🇯🇵 $100 vs $600 Japan Hot Springs: Budget vs Luxury Onsen

Why Every Trip to Japan Needs an Onsen Stay

A trip to Japan isn’t complete without an authentic Japanese hot spring (onsen) experience. Every time we visit, we make it a priority to stay at a ryokan—a traditional Japanese inn—because we absolutely love everything about it. You can enjoy rejuvenating onsen baths as well as elaborate kaiseki meals. The world-class hospitality provides an unmatched way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.

In this episode, we’ll take you through the highlights of a budget-friendly onsen versus a luxury onsen and help you decide which one suits your travel style. Spoiler alert: Both offer incredible experiences, but the difference is night and day!

Why Niigata? A Hidden Gem in Japan

Niigata is one of Japan’s favorite destinations for a relaxing getaway, and it’s easy to see why. Known as the rice capital of Japan, Niigata produces the highly prized Koshi Hikari rice, which also makes it a hub for premium sake production. Beyond food, the prefecture is celebrated for its natural hot springs (onsens), ski resorts, and beautiful coastlines, making it a must-visit destination year-round.

In winter, Niigata transforms into a snow paradise, attracting ski and snowboard lovers to top resorts like Naeba Ski Resort, Gala Yuzawa, and Myoko Kogen. In summer, locals head to Sado Island to explore its beaches, gold mines, and hiking trails. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, Niigata offers something for everyone.

Budget vs. Luxury: Our Onsen Experiences in Niigata

1. Yasuda Onsen Yasuragi ($100/Night Onsen Experience)

📍 Address: Japan, 〒959-2221 Niigata, Agano, Yasuda, 6075-3 安田温泉やすらぎ

⭐ Rating: 3.9 stars (681 Google Reviews)

✨First Impressions

Yasuda Onsen Yasuragi is a budget-friendly option that we booked for ¥15,000 JPY ($150 CAD) for two people. It’s a simple ryokan that doubles as a public bathhouse, so the ambiance is functional rather than luxurious.

We checked in at the no-frills front desk, picked up yukatas (light cotton robes traditionally worn in ryokans), and headed to our spacious, clean room, which had tatami mats already laid out.

♨️ The Onsen Experience

The baths were divided into two sections:

Outdoor Open-Air Baths: Two large baths filled with 100% natural hot spring water, rich in sodium chloride minerals known for improving circulation. The water had a light brown, salty hue.
Indoor Baths: Three or four pools of varying temperatures, although the differences were subtle.

I also tried the steam sauna, which was relaxing but intense—I lasted just 3 minutes! Afterwards, I felt refreshed and had one of the best sleeps of my life.

🍽️ Breakfast

The next morning, we enjoyed a simple Japanese-style breakfast with rice, grilled salmon, side dishes, and natto. It was filling but nothing memorable.

⚖️ Our Verdict

For ¥15,000 JPY ($150 CAD), Yasuragi was a great option for a quick and affordable onsen experience. While it didn’t blow us away, it offered solid value for the price.

2. Tsukioka Onsen Shiratama no Yu Senkei ($650/Night Luxury Onsen Experience)

📍 Address: 453 Tsukiokaonsen, Shibata, Niigata 959-2338, Japan

⭐ Rating: 4.3 stars (1,510 Google Reviews)

✨First Impressions

From the moment we arrived at Shiratama no Yu Senkei, the experience was pure luxury. As we pulled up to the entrance, the staff was lined up outside, dressed in elegant yukatas, ready to greet us with warm smiles. Our luggage was promptly whisked away, and we were escorted into a serene lounge for check-in.

While sipping on freshly brewed coffee and enjoying creamy yogurt ice cream (an unexpected but delightful treat), we couldn’t help but feel like royalty. This wasn’t just a hotel—it was an invitation to relax, unwind, and immerse ourselves in Japanese hospitality at its finest.

Our room was spacious and luxurious, featuring high ceilings and large windows that framed breathtaking views of the countryside. The private in-room bathtub was essentially a mini-onsen, which we appreciated, though we had already booked a 45-minute private onsen session for later in the evening.

♨️ The Onsen Experience

The Shiratama no Yu hot spring water at this ryokan is famous across Japan. Its emerald green hue comes from its exceptionally high sulfur content, which is known for its skin-beautifying and health-boosting properties.

What Makes Shiratama no Yu Special?

Emerald-Green Water: The onsen’s distinct color is visually stunning and adds to the relaxing ambiance.
Skin Benefits: The sulfur and alkaline minerals gently exfoliate, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it feeling silky smooth.
Therapeutic Effects: The high sulfur levels help alleviate muscle pain, improve blood circulation, and even support the immune system.

The public baths included a mix of indoor and outdoor pools, each filled with the emerald-green water at a soothing 39–42°C. The outdoor onsen overlooked a tranquil rock garden, which was beautifully lit in the evening, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

🛁 Private Onsen Experience

For an even more exclusive experience, we booked a 45-minute private onsen session, which was a highlight of our stay. The private bath was a secluded haven surrounded by natural stone and greenery, providing us with complete tranquility.

Our Tip: We highly recommend scheduling your private onsen session after dinner to enjoy the relaxing warmth under the moonlit sky.

The therapeutic heat of the water, combined with the calming sound of nature, made it an incredibly peaceful and intimate experience. While 45 minutes might not seem long, the intense heat of the sulfur-rich water made it the perfect duration.

🍽️ The Kaiseki Dinner

One of the most unforgettable aspects of our stay was the kaiseki dinner, a traditional Japanese multi-course meal that was truly a work of art. Each dish was meticulously prepared to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the presentation was almost too beautiful to eat.

The meal included:

Appetizers: A variety of delicate bites showcasing the season’s best ingredients.
Sashimi: Freshly sliced and served with wasabi and soy sauce, each piece melted in our mouths.
Grilled Dishes: Perfectly seared beef and fish, packed with umami flavor.
Dessert: Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, dessert arrived, and somehow, we made room for it!

Our Verdict: This was one of the best meals of our lives. The balance of flavors, the care put into each dish, and the attentive service made it a dining experience we’ll remember forever.

🍽️ Breakfast Buffet

One of the most unforgettable aspects of our stay was the kaiseki dinner, a traditional Japanese multi-course The next morning, the breakfast buffet offered a mix of Western and traditional Japanese dishes, catering to a wide range of preferences. A standout feature was the mochi-making event, where guests could try their hand at pounding rice to make fresh mochi.

We enjoyed sampling the freshly prepared mochi served in three different styles, which added a fun and interactive element to the meal.

⚖️ Our Verdict

At ¥60,000 JPY ($600 CAD) per night, Tsukioka Onsen Shiratama no Yu Senkei offers a truly luxurious experience. From the moment we arrived to the time we checked out, every detail was thoughtfully curated to make our stay unforgettable.

The combination of the emerald-green onsen waters, exquisite kaiseki dining, and impeccable hospitality made it worth every penny. If you’re looking to indulge in true Japanese luxury and create lifelong memories, this is the place to do it.

Final Thoughts

Both onsens offered unique experiences, but the difference between a $100/night and $600/night stay was undeniable. While Yasuda Onsen Yasuragi was affordable and functional, Senkei’s luxury atmosphere, incredible meals, and personalized service made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you’re planning a trip to Niigata, your choice depends on your budget and priorities. For a quick and cost-effective escape, Yasuragi works well. But if you want to indulge in true Japanese hospitality, splurging on a luxury onsen like Senkei is worth it!

Have you ever stayed at an onsen? Which experience would you prefer? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out our Niigata Onsen Adventure on YouTube.

How to Get to Niigata

Getting to Niigata from Tokyo is convenient, with options for every type of traveler. Here’s how you can make the journey:

1. 🚅 By Train (Joetsu Shinkansen)

Time: ~2 hours from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station.
Cost: ¥10,500–¥12,500 JPY ($95–$115 CAD) one way.
Why Choose This: The shinkansen is fast, reliable, and offers stunning views of Japan’s countryside, especially during winter when the fields are covered in snow.

2. 🚗 By Car

Drive Time: ~4–5 hours from Tokyo.Cost:
Car Rental: ¥7,000–¥12,000 JPY/day ($65–$110 CAD).
Highway Tolls: ¥6,000–¥7,000 JPY ($55–$65 CAD) one way.
Why Choose This: Renting a car is great if you want to explore remote areas like Echigo-Tsumari Art Field or Sado Island or stop by the outlet malls like we did to break up the drive and fit in some shopping! 🛍️

3. 🚞 By **Scenic Train (Shu*Kura Joyful Train)**

Time: Varies based on route.
Cost: ¥2,500–¥5,000 JPY ($25–$50 CAD).
Why Choose This: Enjoy sake tastings, live music, and breathtaking countryside views onboard this unique train experience.

Photo Credits:
All onsen images are courtesy of the respective hotels: