When people think about visiting Japan, they often imagine famous places like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto. However, some of the most memorable experiences can actually be found in the rural areas of Japan. Today, I would like to recommend Ureshino Onsen!
This small onsen town may not be as famous internationally as other hot spring destinations, but it offers experiences just as amazing as the more famous hot spring spots. It has a relaxing atmosphere, amazing food, beautiful Japanese streets, and one of the best private onsen experiences I have had in Japan.
Riding the Mario Shinkansen to Ureshino Onsen
One of the coolest parts of the trip was taking the special Mario-themed Shinkansen. If you are planning to visit before June 30th, 2026, you can still experience this fun bullet train for yourself. Traveling on the train already made the trip feel exciting before we had even arrived at our destination.
What makes this journey even more interesting is that Ureshino-Onsen Station is actually a relatively new station. It opened in 2022 as part of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen project, which was created to improve access between cities in Kyushu and support tourism in the region. Before the station was built, Ureshino Onsen was a little harder to reach, especially for travelers relying on trains. Although the town had always been famous within Japan for its hot springs and Japanese tea, it was not as convenient for tourists compared to larger destinations.
The new Shinkansen station was designed to help revitalize the area and make travel to this part of Saga Prefecture much easier. Thanks to the station, visitors can now access Ureshino Onsen far more comfortably while exploring the rural areas of Japan.
After arriving at the station, I was honestly surprised by how modern and clean everything looked. The area around the station feels very new, stylish, and easy to walk around. Unlike some older countryside stations, Ureshino-Onsen Station has a bright and spacious design that feels welcoming for both tourists and locals.
A Surprisingly Modern Stay in Rural Japan
One thing I did not expect was how nice the hotel near the station was. We stayed at Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen, which is one of the closest hotels to Ureshino-Onsen Station. The hotel felt modern, comfortable, and surprisingly affordable compared to hotels in bigger cities in Japan.
One thing I especially enjoyed was simply walking around Ureshino-Onsen. The town has a peaceful atmosphere that feels very different from busy cities like Tokyo or Osaka. During our walks, we could see quiet rural houses, small local shops, and even people casually playing baseball at the nearby park. It felt like we were seeing a more everyday and relaxing side of Japan that many tourists miss.
As expected from an onsen town, there were also lots of foot baths around the area. These foot baths are free to use and are perfect for relaxing your tired feet after spending the day walking around town. Sitting by the warm water while enjoying the quiet surroundings honestly became one of my favorite parts of the trip.
The Suica Shop and Incredible Food
One of the most memorable places we visited during the trip was Wataya Besso. Even if you are not staying there, I highly recommend visiting because the atmosphere inside the hotel is amazing.
Inside, there are many stylish little shops, cafés, and relaxing spaces to explore. One of the coolest shops we found was a Suica-themed store. There was cute Suica merchandise, snacks, drinks, and beautifully displayed local products that made it honestly hard not to spend money there.
The overall vibe of the hotel almost felt like a small department store while still keeping the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional Japanese onsen town. There was always something interesting to look at, whether it was the stylish shops, local products, or beautifully presented food.
One thing that immediately caught my attention was the fruit sandwiches. Japanese fruit sandwiches somehow always look almost too pretty to eat, and these were no exception. The cream was soft, the fruit tasted incredibly fresh, and it honestly became one of my favorite snacks from the entire trip.
But the biggest surprise was definitely the bento.
I have eaten many bento meals across Japan, but this one honestly stood out straight away. The fluffy egg, rich sauce, juicy meat, and warm rice all tasted incredibly fresh! I think that is one of the best things about travelling through rural Japan. The ingredients often feel fresher, more seasonal, and prepared with genuine care, which makes even a small bento memorable.
The atmosphere at Wataya Besso matched the food perfectly. The hotel felt calm, stylish, and relaxing in a way that made me want to stay much longer. There were cozy spaces to sit, shops to explore, delicious snacks to try, and of course the onsen to enjoy at your own pace. Honestly, next time I visit Ureshino Onsen, I would love to stay there myself because it felt like the kind of place where you could happily spend the entire day without ever needing to leave the hotel.
Walking around Ureshino Onsen
Ureshino Onsen has a calm and relaxing atmosphere that really lives up to its name. The “Ureshi” (嬉) in Ureshino comes from the Japanese word 嬉しい (ureshii), which means “happy” or “joyful.” After spending time there, I honestly feel like the name suits the town perfectly. The peaceful atmosphere, warm hot springs, and friendly local vibe naturally make you feel relaxed and happy.
As we explored, we saw traditional buildings, small local shops, and of course, foot baths! There is something really relaxing about simply walking through the streets while hearing the sounds of flowing water and seeing steam rise into the air from the hot springs nearby.
If you love onsen and want to experience a quieter side of Japan, I highly recommend places like Ureshino Onsen.
Best Private Onsen Experience
The highlight of the trip was visiting a private onsen.
For many people visiting Japan for the first time, public baths can feel intimidating. Some people feel nervous about bathing with strangers, while others simply want a more relaxing and private experience.
The private onsen we visited was Ureshino Kodachi no Yu, and it was surprisingly affordable while still feeling luxurious for the price.
One thing that makes Ureshino Onsen famous is the quality of its hot spring water. The water here is known for making your skin feel incredibly smooth, and after soaking in the bath, I could honestly understand why so many people love this place.
The atmosphere at the private onsen was peaceful and calming, making it the perfect way to slow down after spending the day walking around town. Perfect ending to the day.
Ending the Day With Japanese Tea
Ureshino is well known for producing high-quality Japanese tea, so naturally we had to try a matcha sundae before leaving.
Honestly, this was the perfect ending to the trip.
The rich matcha flavor paired perfectly with the soft ice cream, and it felt like such a relaxing way to end the day after the onsen.
Places like Ureshino Onsen show a quieter and more relaxing side of Japan that many tourists never get to experience.
Between the Mario Shinkansen, delicious food, relaxing private onsen, peaceful Japanese streets, and amazing tea, this became one of my favorite trips in Japan.
If you are looking for a relaxing getaway and want to explore the rural areas of Japan, I highly recommend adding Ureshino Onsen to your travel list.