Hot Springs (onsen) in Ghost of Yōtei offer permanent, reliable power growth. Each spring you bathe in increases Atsu’s maximum Health, making duels, camps, and ambushes more forgiving from the very start of the game. They are straightforward to spot, quick to complete, and required for a key trophy, so they’re worth prioritizing as you explore Ezo.

Hot Springs effect and total count

Every unique Hot Spring visited permanently raises your maximum Health. There are multiple regions across Ezo, and Hot Springs are distributed among them. All springs can be collected at any time during free-roam, including after the main story.

Feature Details
Reward Permanent increase to maximum Health
Total Hot Springs 16 across Ezo
Trophy tie‑in Counts toward “Body, Mind, and Spirit” (complete all Hot Springs, Bamboo Strikes, and Shrine Climbs)
Missable? No — available in free‑roam after the story
Difficulty Unrelated — bonuses apply on any difficulty

Tip: Health gains stack quickly in the opening hours. Grabbing a handful of springs early noticeably widens your margin for error in standoffs and multi‑enemy skirmishes.

How to find Hot Springs fast

Springs are designed to be discoverable without heavy UI reliance. Use these complementary methods to reveal and route to them efficiently:

  • Watch for steam plumes. Hot Springs vent a visible column of steam that can be spotted from long distances, even when riding. If you see steam on the horizon, it’s almost always worth detouring.
  • Use spyglass from high lookouts. Climb vantage points and scan with your spyglass to mark nearby points of interest, including Hot Springs. An excellent early stop is the Crow’s Nest Watchtower in the Yotei Grasslands near the Nupur River; using the spyglass here reveals springs and other activities across a wide radius.
  • Leverage shrine viewpoints. Many shrine climbs double as strategic lookouts. After reaching a shrine, take a moment to pan the landscape with the spyglass — steam columns often stand out from elevated positions.
  • Follow local fauna. Wildlife can lead you to activities across Ezo. When a golden bird beckons, trail it; the destination can be a spring, shrine, bamboo strike, or similar discovery.

These methods complement each other. A watchtower scan highlights a broad area, shrine peaks refine your search, and steam plumes confirm the exact direction as you approach.

Body, Mind, and Spirit trophy (what counts and how to plan)

Hot Springs are one of three activity sets needed for the “Body, Mind, and Spirit” trophy. You must complete all entries in each of these categories:

Activity Requirement Outcome
Hot Springs All 16 Permanent maximum Health increases
Bamboo Strikes All required strikes Increases maximum Spirit
Shrine Climbs All required shrines Major Charm rewards

Planning tips for the trophy:

  • Region-by-region sweeps. When you enter a new region, make a quick reconnaissance pass: climb a shrine, visit a tower, scan with the spyglass, and pin visible springs and strikes.
  • Use free‑roam for cleanup. Nothing here is missable; if you prefer, finish the story first and clear remaining icons at your own pace afterward.

Discovery patterns to watch for

Hot Springs often sit near natural features and routes you’ll traverse anyway. Keep these simple cues in mind while riding:

  • Waterways and low valleys. Springs frequently nestle beside rivers or in shallow basins where steam is easier to spot against the terrain.
  • Travel sightlines. Crest hills and ridge paths whenever possible; a short climb frequently reveals a distant plume you would have missed at ground level.
  • Route memory. If you spot a steam column but can’t reach it directly, mark a nearby landmark, finish your current encounter, then return — it’s easy to lose track after a detour.

These aren’t hard rules, but they match how springs are placed to catch your eye organically as you move through Ezo.

Why springs are worth prioritizing

Hot Springs deliver immediate, compounding value. Each soak widens your health bar, making lethal chip damage and attrition less punishing. That extra buffer is especially helpful while you’re still learning weapon alignment, timing perfect parries, and tackling early camps. Because discoveries persist into free‑roam, the time spent finding springs never goes to waste and pays off across the entire playthrough.

Build a habit early: scan from a lookout, ride toward steam, and grab any springs that fall along your path. You’ll feel the benefit in every fight, and you’ll be well on your way toward Body, Mind, and Spirit as you push deeper into Ezo.