Things I didn't do early on: gush over capybara!

I was in Japan many years before I finally went to check out what all the fuss over capybara in a hot spring was all about. I don't know what it is, but there is something very captivating about watching capybara relax in an "onsen" hot spring or hot tub. To the point, ever since that first time, I have gone back every year to gush over the capybara in hot water. The photo in this post is from my 2026 visit!

The capybara onsen have been popular since the early 1980s. And the remain popular more than 40 years later because of their charm. You can see capybara relaxing in hot springs annually during the winter period at various zoos around Japan. There is usually no additional charge for the pleasure, you just have to pay into the zoo or safari park in question.

It is hard to describe, but it is so captivating. People come in droves just to see the sight. They attract a lot of amateur and professional photographers too. And you will see many photos on social media of the giant rodents in the bath! Have you been to see capybara in a hot spring during your time in Japan?