Which hot springs are most worth visiting, and least touristy?

I've only been to one - in Taitung. If there were tourists around, they weren't American...but the area we stayed in had a lot of hotels, each with its own hot spring setup.

Some pictures: http://gallery.hookahheads.com/album...an2003/amo.jpg

http://gallery.hookahheads.com/album...an2003/amq.jpg

http://gallery.hookahheads.com/album...an2003/ams.jpg

Should add this was NEAR Taitung but actually in Chihpen.

Chihpen is on the other side of the island like 6 hours away by car from Taichung

Not Taichung, T'ai-tung. On the east coast across from Tainan and a little bit south.

Chihpen is about 15 minutes from there.

You're right liza Taitung is by Chihpen. However ih you're in Taipei you should visit Landis Yangmingsan
http://www.landisresort.com.tw/leisure.html

However, Taiwan is not as good when it comes to hot springs as Japan. It just happens most Taiwanese dream of going to hot springs in Japan, especially Hokkaido. UNBELIEVABLE! And nothing in Taiwan can match it

It's funny you mention that because I was struck by how Japaense in feel the hot springs at our hotel in Chihpen were.

You can see the that in photos above...we were also given kimonos to use, the bar/snack area served Japanese teas and cakes, the decor was very Japanese.

I wonder if all the hotel-based springs in Chihpen have that feel or just the one we stayed at?