Onsen (Hot Springs)
Getting into hot water is a highlight of any trip to Japan and there are top onsen the length and breadth of the archipeligo.
Atmospheric onsen towns well worth a night or two include my favourite Kinosaki Onsen, Ginzan Onsen and Yufuin - while more developed onsen tourism towns include Noboribetsu Onsen, Atami Onsen and Beppu.
Skiers & boarders rave about onsen ski resorts such as Nozawa Onsen and Zaō Onsen - and even if other ski areas aren’t technically onsen resorts (with natural hot springs), they’ll have plenty of hot water for you to hop into.