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 Onsen Village where you can enjoy 3 types of hot springs
• [One-day hot spring] Enjoy an open-air bath while looking at the waterfall! "Taki no Yu"
• [One-day hot spring] “Iori-no-Yu” where you can enjoy the spectacular view typical of Totsukawa village along with drinking hot springs and footbath
• [Accommodation] Stay at “Ebisu-so” where there is a hot spring sommelier.
• Points to further enjoy Totsukawa Onsen Village
• Access information

The entire village is free-flowing hot spring! Totsukawa Onsen Village where you can enjoy 3 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 both domestically and internationally is that all the facilities in the village are free-flowing hot spring. This refers to the state in which hot spring water is used as is, without diluting, circulating, or boiling it. This luxurious hot spring experience is only possible thanks to Totsukawa Village's abundant amount of hot water. In 2004, it became the first free-flowing hot spring'' and has been registered as a national hot spring resort as a healing hot spring area due to the excellent quality of the spring water and the good surrounding environment.

Three attractive spring qualities

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

The one with the most history is Tosenji Onsen, located along the valley. This type of hot spring is called a simple sulfur spring, and is said to be effective against general illnesses and injuries.

Totsukawa Onsen is located on the shores of Futatsuno Dam Lake, where most of the inns and shops are located. It is classified as a sodium bicarbonate/chloride spring, and is characterized by its beautifying effect on the skin and its ability to keep you from getting cold. You can drink the hot springs at Totsukawa Onsen, and there are some inns in the village where you can enjoy dishes made with hot spring water.

Kamiyu Onsen is characterized by a hot spring that, in the words of a local, is ``like soaking in beauty serum.'' It is classified as a sulfur-containing sodium hydrogen carbonate spring and is said to have strong skin beautifying effects.

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 charms.

[One-day hot spring] Enjoy an open-air bath while looking at the waterfall! "Taki no Yu"

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

Another characteristic of Takinoyu is that the hallway 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 a side note, more than 90% of Totsukawa Village is forest, and it is also a land where forestry is flourishing. In the past, timber was floated on the river that ran through the village. That's very interesting.

Taki-no-yu, a hot spring area, is characterized by a faint sulfur scent. When you slowly soak in the hot springs after taking a hot bath, you will feel as if the effects of the hot springs are permeating your body.

After warming up thoroughly in the indoor bath, relax in the open-air bath. A gentle waterfall flows right next to the bath. When you soak in piping hot water and listen to the chirping of birds and the sound of water, you feel as if you are a part of nature, and the fatigue of the day disappears.

Check detailed information on Takinoyu

[One-day hot spring] “Iori-no-Yu” where you can enjoy the spectacular view typical of Totsukawa village along with drinking hot springs and footbath

Totsukawa Onsen An-no-Yu, located on the shore of the Futatsuno Dam lake, is also one of the popular public baths among locals and tourists. There is also a drinking fountain spot at the entrance. When you take a sip, you'll notice a slight saltiness and bitterness, but it's mellow and easy to drink, and will warm you from the inside out.

Go down the stairs, buy a ticket from the ticket vending machine, hand it to the receptionist, and head to the hot springs! The hot spring bath in the bathroom was made with a lot of wood, and the water was easy to soak in, with the scent of wood and a hint of iron. From the large windows in the bathroom, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the mountains and river. When you see this scenery, you will feel that you have come to Totsukawa Village.

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

Check the detailed information 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 the ryokan as well as the public baths. For such people, we recommend Ryokan Ebisuso, which is located about a 5-minute walk from Iori-no-Yu. This is an inn where you can enjoy exquisite locally produced vegetable dishes and hot springs free-flowing hot spring, and the owner, Mr. Tamaki, is also certified as a 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 easily take a bath at any time from check-in to check-out. If the weather is nice, you can relax in the hot springs at night while looking at the starry sky.

The charm of Ebisu-so is its hot springs and exquisite cuisine made with seasonal vegetables grown in Totsukawa Village. This inn is full of elaborate menus that will make you wonder if vegetables were really that delicious, and will soothe your mind and body after a night's stay.

Click here for the official website of Ebisuso

Points to further enjoy Totsukawa Onsen Village

It's a waste to just have a hot spring! Let's enjoy drinking hot springs and foot baths together.

There are footbaths and drinking hot springs (*Totsukawa Onsen only) spots all over Totsukawa Onsen Village. Visiting hot springs and sightseeing is great, but sometimes we recommend relaxing in a footbath. You might even have a lively conversation with the locals.

・Roadside Station Totsukawa-go : In addition to selling special products and providing tourist information, there is also a large footbath.

・Hiratani Community Center Ikora : A community center with a foot bath, hand bath, and drinking hot springs. Locally grown vegetables, specialty products, and a cafe are held every day.

Be careful of bathing etiquette and sudden changes in temperature!

When entering a hot spring, be careful of bathing manners such as pouring hot water before bathing, not putting towels or hair in the bathtub, and wiping off moisture with a towel before returning to the changing room so that everyone can enjoy a comfortable bathing experience. .

Also, in winter, the difference in temperature between the outside air and the hot springs can cause heat shock, such as feeling lightheaded or feeling unwell. Avoid pouring hot water before bathing or bathing after drinking alcohol as much as possible.

Access information

Totsukawa Onsen can only be accessed by car or bus. (You can also get around the village by taxi)

When traveling from Tokyo by Shinkansen, train, or bus

Totsukawa Village can only be accessed by bus or car. From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto Station, then take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamato-Yagi Station. From Yamato-Yagi Station, take Limited Express 301 bound for Shingu (bus) and get off at Totsukawa Village Hall. The bus ride takes about 5 hours, with two breaks along the way. (The total time it takes is about 7 hours) There are only three buses a day, so be sure to check the schedule before using.

If going by car from Osaka

From Matsubara JCT on the Hanwa Expressway, transfer to Minami Hanna Road at Mihara JCT. From there, head to Katsuragi IC and take the Keinawa 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 may freeze in the winter, so be sure to take breaks and drive with care.

Check access information to Totsukawa Village