Oarai Onsen is a hot spring area in Oarai, a coastal town in Ibaraki Prefecture. Set along the Pacific, it has a different mood from Japan’s inland spa towns: the appeal here is the meeting of hot spring bathing and open sea views, with the sound of waves never far away.
The area is often visited as part of a wider stay in Oarai, where the shoreline, fishing port atmosphere, and shrine-lined coast give the town its character. Rather than feeling secluded or old-fashioned in the classic onsen sense, Oarai Onsen is best appreciated for its relaxed seaside setting and its easy connection to everyday local life.
