9 Onsen in Wakayama worth your time

One of Japan's three oldest hot spring resorts, offering ancient seaside baths and white sand beaches on the Pacific coast.

What it is

• One of the three oldest hot spring resorts in Japan with over a millennium of history.
• A collection of seven distinct hot spring districts located in Shirahama Town.
• A historic destination visited by Emperors Saimei, Jito, and Monmu in ancient times.
• Waters originating from deep groundwater squeezed from a tectonic plate reaching 85 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Saki-no-yu, an open-air hot spring bath located directly on the Pacific Ocean.
• Shirarahama, a white sand beach that gives the town its name.
• Adventure World and Shirahama Energy Land theme parks located within the town area.
• Local seafood markets featuring seasonal specialties like spiny lobster and longtooth grouper.

Getting there

• Direct flights are available from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Nanki-Shirahama Airport.
• The area is accessible by train via Shirahama Station on the Kisei Line.
• Drivers can reach the resort area via the Kisei Expressway.

Official site

www.shirahama-ryokan.jp

Read more about Nanki-Shirahama Onsen

A coastal hot spring resort in Wakayama featuring therapeutic waters and a unique shrine famous for its doll festival.

What it is

• A hot spring resort area located along the Kitan Strait and Kada Bay.
• The spring water contains hydrogen carbonate and sodium chloride for therapeutic bathing.
• Approximately six hotels and traditional inns operate within the local area.
• The colorless and transparent source water reaches a temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius.

What to see

• Awashima Shrine is located in the immediate vicinity of the hot spring area.
• Views of Tomogashima island are visible to the west of the coastline.
• Day-trip bathing facilities are available at several local inns during the daytime.

When to go

• The Doll Floating festival takes place annually on March 3rd.

Getting there

• Kada Station on the Nankai Railway is located one kilometer from the site.
• The area is situated 18 kilometers from the Wakayama Interchange.

Read more about Kada Awashima Onsen

A coastal hot spring resort in Wakayama serving as a gateway to the Kumano Kanzan World Heritage site.

What it is

• A hot spring resort area located along the rias coastline of Nachikatsuura.
• A major base for visitors exploring the Kumano Kanzan World Heritage site.
• A designated part of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park since 1950.
• A resort town featuring over one hundred separate hot spring sources.

What to see

• Natural cave baths named Bokido and Genbudo located at Hotel Urashima.
• Kii-Katsuura Port which serves as a major base for tuna fishing.
• Hotels and traditional inns concentrated along the scenic coastline.
• Accommodations that are accessible only by taking a boat from the pier.

When to go

• The annual hot spring offering ceremony held every November.

Getting there

• Take a direct limited express train from Osaka, Kyoto, or Nagoya.
• Arrive at Kii-Katsuura Station located on the Kise Line.

Official site

katsuuraonsen.jp

Read more about Nanki-Katsuura Onsen

A designated National Health Resort in Kumano featuring one of the largest outdoor hot spring baths in the region.

What it is

• A hot spring area part of the Kumano Hongu Onsen Village in Tanabe City.
• Designated as a National Health Resort in 1957 for its therapeutic water quality.
• The site features three hotels and a dedicated day-trip bathing facility.
• Natural spring water flows directly from three sources at 600 liters per minute.

What to see

• Large outdoor bathing area with six pools for men and five for women.
• Hot spring facilities situated along the banks of the Yomura River.
• Nearby campsite and public health center within the resort grounds.

When to go

• An annual offering ceremony takes place at the nearby Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine.

Getting there

• Buses from Shingu Station reach the hot springs in approximately 60 minutes.
• A 90-minute bus ride connects the area to Kii-Tanabe Station.

Read more about Wataze Onsen

A unique riverside hot spring where visitors dig their own baths and enjoy a massive communal winter pool.

What it is

• A riverside hot spring area where hot water emerges by digging into the river bank.
• Designated as a National Recreation Onsen in 1957.
• The spring water contains sodium bicarbonate and chloride.

What to see

• The Sennin-buro, a large outdoor bath created in the river during winter.
• The Oto River bank where visitors can create their own private baths.
• Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine located a ten minute drive from the area.

When to go

• December to the end of February to experience the Sennin-buro outdoor bath.
• January for the traditional wooden karuta card competition.
• October to witness the annual hot water offering ceremony.

Getting there

• Buses from Shingu Station reach the area in sixty minutes.
• Buses from Yagi Station take five and a half hours to arrive.

Read more about Kawayu onsen

A historic sulfur spring resort beside Yukashi Lagoon, offering traditional healing baths and a rest stop along the Kumano Kodo.

What it is

• A hot spring area specializing in traditional recuperation and sulfur water cures.
• Historically served as a purification site for pilgrims traveling the Kumano Kodo.
• Located in Nachikatsuura Town beside the scenic Yukashi Lagoon.
• Famous for hosting notable Japanese poets including Takahama Kyoshi and Sato Haruo.

What to see

• Natural sulfur springs with water temperatures ranging from twenty-five to sixty degrees Celsius.
• The Yukashi Lagoon, which was named by the poet Sato Haruo.
• Traditional accommodations designed for long-term health stays and healing.
• Access points to the surrounding Kumano Kodo pilgrimage forest routes.

Getting there

• A twenty-minute walk from Yukawa Station leads to the hot spring area.
• The site is a five-minute taxi ride from Kii-Katsuura Station.

Read more about Yukawa Onsen

A historic alkaline hot spring resort in Shirahama known for its skin-smoothing sulfur waters and coastal views.

What it is

• A historic hot spring area in Shirahama Town mentioned in the Kii Shoku Fudoki.
• The site features highly alkaline water with a pH between 9.6 and 10.4.
• The hot spring water contains small amounts of sulfur.
• A collection of medium-sized inns and resort condominiums overlooking the sea.

What to see

• Roadside Station Tsubaki Hana no Yu featuring a day-trip bath facility.
• A free public footbath located at the roadside station.
• A small swimming beach within a ten minute walk of the area.
• Coastal views from the resort condominiums and inns along National Route 42.

Getting there

• Tsubaki Station on the JR Kisei Line is a thirty minute walk away.
• Meiko Bus operates services from Shirahama Station to the hot spring area.

Official site

www.tubakionsen.com

Read more about Tsubaki Onsen

A historic hot spring resort ranked among Japan's top three for skin beautifying properties, set along the scenic Hidaka River.

What it is

• A sodium bicarbonate saline hot spring located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture.
• Legend says En no Gyoja discovered the spring and Kobo Daishi opened the bathhouse.
• Designated as a National Health Resort Onsen by the Environment Agency.
• One of Japan's three most famous hot springs for beautiful skin.

What to see

• The Kami-goten building, which is a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Traditional accommodations situated along the banks of the Hidaka River.
• Natural hot spring water with a source temperature of 48 degrees Celsius.
• The setting featured in the novel Daibosatsu Toge by Kaizan Nakazato.

Getting there

• Buses from Kii-Tanabe Station take about eighty minutes to reach the hot spring.

Read more about Ryūjin Onsen

A UNESCO-listed hot spring on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route featuring Japan's oldest public bath and natural boiling vents.

What it is

• A historic hot spring discovered in the 4th century located in Tanabe City.
• A designated UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the Kumano Hongu Onsen-kyo.
• A significant stop along the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
• Home to Tsuboyu, which is considered the oldest public bath in Japan.

What to see

• The Yututsu vent where visitors boil eggs and vegetables in 92.5 degree water.
• Tokoji Temple which stands prominently in the center of the town.
• The rare Yunomine-shida fern first discovered in this area in 1887.
• Small public bath houses containing sulfur, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate minerals.

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a bus from Shingu Station.

Read more about Yunomine Onsen