8 recommended hot springs in Wakayama!

• Table of Contents
• Japanese hot spring culture
• Bathing etiquette is important
• Enjoy different hot springs in Wakayama
• [Beauty/beautiful skin hot springs]
• 1. Ryujin Onsen Motoyu [Ryujin Onsen]
• 2. Shimizu Onsen: A hot spring of historical romance [Shimizu Onsen]
• [Open-air bath]
• 3. Kanaya Myoekyo Hot Springs
• 4. Kyukamura Kishu Kada[Kada Awashima Onsen Kada Tenku no Yu]
• [Private rental available]
• 5. Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima, an inn on the blue island [Nanki Katsuura Onsen]
• 6. Saki-no-yu [Shirahama Onsen]
• 7. Sennin-buro (Sennin bath) [Kawayu Onsen]
• 【world heritage】
• 8. Tsuboyu, Public Bath [Yunomine Onsen]

Japanese hot spring culture

When you think of winter in Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is undoubtedly hot springs.

Hot spring culture has been deeply rooted in the lives of Japanese people since ancient times. It is not just for purifying the body, but also for the purpose of promoting health by speeding up recovery from illness and injury. Furthermore, since people bathe together with others, hot springs have played an important role as a place for people to interact with each other.

Bathing etiquette is important

As hot springs are a relaxing space used by many Japanese people, there are some manners that must be observed when bathing in them. We will introduce them below.

Manners in the Changing Room

1. Keep the use of mobile phones to a minimum
Even if you have no intention of taking voyeuristic photos, such as chatting with friends or searching for information, other users may feel uneasy. If you are not in a hurry, why not take a break from your IT devices and relax in the hot springs?

2. Put your luggage in the shelf
To ensure that other people can use the space, please store valuables and other belongings on the shelves and make sure to lock them.

Bathroom Manners

1. Cleanse your body before entering the bathtub
If you get into the bathtub with a dirty body, the water will become cloudy. To maintain a clean bathing environment, first wash your body thoroughly in the shower. This step also allows your body to get used to the temperature of the hot spring water.

2. Don't soak your towel or hair in the bathtub
Even towels that look clean at first glance have invisible dust on them. Therefore, avoid bathing with a towel wrapped around you or putting the towel in the bathtub. When bathing, we recommend placing the towel on your head or on a nearby shelf. Long hair can also get dirty, so be sure to tie it up so it doesn't get in the bathtub.

3. Take a quiet bath
The time spent in a hot spring is an important time for people to relax both physically and mentally. It is not necessary to maintain complete silence, but you should try to maintain a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

4. Wipe yourself off before going to the changing room
If you leave the bathroom while still wet, the floor of the changing room will also become wet, and someone may slip and get injured. To avoid this risk, it is recommended that you dry yourself with a towel before going to the changing room.

others

Many hot spring facilities in Japan do not allow people with tattoos to bathe.
Be sure to check the policies of each facility beforehand to avoid ruining your visit.

Enjoy different hot springs in Wakayama

Above we introduced the manners that should be observed when bathing in hot springs in Japan. It may seem complicated at first glance, but there is absolutely no harm in experiencing it as part of traditional Japanese culture.

Wakayama Prefecture in particular is home to numerous famous hot springs that take advantage of its rich nature and topography, each boasting its own unique charm.

Not only are there springs with different effects such as chloride springs and bicarbonate springs,

[Beauty/Beautiful Skin Hot Springs] Make your skin smooth
[Open-air bath] Be enchanted by the natural scenery
[Private bath] No need to worry about others

We will introduce you to hot spring facilities tailored to your needs, such as:

Why not enjoy a tour of hot springs with a wide variety of spring qualities in Wakayama Prefecture, which boasts the largest number of hot springs in the Kansai region, with over 500 sources? (Explanations of the effects of the spring qualities are basically prepared by the official facilities.)

[Beauty/beautiful skin hot springs]

1. Ryujin Onsen Motoyu [Ryujin Onsen]

It is said that Ryujin Onsen was founded by Kobo Daishi Kukai on the Hidaka River in Tanabe City long ago after receiving a prophecy in a dream from Nanda Dragon King. Ryujin Onsen, which has a history of 1,300 years, is famous as one of Japan's three most beautiful hot springs , along with Kawanaka Onsen (Gunma Prefecture) and Yunokawa Onsen (Shimane Prefecture).

The water is a bicarbonate spring known as a " beautiful skin bath " that gently removes dead skin cells and leaves skin smooth, making it especially recommended for those who are concerned about their beauty.

Among all the hot spring facilities in Ryujin Onsen town, "Ryujin Onsen Motoyu" is the source of Ryujin Onsen, and is the place where you can experience " Kakenagashi (the source of the spring water that does not lose its ingredients as it flows)." In addition to the indoor bath, there is also an open-air rock bath , where you can enjoy the natural scenery of the mountains.

The Ryujin Onsen Motoyu Annex, an accommodation facility, is a 5-minute walk from the hot spring. Although meals are not provided, there is a kitchen where you can cook freely. This is a place where you can feel the old-fashioned simplicity, and guests can enter Ryujin Onsen Motoyu as much as they like, so it is recommended for hot spring lovers.

Spring quality: Sodium bicarbonate spring
Efficacy: Beautiful skin, chronic fatigue, neuralgia, muscle pain, chronic digestive diseases, poor circulation

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Information and prices: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for elementary school students, free for infants
・Business hours: 7:00~21:00 (last entry 20:40)
・Opening days: Open all year round (reduced hours and temporary closures in winter only)
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[Ryujin Onsen Motoyu] Website:

2. Shimizu Onsen: A hot spring of historical romance [Shimizu Onsen]

At Shimizu Onsen, a hot spring with a romantic history that opened in July 2024, you can enjoy the lush scenery around the Arida River while soaking in a cypress bathtub. You can relax and enjoy the natural hot springs in a healing space surrounded by sunlight filtering through the trees.

The spring quality of Shimizu Onsen is a bicarbonate cold mineral spring known as the "beauty water" that makes your skin smooth. There is also a mist sauna and cold bath with hot spring water, so please try them out.

You can stay overnight at "Asagiri" next to the hot spring facility. In addition, you can buy food, drinks, and souvenirs, and there is also a workshop nearby where you can experience making Japanese paper and lanterns.

Spring quality: Sodium bicarbonate spring
Benefits: Beautiful skin, neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, stiff joints, bruises, chronic digestive diseases, poor circulation, recovery from illness, fatigue, health promotion, cuts, burns, chronic skin diseases, frail constitution, chronic gynecological diseases, menstrual disorders

-------------------Information: Price: 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for children (elementary school age and younger) Opening hours: 11:00 - 21:00
・Closed every Thursday

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Click here for Shimizu Onsen/Accommodation Information

[Open-air bath]

3. Kanaya Myoekyo Hot Springs

Kanaya Myoekyo Onsen, a day-trip hot spring, is located on a hill overlooking the Myoekyo Gorge, a valley of the Arida River surrounded by deep mountains. It is a very charming hot spring consisting of a dome-shaped exchange building made with abundant Kishu forest and a Japanese-style hot spring building. Both the men's and women's baths have the Hirokawa open-air baths.

The spring quality is alkaline simple sulfur cold mineral spring. In the open-air bath, you can enjoy the hot water while watching the beautiful mountain scenery during the day and the stars twinkling across the sky at night.

At the Suzuaki restaurant, you can also enjoy a menu that uses plenty of local ingredients .

Spring quality: alkaline simple sulfur cold mineral spring

-------------------Information・Price: 700 yen for adults, 400 yen for children (elementary school age and younger)・Opening hours: 11:00-21:00
・Regular holidays: 2nd Friday of every month------------------------

For information on Kanaya Myoekyo Onsen, click here

4. Kyukamura Kishu Kada[Kada Awashima Onsen Kada Tenku no Yu]

Kada Awashima Onsen Kishu Kada Tenku no Yu is a hot spring located in Kada, Wakayama City, facing the Kitan Strait and Kada. It is a hot spring facility with an open-air bath, where you can enjoy bathing while watching the beautiful scenery of the sea and the sunset.

The spring quality is sodium bicarbonate chloride hot spring, and the slightly slimy water is said to be good for the skin . At Kyukamura Kishu Kada, you can enjoy six types of baths, including the open-air " infinity bath " where the surface of the water becomes one with the sea when you soak in the bath. While soaking in the hot spring, you can enjoy a variety of spectacular views, such as the daytime sky and sea, the sunset, and the starry sky at night.

They also offer dishes using seafood such as sea bream, conger eel, spiny lobster, and grouper throughout the year, so be sure to check it out.

Day-use bathing is available from 12:00 to 15:50 (last admission at 15:00).
Guests can spend the whole day relaxing and take part in various experiences such as making Japanese sweets and soy sauce (the experiences vary depending on the day), so it is also recommended for those who like cultural experiences . (There is also a regular shuttle bus.)

Spring quality: Sodium bicarbonate and chloride hot spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, joint pain, chronic digestive diseases, poor circulation, etc.

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Information (day trip bathing)
・Admission fee: 1,300 yen for adults, 600 yen for children (elementary school age and younger) (※From June 1, 2025, 1,500 yen for adults, 700 yen for children (elementary school age and younger))
*Face towel included

・Opening hours: 12:00-15:50 (tickets close at 15:00)
・No fixed holidays
・Other: Those with tattoos will not be allowed to bathe.
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[Kyukamura Kishu Kada] Website here (Reservation)

[Private rental available]

5. Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima, an inn on the blue island [Nanki Katsuura Onsen]

Located in Nachikatsuura Town, Ichijima Ichiryokan can only be reached by special boat .

The hot springs are mainly sulfur-containing sodium chloride hot springs, which are known to beautify the skin, and there are six hot springs, with the open-air baths being fed directly from the source. The open-air bath "Kishu Chomon-no-Yu" is particularly recommended, as you can enjoy the view of the ocean right before your eyes while listening to the sound of the waves.

Additionally, Kishu Chomon-no-Yu provides bathing suits so that women can enjoy their stay with peace of mind.

In addition, there is also a private open-air bath available by reservation, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy the hot springs in private.
What's more, there is even a foot bath with natural hot spring water on the 500-meter mountaintop promenade.

Although the hot springs are not available for day trips at Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima, you can still enjoy a relaxing hotel stay while savouring the dining dishes made with carefully selected ingredients.

From the nearest station, Kii-Katsuura Station, you can easily get to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, Nachi Falls, and Seiganto-ji Temple in just 20 minutes by car.

Spring quality: Sulfur-containing, sodium-chloride hot spring
Efficacy: neuralgia, lower back pain, poor circulation, mild asthma, frozen shoulder, bruises, motor paralysis, decreased gastrointestinal function, mild hypertension, diabetes, atopic dermatitis, recovery from illness, exhaustion, health promotion

[Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima] Website is here

6. Saki-no-yu [Shirahama Onsen]

Shirahama Onsen is a famous hot spring that represents Wakayama Prefecture. Every year, a steady stream of visitors comes to visit, and while there are many hotels in the surrounding area, this historic area also has many traditional public baths remaining.

Saki-no-Yu is an open-air bath that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is characterized by its close proximity to the ocean. It is as if the bath and the ocean are one, and you can relax in the hot spring while listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks.

Please note that because the bath water flows out into the ocean, in order to protect the ocean, washing your hair or body with shampoo or soap is not permitted.
Please note that the facility may close due to weather conditions.

Spring quality: Sodium chloride spring
Effective for: neuralgia, joint pain, chronic skin diseases, gynecological disorders, etc.

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Information and price: 500 yen
・Business hours:
July to August: 7:00 to 19:00
October to March: 8:00 to 17:00
April to June, September: 8:00 to 18:00
・No fixed holidays
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7. Sennin-buro (Sennin bath) [Kawayu Onsen]

As the name suggests, the hot springs of Kawayu Onsen spring up constantly from the riverbed. The hot spring water is extremely hot at 73°C, but water from the Ooto River, a tributary of the Kumano River, is drawn in to keep the water at a comfortable temperature of around 40°C.

In the summer, you can soothe your cold body by playing in the river, and in the winter you can enjoy the large open-air bath known as the "Senninburo," a seasonal specialty.
During the Senninburo festival, lanterns are lined up along the river on Saturday nights, and you can enjoy the fantastical "Steam Lanterns."

The Senninburo bath, beloved by locals as a seasonal winter feature, is open from December to the end of February. Come and spend a heartwarming time at Kawayu Onsen, which shows different faces throughout the year with each season.

The Senninburo bath is open to everyone and is not separated by gender, so be sure to remember to wear a swimsuit when bathing (changing rooms are available).

Additionally, because this is a place that blends in with nature, the use of shampoo or soap and eating are prohibited. Let's enjoy the hot springs while protecting the blessings of nature.

Spring quality: Sodium bicarbonate and chloride hot spring
Efficacy: Neuralgia, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, gout

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Information and fees: Free
・Date: December 1st to February 28th・Opening hours: 6:30 to 22:00
・Other: Bathing may not be possible depending on the weather.
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【Kawayu Onsen】For more information, please click here

【world heritage】

8. Tsuboyu, Public Bath [Yunomine Onsen]

It has been 1800 years since it first opened. Yunomine Onsen still retains the atmosphere of a traditional hot spring, and even today it soothes the fatigue of people on their pilgrimage to Kumano .

It is said that the color of the water changes seven times a day. The spring is a sulfur spring, and is said to be effective for skin diseases, diabetes, and gastrointestinal function.

Tsuboyu, located almost in the center of Yunomine Onsen, is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the Kumano Kodo trail. And what's more, it's a World Heritage Site where you can take a bath.
Because there are only a few people allowed in at one time, there is a 30-minute shift system.

There are restaurants nearby, so it is recommended as a resting place for those visiting the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi. You can also purchase eggs and make boiled eggs in the "Yutsubo". Please come and visit us.

Spring quality: Sulfur-Na-bicarbonate spring
Efficacy: Rheumatic diseases, neuralgia, skin diseases, diabetes, etc.

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Information and fees: Adults 400 yen, Children (elementary school age and younger) 200 yen
・Business hours: 6:00-21:00
・Closing days: Irregular
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[Tsuboyu] For more information, click here