3 Spa & Onsen Days in Kyoto Worth Planning Around

1.Nara and Uji Day Trip with Deer Park and Hot Spring

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 302 reviews · 10 hours · from $57Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Osaka to Nara and Uji, with a multilingual guide, deer crackers, temple visits, matcha stops and time at Genji no Yu hot spring. You’ll have roughly two hours in Nara and 90 minutes in Uji, plus an hour for bathing. Temple and onsen admissions, meals and drinks cost extra, and the guide varies by departure.

“Didn’t get to do the hot springs, so was a little disappointed”

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2.Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $80Top rated

Ride the Eizan railway from Kyoto to the mountain villages of Kibune and Kurama, then hike a forest trail past shrines and up to Kurama Temple. Your English- or French-speaking guide shares local history and legends. The four-hour outing ends in Kurama, where you can eat, explore, or pay extra for the hot spring.

“Phillip was a fantastic guide! Knowledgeable, down to earth, and fun. He knew all the cool people most people don’t know about. Plus, the views and history are excellent. I’d highly recommend taking this tour!”

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3.Guide tour of Japanese bathing culture at Funaoka Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $45Best value

Local guide Atsuki introduces Japanese public-bath culture over a drink at Sarasa Nishijin, a cafe in a former bathhouse, then explains bathing etiquette before you try it at Funaoka Onsen. The 90-minute tour is capped at five people. Bathing is nude and separated by gender, so couples bathe apart.

“Good explanation from enthusiastic guide about the onsen tradition in Japan. After the explanation paid a visit and took a bath in a relaxed way. Recommended!Auto-translated”

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