Discover Nara's Totsukawa Onsen: Experience Pure Hot Springs Amidst Nature's Majesty

• Table of Contents
• The entire village is free-flowing hot spring! Totsukawa Onsenkyo offers three types of hot springs
• [Day trip hot spring] Enjoy the open-air bath while watching the waterfall! "Takinoyu"
• [Day trip hot spring] "Iori no Yu" where you can enjoy the spectacular view typical of Totsukawa village along with drinking spring water and foot baths
• [Accommodation] Stay at Ebisu-so, where there is a hot spring sommelier
• Tips for enjoying Totsukawa Onsen even more
• Access Information

Please also read this article for more information on the gourmet food and tourist spots of Totsukawa Onsenkyo.

The entire village is free-flowing hot spring! Totsukawa Onsenkyo offers three types of hot springs

In 2004, we were the first in the country to declare that free-flowing hot spring.

The main reason why Totsukawa Village's hot springs attract hot spring fans from Japan and abroad is that all the facilities in the village use "free-flowing hot spring" water. This refers to the state in which the hot spring water is used as it is, without diluting, free-flowing hot spring, or boiling it. This luxurious hot spring experience is only possible with Totsukawa Village's abundant hot spring water. In 2004, Totsukawa Village was the first in Japan to declare that it uses direct from the source, and due to the excellent quality of its spring water and the surrounding environment, it has been registered as a national hot spring resort as a healing hot spring resort.

Three attractive spring qualities

One of the attractions of Totsukawa Village is that you can enjoy different types of hot springs depending on the area. Let's take a look at the characteristics of each type of hot spring.

The oldest is Tosenji Onsen, located along the valley. It is a type of hot spring called a simple sulfur spring, which is said to be effective for general illnesses and injuries.

Totsukawa Onsen is located on the shores of the Futatsuno Dam Lake, where the most private lodgings and shops are located. It is classified as a sodium bicarbonate chloride spring, and is known for its skin-beautifying properties and for keeping you warm long after bathing. You can drink the spring water from Totsukawa Onsen, and there are also inns in the village where you can enjoy cuisine made with the hot spring water.

The special feature of Kamiyu Onsen is that, in the words of the locals, it feels like you're soaking in beauty essence. It is classified as a sodium sulfur-containing bicarbonate spring, and is said to have a strong skin-beautifying effect.

Totsukawa Village has about 20 hot spring facilities, including public baths and inns. Below, we will introduce some of the most recommended spots along with their attractions.

[Day trip hot spring] Enjoy the open-air bath while watching the waterfall! "Takinoyu"

Takinoyu is a public bath located in the center of Totsukawa Village. It is famous as a spot where you can enjoy the hot springs while watching the cascading waterfall. There are two hot springs, an indoor bath and an open-air bath, and you can go down the stairs from the indoor bath to the open-air bath.

Another feature of Takinoyu is that the corridor leading to the indoor bath, the walls of the indoor bath, and the passageway leading to the open-air bath are all made of warm wood. As an aside, more than 90% of Totsukawa village is covered in forest, and it is also a land of thriving forestry. Apparently, in the past, lumber was transported by floating it on the river that runs through the village. That's very interesting.

Takinoyu, a hot spring located in a hot spring area, is characterized by a faint sulfurous scent. If you pour yourself over yourself and then slowly enter the hot spring, you will feel as if the effects of the hot spring are permeating your body.

After thoroughly warming up in the indoor bath, relax in the open-air bath. Right next to the bath is a gentle waterfall. Soaking in the hot water and listening to the birds singing and the sound of the water makes you feel as if you are part of nature, and the fatigue of everyday life melts away.

Check the details of Takinoyu

[Day trip hot spring] "Iori no Yu" where you can enjoy the spectacular view typical of Totsukawa village along with drinking spring water and foot baths

"Totsukawa Onsen Iori no Yu," located on the shore of the Futatsuno Dam Lake, is a popular public bath among locals and tourists. There is also a drinking spring spot at the entrance. When you take a sip, you will notice that the water is slightly salty and bitter, but it is mellow and easy to drink, and will warm you from the inside out.

Go down the stairs, buy a ticket from the ticket machine, hand it over to the receptionist, and head to the hot spring! The hot spring in the bathroom, which is made with plenty of wood, has a pleasant scent of wood and a faint scent of iron. And from the large bathroom window, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains and rivers. Seeing this view makes you feel like you've come to Totsukawa Village.

There is also a foot bath at Iori no Yu, so be sure to enjoy it before or after your bath.

Check the details of Iori no Yu

[Accommodation] Stay at Ebisu-so, where there is a hot spring sommelier

If you come to Totsukawa Village, you'll want to enjoy the hot springs at an inn in addition to the public baths. For those people, we recommend Ebisu-so Inn, located about a 5-minute walk from Iori-no-Yu. This inn offers delicious locally produced vegetable dishes and free-flowing hot spring from the source, and the owner, Mr. Tamaki, is also a certified hot spring sommelier.

There are two types of hot springs, an open-air bath and an indoor bath (family bath), and the appeal is that you can use them any time from check-in to check-out. If the weather is good, you can relax in the hot springs at night while gazing at the starry sky.

The charm of Ebisu-so is its hot springs and the exquisite cuisine made with seasonal vegetables from Totsukawa Village. The elaborate menu will make you think, "I never knew vegetables could be so delicious!" and after a night's stay, you will feel soothed in both body and mind.

Ebisu-so's official website is here

Tips for enjoying Totsukawa Onsen even more

It would be a waste to just enjoy the hot springs! Enjoy the drinking spring water and foot baths as well.

There are foot baths and drinking spring water spots (only at Totsukawa Onsen) all over the Totsukawa Onsen area. While visiting hot springs and sightseeing is fun, we also recommend relaxing in a foot bath from time to time. You might even get to have some fun conversations with the locals!

・Totsukawago Roadside Station : In addition to selling local specialties and providing tourist information, it also has a large foot bath.

・Hiraya Community Center Ikora : A community center with foot baths, hand baths, and drinking spring water. Local vegetables and specialty products are sold on a daily basis, and a cafe is also open.

Be sure to pay attention to bathing etiquette and sudden changes in temperature!

When bathing in a hot spring, be sure to follow proper bathing etiquette so that everyone can enjoy their bath. For example, pour water over yourself before getting in, do not get towels or hair in the bathtub, and wipe yourself off with a towel before returning to the changing room.

In addition, in winter, the difference in temperature between the outside air and the hot springs can cause heat shock, making you feel dizzy or unwell. It is recommended that you pour hot water over yourself before bathing, and avoid bathing after drinking alcohol.

Access Information

Totsukawa Onsen can only be accessed by car or bus (it is also possible to get around the village by taxi).

From Tokyo by Shinkansen, train, and bus

Totsukawa Village can only be accessed by bus or car. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, then take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamato-Yagi Station. From Yamato-Yagi Station, take the Express 301 bus bound for Shingu and get off at Totsukawa Village Hall. The bus ride takes about five hours, with two breaks along the way. (The total journey takes about seven hours.) There are only three buses a day, so be sure to check the timetable before using.

If you are coming from Osaka by car

From Matsubara JCT on the Hanwa Expressway, change to the Minami-Hanna Road at Mihara JCT. From there, head to Katsuragi IC, then take the Keihanawa Expressway to Gojo IC. Head to Totsukawa Onsen via National Route 310 and National Route 168. National Route 168 is a mountain road with many curves, and the road can freeze over in winter, so be sure to take breaks and drive carefully.

Check access information for Totsukawa Village