Accommodations / Hot Spring Spots in Kumano Kodo / Hongu Area

  • Yunomine Onsen Tsuboyu
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouyunomine 110
    A public bathhouse located in the almost exact center of the Yunomine hot spring district through which passes the Kumano Highway. This unusual hot spring is also registered as part of the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes World Heritage Site as it is used by pilgrims to ritually purify them. The bathhouse’ bath is quite simple in construction, consisting of a natural stone bathing tub and wood board walls. Only around two to three people can enter at a time; there is no separate men’s or women’s bath. The rules for usage of the bath are as follows: Bathers get a numbered ticket at the entrance to the hot spring district and, when their number comes up, may bathe in the tub for 30 minutes before they must leave and the next group of bathers is allowed to enter. The nice thing about this system is that during their time, a group has the bath all to themselves. As the waters of the tub naturally change color several times throughout the day, the bath is known as a “seven colored bath.” The legend of Oguri Hangan is also connected to the bath.
  • Yuzutsu
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    4.0
    12 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Yunomine
    This is a hot spring that flows out of the earth at the foot of Yumoto Bridge in the town of Yunomine Onsen. Discovered in the fourth century, it is known as the oldest hot spring bathing complex in Japan, and even today, the surrounding townscape retains the look and atmosphere of former times. It is located a 60-minute drive from the Kamitonda Interchange on the Kisei Expressway via National Routes 42 and 311. It is surrounded by concrete on four sides and is used as a communal cooking spot. People enjoy boiling vegetables or eggs in the 90°C hot spring water comes bubbling out of the ground. They can even buy vegetables or eggs at nearby shops.

    秘湯とも言われる湯の峰温泉の公衆浴場です。以前つぼ湯に入った時にすごく好みの湯(含硫黄...

  • Watarase Onsen Dairotenburo large open-air bath
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouwataze 45-1
    The largest open-air bath in Western Japan, situated on the grounds of a large hot spring inn. Non-guests can also enjoy a day trip of bathing in the inn’s baths. This natural hot spring bath is continuously filled from a hot spring source famed for its beautifying properties. In addition to the open-air bath, the inn’s popular reservable private open-air bath for families is also usable by non-guests. In the dining hall adjoining the open-air bath, visitors can enjoy mehari-zushi, a Kumano specialty of rice balls wrapped in mustard leaves, as well as onsen rice porridge.
  • Kawayu Hot Spring Sennin-buro River Bath
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoukawayu
    The Oto River, where spring source of more than 70°C constantly gush out from the bottom of the river. Only during December through February of every year, a part of the river is dammed up to create a large open-air bath. On a fine day, you can bathe while gazing at the clear sky or stars, creating a great sense of openness. Note that it may not be available due to weather conditions, water volume, or water temperature. Don't forget to wear a bathing suit when bathing.
  • Yunomine Onsen public bath
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouyunomine 110
    The Yunomine hot spring was discovered by the regional administrator of Kumano, Oato no Sukune, around the fourth century, and is known as Japan’s oldest onsen. The hot spring is also famous as having been used by emperors throughout history to purify themselves when they came to visit the temples of Kumano, and since ancient times the hot spring has flourished with worshipers coming to see Kumano’s temples. The public bathhouse is located in the center of the area. There is a general bath, medicinal bath, reservable private bath, and relaxation bath. The Tsuboyu, a rock bath registered as a World Heritage Site, is located nearby. This bath is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its color changing properties—depending on conditions, the bath’s waters may change colors several times in a day, leading to its nickname, the “Seven Color Bath.” Visitors can also purchase hot spring water to take home with them.
  • Kawayu Onsen Public Bathhouse
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoukawayu 1423
    This is a public bath along Prefectural Route 241 in Kawayu, Hongu Town, Tanabe City. It is a retro style bath with water pulled in from the riverbed allowing bathers to be submerged in pure alkaline water from source. It is beneficial for conditions such as nerve pain and diabetes.
  • Kawayu Onsen
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    4.5
    137 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Kawayu

    Kawayu onsen is a small onsen town in the Kumano Kodo area. The main feature is the open air hot springs that are formed by a natural pool in the river. You can soak with the hot spring bubbles and...

  • Watarase Onsen Hotel Sasayuri
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    4.5
    64 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    45-1 Hongucho, Wataze, Tanabe-shi Wakayama

    We took the latest bus from Shingu to Watarase Onsen, when we arrive, it was so dark, we had to call hotel to pick up us from the bus stop. The hotel has very big outdoor onsen, it was so nice. but...

  • J-Hoppers Kumano Yunomine Guesthouse
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    4.5
    50 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    161, Honguucho-yunomine Tanabe Wakayama

    The most unhelp and unfriendly staff I have ever met in Japan. The place itself is nice, but the staff was horrible. The guy who was receiving the guests when we arrive is very impolite. I would not...

  • Yoshinoya Ryokan
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    4.5
    46 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Yunomine 359

    day # 3 on our self guided kumano kudo hike. arrived by bus and departed by cab. again, the address is listed as tanabe, and the town is yunomine. this was a very unique area, built around a UNESCO...

  • Atarashiya <Wakayama>
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    3.5
    13 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    133, Yumine, Hongu-cho, Tanabe city, Wakayama 647-1732, Japan

    Along the Main Street in Yunomine onsen and opposite of the public onsen. The owner is very friendly and the dinner is wonderful. It’s a very old building so a good experience of old Japanese house...

  • B&B Ashitanomori
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    4.5
    11 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoukawayu 1440-2

    Large family owned hotel, spacious rooms. Right in front of Kawayu Onsen, so its the best possible location. Friendly and helpful staff. Two large hot tubs available in the hotel too. Dinner prices...

  • Wataze Onsen
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Wataze 45-1
    This hot spring district situated along the Yomura River in Wakayama Prefecture was first developed between 1965 and 1974, making it a relatively new one. The district is known for having the largest outdoor bath in Western Japan, as well as its private reservable outdoor baths for families. Situated in a naturally beautiful area with fishing and river sports, visitors can also enjoy staying in a bungalow, or camping. The waters of the area's sodium chloride hydrogen carbonate springs (chloride springs) are said to treat such ailments as rheumatism, nerve illnesses, and wounds. Drinking them is also purported to have such health benefits as alleviating chronic digestive diseases, diabetes, and gout. There are a variety of bathing facilities to be found here, including cascading shower baths and jacuzzis, and visitors can enjoy choosing as suits their interests.
  • Kobuchi
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    4.5
    11 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoukawayu 1

    Very pleasant atmosphere, and smiling host. Homemade hot chocolate! High quality, homemade local food!

  • Omura Ya 2 Gokan
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    4.5
    6 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Kawayu 1408

    Room is great with toilet and sink inside. The heating is great and even has a humidifier in the room. The dinner was so sumptuous with a hotpot, grill for tuna, and vegetables, Ayu fish, and other...

  • Kumano Furumichi Yu no Mine Onsen Terute Ya
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    3.5
    7 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Yunomine 97

    What a phenomenal minshuku and onsen village! Our stay in Yunomine was the highlight of our two week trip. The lady who owned the place was lovely; very warm and welcoming. We arrived a little late...

  • Private lodging Tateishi
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    4.5
    5 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Kawayu 1402

    The owner of this Minshuku was very helpful and straightforward. There was something wrong with the Onsen water so she kindly took our group to Watarase Onsen as there was only lukewarm water in the...

  • Minshuku Sumiya
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    5.0
    2 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    1429, Kawayu, Hongu-cho, Tanabe city, Wakayama 647-1717, Japan

    We stayed at Minshuku Sumiya one night after hiking sections of the Kumano Kodo during the New Year. We made the mistake of not ordering meals in advance, and the only restaurant in town was closed...

  • Kawayu Onsen
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Hongucho Kawayu
    A hot spring area famous for the Sennin Buro, a natural outdoor hot spring bath only open from December to February. Piping hot 70° C water wells forth endlessly from a sodium-hydrogen carbonate, chloride spring under the bed of the Oto River, a tributary of the Kumano River, mixing with the river water to reach just the right temperature. Visitors can also dig into the gravel to create their very own outdoor hot spring bath. Anyone can bathe in the waters but those not staying at a hotel or inn in the area should bring their own shovel. Swimsuits are required. A public bathhouse is also located nearby. The area’s hot spring waters can also be drunk, and doing so is said to treat such ailments as gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and gout, while bathing in them is said to also alleviate diabetes as well as nerve pain.
  • Minshuku Adumayaso
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    71 Hongucho Yunomine Tanabe

Wakayama Areas

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Wakayama prefecture unites pilgrims, food lovers, and culture buffs in a tranquil corner of Japan at the base of the Kii Peninsula. The setting for many a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, Wakayama invites those in search of spirituality from one side of the prefecture to the other, from the 100-plus Buddhist temples of the sacred Mount Koya in the west to the inspiring temples of the Kumano Sanzan set among breathtaking nature in the east. Once the grueling hike is complete, make a beeline for Wakayama city to savor some of the country’s most delicious ramen noodles.

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