2587
- Official website: None
Yamato Onsen
Source:Google Maps
Yamato Onsen is an old-fashioned Sento in Kanazawa's tourist area. The exterior has a simple and retro atmosphere, but at night, the hallways and building ceilings are decorated with neon tubes, becoming an artistic space - this is also a noteworthy point. This was apparently created by an artist's studio.
Casual conversations with local regular customers are one of the joys unique to Sento. Even if you can't speak Japanese, you'll be warmly welcomed just by greeting with a smile.
Also, at Japanese Sento, it's standard to drink beverages like milk after getting out of the bath. Currently, bottled milk is not sold much in Japan anymore, but here you can drink old-fashioned bottled milk. I've visited before, and the cold milk after your body is thoroughly warmed is the best.
They also accept credit cards, so you can feel safe even without cash.
- Address: 3-25-17 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours: 14:00-23:00
- Closed: Fridays
- Phone number: 076-251-4343
- Official website: None
Manten no yu Kanazawa
Source:Official website
Manten no yu Kanazawa is a large bathing facility in Kanazawa city center. It's characterized by being larger in scale than traditional Sento, with various types of bathtubs, Sauna facilities, and abundant relaxation facilities.
From the Roten Buro, you can view the starry sky if the weather is good, and as the name "Manten no yu" (Bath of the Full Sky) suggests, you can enjoy an open atmosphere.
Inside the facility, there are also rock baths, massage chairs, and rest spaces, so you can spend the whole day relaxing. By the way, rock bath is a Japanese-style Sauna where you lie down on heated natural stones to warm your body.
There's also a restaurant, so you can enjoy meals after bathing.
I've visited before, and I was able to thoroughly heal my body, tired from walking around tourist spots, in the "massage bath" like jet baths.
- Address: 5-52 Nakamura-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours: 8:00-23:00
- Closed: None
- Phone number: 076-244-4126
- Official website: https://www.manten-yu.co.jp/kanazawa
Terume Kanazawa
Source:Google Maps
Terume Kanazawa is a bathing facility with a modern atmosphere, located about 15 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station. A major feature of this facility is that it has 10 types of baths, including carbonated springs, Roten Buro, and high-temperature bathtubs.
Carbonated spring refers to water with dissolved carbon dioxide gas, said to be effective for promoting blood circulation and recovering from fatigue.
There are also multiple types of Sauna, making it an irresistible environment for Sauna lovers in 2025. Every Friday night, an event is held where staff create wind with blowers inside the Sauna, sending hot air. I've participated before, and it's hotter than I imagined, but I became captivated by that heat.
Inside the facility, there are also restaurants, cafes, and relaxation spaces, so you can spend time relaxing after bathing.
- Address: 17 Matsushima-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours: 24 hours
- Closed: None
- Phone number: 076-269-2211
- Official website: https://www.terume.net/
Game no Yu
Source:Google Maps
Game no Yu is a Sento with a homely atmosphere, located a little away from the center of Kanazawa. The major feature of this Sento is that it uses natural hot spring water. It uses Onsen that springs up from underground, and while being a Sento, you can enjoy authentic Onsen.
The water contains dissolved hydrogen carbonate, said to be effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue recovery. It's also recommended when you're tired from walking around sightseeing.
The water temperature is relatively low, making it easy to soak for long periods, and when I visit, I always take my time and soak slowly.
You might be surprised that the water color is brown, but it's a characteristic of the water, so you don't need to worry.
The fee is a reasonable 500 yen, and it's recommended for those who want to experience the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Sento.
- Address: 2-15-31 Ishibiki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business hours: 12:30-24:00
- Closed: 2 Fridays per month (irregular)
- Phone number: 076-262-4126
- Official website: None
In Kanazawa, Enjoying Onsen Attached to Ryokan is Also Recommended
Source:Banshokaku
In Kanazawa, there are also many Onsen facilities attached to ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). If you stay overnight, you can enjoy Onsen many times during your stay. And many places offer carefully prepared cuisine using Kanazawa's seasonal ingredients, so you can enjoy food together.
Also, some facilities can be used for day trips even by non-staying guests, so an attractive point is that you can stop by during sightseeing and enjoy authentic Kanazawa Hotspring facilities.
Even for day trips, there are plans where you can enjoy together with cuisine using local ingredients, so please choose according to your travel schedule.
I make staying at a ryokan with beautiful scenery and delicious food to enjoy Onsen my reward to myself. I also recommend enjoying time that flows more slowly than usual at a ryokan where you can enjoy an extraordinary experience.
When You Come to Kanazawa, Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine at Restaurants Loved by Locals!
Kanazawa is also famous as a gourmet city where you can enjoy fresh seafood and cuisine using local ingredients.
After healing your body at Onsen, I also recommend enjoying meals at restaurants loved by local people.
In particular, if you participate in a food tour that visits hidden famous restaurants that are difficult for tourists alone to find, you can experience Kanazawa's food culture more deeply.
English-speaking guides will show you around local izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and local cuisine restaurants, so there's no need to worry about language.
How about enjoying Kanazawa's night while tasting fresh seafood and local sake?
- Meeting point: In front of the clothing store "BEAMS" inside the Kohrinbo Lamoda Building
- Tour area: Around Kenrokuen
- Start time: 17:00
