Japan's largest village, accessible by Japan's longest route bus! 6 ways to enjoy Totsukawa Onsen Village in Nara Prefecture

• Table of Contents
• A free-flowing hot spring on the Kumano Kodo trail. This is what's amazing about Totsukawa Onsenkyo!
• 1. The symbol of Totsukawa village: Tanize Suspension Bridge
• 2. Gather information while drinking coffee at "labo"
• 3. Relax in the open-air bath while watching the waterfall at "Takinoyu"
• 4. "Doro Gorge" - Be amazed by the majestic scenery created by nature
• 5. Toro Hotel: A base for resting and activities in Toro Gorge
• 6. Ebisu-so: Relax with vegetable dishes and hot springs
• Access Information

For more information on the hot springs in Totsukawa Onsen, please see this article.

A free-flowing hot spring on the Kumano Kodo trail. This is what's amazing about Totsukawa Onsenkyo!

All of the free-flowing hot spring, and you can enjoy three different types of hot springs.

More than 90% of the village is covered by forest, and Totsukawa Village is characterized by the scenery of the Totsukawa River, which is filled with abundant emerald green water, and the mountains. There are three different hot springs in the village: "Yusenchi Onsen," "Totsukawa Onsen," and "Kamiyu Onsen." Another great thing about Totsukawa Onsen is that all the inns, guesthouses, and public baths in the village claim to use "free-flowing hot spring." The quality of the springs is so good that the village has been certified as a national health resort hot spring .

The village is dotted with three hot springs, spots where you can experience dynamic nature, and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food, so we recommend taking the time to drive around. The hot springs and their effects are as follows:

・"Tosenji Onsen" : Simple sulfur spring. It is said to be effective for all kinds of illnesses.

・"Totsukawa Onsen" : Sodium bicarbonate chloride spring. Known for its skin-beautifying properties and its ability to keep you warm after bathing. The spring water is also drinkable.

・"Kamiyu Onsen" : Sulfur-containing sodium bicarbonate spring. It is said to have skin-beautifying effects.

The World Heritage Site, Kumano Kodo's "Kohechi" trail passes through here.

The Kumano Kodo was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." The Kohechi trail, which connects Mount Koya and Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, passes through Totsukawa Onsenkyo. It is quite difficult as you have to cross multiple passes at altitudes of over 1,000m, but the panoramic views that come with being a mountain path are amazing, and many tourists visit both the trail and the Kumano Kodo.

Totsukawa Village is a vast village dotted with attractive spots. From here, we will tell you how to get around Totsukawa Onsen Village to make the most of it.

1. The symbol of Totsukawa village: Tanize Suspension Bridge

You can go to "Totsukawa Village Office (Totsukawa Onsen)" by bus or car, but we recommend starting your tour from "Uenoji (Tanize Suspension Bridge)" a little before that, as it is an efficient way to get around the village. After walking a little from the bus stop, you will be greeted by the Tanize Suspension Bridge, which is a symbol of Totsukawa Village, across a large valley.

This suspension bridge, which connects Uenoji and Tanize, is 297 meters long and 54 meters high. When you actually cross it, you'll be amazed at its height and distance. Below, you can see the beautiful emerald green clear waters of the Totsukawa River, making it a thrilling experience!

2. Gather information while drinking coffee at "labo"

After crossing the Tanize Suspension Bridge, it's about a 5-minute walk along the gentle mountain path to the cafe " Labo ," which is a must-visit place to start your tour of Totsukawa.

This cafe is run by the Tsunoda couple, who were attracted to Totsukawa Village and moved there. You can enjoy drinks such as "Totsukawa Blend (500 yen)" and "Tanize Amazake (600 yen)," food menu items such as "Croque Monsieur (800 yen)" and "Chicken Shawarma (800 yen)," and dessert menu items such as "Cinnamon Roll (400 yen)" and "Tanize Blueberry Muffin (400 yen)." (*Vegan menu items are also available.)

The two of them listened to advice from a carpenter and did as much DIY as they could inside the store. Their record collection and audio equipment are also amazing!

To recharge my energy before sightseeing, I ordered a croque monsieur, a banana cupcake, and the Totsukawa Blend. The croque monsieur had a mouthful of melted cheese. It was so filling that one dish was enough to fill me up. The gently sweet banana cupcake and the bitter but smooth and easy to drink Totsukawa Blend were also excellent.

"I opened the cafe because I wanted to create a place where visitors to Totsukawa Village and locals can have fun interacting with each other. In my free time, I work as a tourist taxi driver and guide in both Japanese and English, so if you have any problems with your sightseeing plans, please feel free to ask me," says Tsunoda. Along with the delicious food, this was a wonderful cafe where you could encounter unique encounters and find information that you won't find in guidebooks.

3. Relax in the open-air bath while watching the waterfall at "Takinoyu"

Takinoyu is one of the popular public baths in Yusenchi Onsen, one of the three hot spring areas. Here you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor baths.

After pouring the water over yourself, head to the indoor bath. The Yusenchi hot springs, which have a faint sulfurous scent, are said to be effective against various illnesses and injuries.

The open-air bath where you can enjoy the view of the cascading waterfall is also the best! Soaking in the hot water surrounded by beautiful nature and the sound of the waterfall will help you to soothe your tiredness from your trip.

4. "Doro Gorge" - Be amazed by the majestic scenery created by nature

Dorokyo Gorge, located in Yoshino-Kumano National Park and spanning the three prefectures of Nara, Mie, and Wakayama, is also a must-see spot when you come to Totsukawa Village. This large canyon created by ancient nature is majestic, with its stark, towering cliffs and the mysterious, clear, cobalt blue river flowing through it.

In addition to photography (early mornings and moonlit nights are recommended), there are also activities such as canoeing and SUP down the river, so it's worth taking the time to enjoy them. The fresh air and the refreshing river breeze will make you feel refreshed from the inside out.

5. Toro Hotel: A base for resting and activities in Toro Gorge

If you get tired of playing in the river, head to Toro Hotel at the entrance to Toro Gorge. At this cafe, you can enjoy drinks such as homemade ginger ale, juice made with seasonal citrus fruits, and coffee, as well as hayashi rice and seasonal meals, while admiring the beautiful scenery.

You can also take a break in your room or enjoy a variety of experiences (canoeing, fishing, bicycle rentals), so be sure to check them out.

6. Ebisu-so: Relax with vegetable dishes and hot springs

A recommended place to stay is Totsukawa Onsen, which has many inns and restaurants in the village. Among them, Ryokan Ebisu- so is popular as an inn where you can enjoy delicious locally produced vegetable dishes and free-flowing hot spring.

There are two types of hot springs: an indoor bath (family bath) and an open-air bath. The indoor bath can be rented for private use, which is one of the attractions. The open-air bath also has no time limit, so you can use it whenever you like.

Another charm of Ebisu-so is the food made by the owner, Mr. Tamaki, using vegetables picked in the village. Even just one radish dish was amazing, with both the ingredients and the sauce on top being excellent, and I was constantly surprised at how delicious vegetables could be. The hot pot, made with large mushrooms, a specialty of Totsukawa village, was also exquisite. It was a wonderful inn that left me feeling warm and relaxed in both body and soul.

Access Information

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 travelling by car from Osaka

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