If you want the grimy, retro, "Public Safety employee" experience, you must visit Funaoka Onsen in Northern Kyoto. Opened in 1923, this Showa-era bathhouse is a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. It feels exactly like the bathhouse Kobeni would avoid: old tiles, fading murals of Mt. Fuji, and electric tattoos yakuza might have.
Fujimoto is notoriously secretive about his real-life references, but fans have (through painstaking panel-to-pixel matching) identified the most likely inspiration for the infamous hot spring scene.
The hot spring town depicted in Chainsaw Man is modeled after Nasu Onsen (Nasu Hot Springs) in Tochigi Prefecture.
Located in the northern part of Tochigi, Nasu is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts. It is easily accessible from Tokyo, making it a popular weekend getaway. The area is known for its sulfur springs, lush nature, and a slightly mysterious atmosphere that fits perfectly with the supernatural elements of Chainsaw Man.
In the manga, the team takes a trip to a hot spring inn that feels miles away from the concrete jungle of Tokyo. While the specific location is fictional, the atmosphere draws heavy inspiration from the rustic inns of Gunma Prefecture or the snowy reaches of Hokkaido. Chainsaw Man Hot Spring Travel
Why these spots?
Before we pack our towels, we need to understand the weight of water in Fujimoto’s world. Unlike the sterile hospital rooms or the blood-spattered alleys of Tokyo, the hot spring represents a fantasy of normalcy.
In Chapter 52, after defeating the eternity of the Leech Devil, the gang heads to a rustic inn. For a few precious panels, they aren't Devil Hunters. They are kids. Denji stares at breasts (classic), Aki pours sake, and Power tries to drown. The hot spring is not just a bath; it is a ceasefire. In the Chainsaw Man universe, where death is cheap and Makima is watching, the onsen is the only neutral zone.
Traveling to these locations allows fans to step into that ceasefire. It is the act of saying, "I survived the Maki-meltdown, and I deserve a soak." If you want the grimy, retro, "Public Safety
When you head to the baths, keep in mind the distinct personalities of Division 4.
The Denji Experience: Go in with zero expectations and come out amazed. Denji approaches hot springs with pure, unadulterated joy. For the full experience, sigh loudly, slump your shoulders, and mutter, "This is the life," as the heat soothes your muscles.
The Aki Experience: This is the stoic soak. Sit perfectly still, look up at the stars (or ceiling), and think about your responsibilities. This is the time for quiet reflection. Ideally, you should be smoking a cigarette afterward on the balcony, looking cool and tired.
The Power Experience: (Please do not actually do this in public). In the anime, Power famously dislikes bathing and refuses to wash properly. While we encourage you to stay clean, you can channel her chaotic energy by splashing water at your friends or declaring loudly that you are the Great Power of the Blood Fiend. Fuji, and electric tattoos yakuza might have
By: Public Safety Travel Bureau
If you have ever watched Tatsuki Fujimoto’s masterpiece Chainsaw Man, you know two things for certain: Denji’s life is a constant cycle of visceral violence and devastating heartbreak, and the man desperately needs a hot bath.
While the manga’s iconic "Hot Spring Arc" (Chapter 52, "Bath After Revenge") is infamous for its brutal emotional whiplash—swinging from goofy camaraderie to Aki’s tragic future—it also cemented the Japanese onsen as a sacred space for Devil Hunters.
Welcome to Chainsaw Man Hot Spring Travel. This is your guide to the real-life locations, the thematic resonance, and the ultimate itinerary for fans who want to soak away their existential dread, just like Denji, Power, and Aki (almost) did.
In Japanese folklore, Jizo statues protect travelers. In Nasu, there are famous "Yu Jizo" legends involving boiling water. Given the supernatural themes of Chainsaw Man, visiting the local shrines and statues adds a layer of depth to the trip.