[2026] Masterpieces that sing of hot springs. Songs that make you want to go to a hot spring.
Hot springs are wonderful, aren’t they?
A bath at home feels great, but hot springs are on a whole different level.
There’s the allure of nostalgic hot spring towns and the joy of savoring an escape from the everyday.
In this article, we introduce songs themed around hot springs and special tracks that will make you want to visit one.
Along with local songs that tell stories about hot springs, we’ve also gathered a few tunes related to things like table tennis.
It’s music with the same relaxing effect as a hot spring.
Whether you’re about to head to a hot spring or haven’t been in a while, refresh yourself with these hot spring songs!
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[2026] Masterpieces that sing about hot springs. Songs that make you want to go to a hot spring (11–20)
Rabbit Onsen BalladKadokawa Hiroshi
A ballad-style ondo song depicting a small flirtation unfolding in a hot-spring town where steam rises into the air.
Looking up at the moon floating in the sky, Hiroshi Kadokawa’s vocals leave you with a feeling that’s somehow both wistful and warm—truly captivating.
This piece was originally produced as an insert song for the drama “An-chan,” which aired from October 1982.
It was never released at the time and became a phantom ondo, but it was included on the album “Eiichi Ohtaki NOVELTY SONG BOOK / NIAGARA ONDO BOOK,” released in March 2023.
The playful yet lyrical sound crafted by Eiichi Ohtaki and Takashi Matsumoto really sinks into the heart.
Whether you listen to it on the way to a hot-spring trip or during a relaxing evening at home, it’s sure to give you an exquisite moment of relaxation.
Hot Spring DittyNinomiya Yukiko
Sung by Yukiko Ninomiya, whose clear voice was honed as a children’s song singer and brightened the Showa-era pop scene, this is the quintessential local tune brimming with hot-spring charm! Released in 1966, this classic features lyrics by Yuki Tanaka and music by Seiichi Sakurada, and it’s delightful how it takes you from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south, showcasing hot spring resorts all across Japan.
The swift scene changes in the lyrics—from honeymoon trips to group tours—are vivid, and just listening makes you feel like you’re on a hot spring-hopping journey.
Ninomiya’s light, airy vocals and the shamisen-infused rhythm are perfect for party banquets, too.
Sing it at karaoke and you’re guaranteed a great time with everyone joining in with calls and claps! Give it a try and sing it with a traveler’s spirit.
Town of Steam and Hot SpringsMori Shinichi
A travel-tinged song by Shinichi Mori, a singer who has long expressed the heart of Japan with his husky voice.
Considered a signature work from the period when he was experimenting with a fusion of folk and enka, this single was released in December 1974.
It poignantly and beautifully portrays a man visiting a secluded mountain hot spring alone, confronting his lingering feelings for a former lover while enveloped by a rock bath and the murmuring river.
A rock ballad whose quiet scenic imagery seeps into the heart, it gently warms the listener as well.
At the time, it peaked at No.
13 on the Oricon charts and opened the album “Yukemuri no Machi,” making it a longtime favorite among fans.
It’s a number you’ll want to play when you need to get away from the bustle and relax, or on a night when you want to savor the serene mood of a hot spring on your own.
The heart belongs to me, the hot-spring beauty.biteki keikaku
“My Heart Belongs to the Hot Spring Beauty feat.
Nazojo” captivates with its melodic lines and striking title.
It’s a work from BITEKI KEIKAKU, the project led by Gen Hoshino? (Note: Actually by Enon Kawatani), known for songs performed by different vocalists, and it’s included on the 2021 debut album “BITEKI.” Set against the backdrop of a hot spring trip, the song poignantly portrays a forbidden romance and a gray-area relationship that continues despite never truly coming together—its melancholy seeps in along with the musical mood.
Nazojo’s vocals heighten the fragility, and together with the languid, nostalgic soundscape, the song leaves a strong impression as a hot-spring-themed track with the feel of a romantic escape.
hot spring geishaGogatsu Midori
Onsen Geisha is a song about a romance that blossoms at a hot spring.
Released in 1964 by enka singer Midori Satsuki, known for her hits in the “Kite ne” (“Please Come”) series, it laid the groundwork for the later “Geisha Series.” It tells the story of a country hot spring geisha who falls in love with a man, expressing the poignant feeling of loving him yet being unable to follow him.
Though the tune is cheerful and lively with a uniquely Japanese flavor, it’s also wrapped in a certain bittersweetness that seems to convey her inner turmoil.
Midori’s refined, modest delivery is wonderful as well.
Etranger in the Hot Spring TownKIRINJI
The intro leaves an impression that’s a bit different from what you’d expect for a hot spring—and for good reason.
Rather than being about the hot spring itself, this song is themed around a hot spring town.
Each region’s hot spring towns have their own distinct character, and they’re a part of Japanese culture we can proudly share with the world.
With the unique vibe of entertainment districts, the presence of people with “complicated” backstories, and all sorts of angles to view them from, it’s a fascinating world.
Written from that perspective, the song pairs wryly humorous, unique lyrics with an urbane, floating sound, making it a truly sophisticated ode to hot springs.
[2026] Classic songs about hot springs: Tunes that make you want to visit an onsen (21–30)
WOW WAR TONIGHT ~ Sometimes You Gotta Start a MovementAAA
Not just as a polite formality, there’s that familiar line, “We should go to a hot spring sometime,” right? This song was released in 1995, but since then Japanese people have still been working too hard.
Taking a moment to pause and reflect on yourself—maybe a trip to a hot spring wouldn’t be a bad idea.