Japan Nature and Onsen Trip from NZ
We're based in New Zealand and design Japan trips for people all over the world.
Custom Japan nature and onsen holidays for New Zealand travellers, built around the country's quiet side: steaming hot springs, forest trails, mountain views, and slow mornings in traditional ryokan. From the snow-fringed baths of the north to the misty valleys of the south, every Japan360 nature trip is designed around your pace and the seasons.
This is Japan, your way.
Why a nature and onsen trip
Japan is famous for its cities, but its real magic is often found in the quiet places. This kind of trip is built around two of the country's most loved experiences: onsen and ryokan.
An onsen is a natural hot spring, heated by the earth and rich in minerals. Bathing in one, often outdoors with a view of snow, forest, or mountains, is a cherished part of Japanese life and one of the most relaxing things you can do anywhere. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, usually with tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, beautiful multi-course meals, and its own onsen baths. Staying in one is an experience in itself, and a highlight of any nature trip.
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Together they offer something a city holiday cannot: rest, beauty, and the kind of stillness that is hard to find anywhere else. Soaking in an outdoor onsen as snow falls around you, walking ancient cedar forests, or watching mist lift off a mountain valley are the moments travellers remember most.
Regions we build trips around
Japan's hot spring and nature regions each have their own character. We match them to the experience you are after.
Hakone and Fuji Five Lakes
Classic onsen country within easy reach of Tokyo, with views of Mount Fuji and a rich art and garden scene.
Nozawa Onsen and the Nagano valleys
Traditional hot spring towns, snow monkeys, and mountain air, beautiful in both winter and green seasons.
Tohoku and the north
Remote, unspoilt, and deeply traditional. Some of Japan's most atmospheric baths and quietest landscapes.
Kyushu and Beppu
The hot spring heartland of the south, with steaming valleys, sand baths, and lush volcanic scenery.
Yakushima and the southern forests
Ancient cedar forests and misty trails, a paradise for walkers and nature lovers.
What's included in a Japan360 nature and onsen trip
A Japan360 nature and onsen trip is fully custom. Here is what we typically take care of:
Ryokan and onsen stays
Traditional inns with private or public baths, chosen to match the experience and comfort level you want.
Routes and transport
Scenic rail journeys and transfers planned so you spend less time in transit and more time soaking it in.
Walks and nature experiences
Forest trails, guided walks, and viewpoints matched to your fitness and interests, at whatever pace suits you.
Seasonal timing
We plan around what each region does best in each season, from autumn colour to fresh snow.
Sample 10-day nature and onsen itinerary
A relaxed loop combining classic and off-the-path hot spring country. Every itinerary is built from scratch, so treat this as a starting point.
Day 1 to 2:
Arrive in Tokyo, ease in with a gentle first day.
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Day 3 to 4:
Hakone for onsen, Mount Fuji views, and lakeside art.
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Day 5 to 6:
Travel into the Takayama for traditional towns and mountain air.
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Day 7 to 8:
Travel to Kyoto for temples and traditional view.
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Day 9 to 10:
A final quiet stay before returning to Osaka or Tokyo to fly home.
Best time for a nature and onsen trip
Onsen are wonderful year round, but each season offers something different. Winter brings the magic of bathing in the snow. Autumn wraps the baths in red and gold leaves. Spring adds cherry blossom, and the green months bring lush forests and cooler mountain air. We help you choose the timing that suits the experience you are after.
Onsen, sento and Japanese bath houses: what's the difference?
An onsen is a bath fed by natural hot spring water, and it is what most people picture when they think of a Japanese bath house. A sento is the neighbourhood version, heated water rather than spring water, and a lovely slice of everyday Japan. Many ryokan have their own onsen baths, and some offer private ones you can book, which is ideal if you are new to Japanese bathing or travelling as a couple or family. If you have tattoos, we plan around onsen that welcome them. Bathing etiquette is simple once you know it, and we include a plain guide with every nature and onsen itinerary.
Travelling from outside New Zealand?
Japan360 is a New Zealand based travel agency, serving travellers worldwide.
Every trip we design is land-only, so you book your own flights from wherever home is, and we build your itinerary around your arrival and departure dates.
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Travelling as a group spread across different countries?
We invoice each traveller individually and accept payment in a range of currencies, so everyone can pay their own share directly, without one person carrying the cost. Wherever you are in the world, the service is the same: a free consultation first, an itinerary designed around you, and personal support the whole way, including WhatsApp while you are in Japan.
Why Japan360, Meet Chika
My name is Chika Fisk. I was born and raised in Japan, and I now live in New Zealand where I married a New Zealander and raised our three children.
Before founding Japan360, I worked for a major travel agency in Japan, and then for a Japanese study abroad agency where I travelled with students to Australia and New Zealand. That background, combined with years of living in both countries, is what makes Japan360 different from any other Japan holiday specialist in NZ.
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I understand Japan from the inside: the language, the culture, the relationships you need to make things happen on the ground. And I understand New Zealand travellers, because I am part of this community. When I build your Japan holiday package, I am not working from a template. I am creating something I would be genuinely proud to put my own family through, and that standard is what every Japan360 trip is held to.
Nature and Onsen Trip FAQ
Do I need to be comfortable with public bathing?
Not at all. Many ryokan offer private baths, either in your room or bookable for your group, so you can enjoy the onsen experience in complete privacy. We match the stays to your comfort level.
Are onsen suitable for families?
Yes. Plenty of hot spring towns and ryokan are very family-friendly, and private baths make it easy for families to relax together. We will plan around your group.
Can I visit onsen if I have tattoos?
Some public baths have tattoo rules, but many ryokan with private baths are perfectly fine, and attitudes are relaxing across the country. We choose stays where tattoos will not be an issue for you.
How much walking is involved?
Entirely up to you. We can plan gentle, mostly restful trips, or build in proper hikes and forest walks. Just tell us your fitness and interests.
What is a ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, usually with tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, hot spring baths, and beautiful multi-course meals. Staying in one is an experience in itself, and a highlight of any nature trip
When is the best time to go?
Each season has its own appeal, from snowy winter baths to autumn colour. Tell us what you are hoping for and we will recommend the best timing.
Can I book with Japan360 if I live outside New Zealand?
Yes. Japan360 is based in New Zealand and designs trips for travellers worldwide. Every trip is land-only, so you book your own flights from wherever home is, and we build the itinerary around your arrival and departure. For groups spread across countries, we invoice each traveller individually and accept payment in a range of currencies.
What is the difference between an onsen and a Japanese bath house?
An onsen uses natural hot spring water, while a sento, the classic neighbourhood bath house, uses heated water. Both follow the same simple etiquette, and we include a plain bathing guide with every itinerary.