Kumano Hongu Onsen Village

Kawayu Onsen, where the spring gushes out from the bottom of the river

As the name suggests, Kawayu (river hot water) Onsen derives from the hot spring water that flows out from the river. If you dig the dry riverbed of Oto River, the tributary of Kumano River that flows in front of Kawayu Onsen, a headspring of over 70 degrees Celsius will gush out. You can make your own rustic open-air bath by digging the ground to make a bathtub. If the water is too hot, simply draw some water from the river. In the summer, you can warm your chilled body after playing in the river, and in the winter, enjoy bathing in the Sennin-buro River Bath, a large open-air bath only available during the winter.

Yunomine Onsen, site of the World Heritage spring source

Yunomine Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan, which was discovered about 1,800 years ago. The historic hot spring has long served as the place where visitors cleansed themselves and healed their travel fatigue before their pilgrimage to Kumano. In the quiet town with quaint inns and guesthouses, there is Tsuboyu, a World Heritage hot spring. Here, visitors can take a bath in 30-minute rotations with about three people at a time. It is one of the rarest UNESCO World Heritage site hot springs that you can actually bathe in, and it is said that the color of the hot water changes seven times a day.

Enjoy the hot spring and outdoor activities at Wataze Onsen

Wataze Onsen lies between Kawayu and Yunomine along the Yomura River at the foot of Kumano's mountains. There are bungalows and campgrounds in the area where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and playing in the river. The hot spring is also famous for its beautification properties that make the skin smooth. There are various baths, including one of Western Japan's largest open-air baths with water coming directly from the hot spring available for day trips as well as relaxing private open-air baths for family use. Another popular facility is a kurhaus with various bathtubs and training rooms for promoting health.Wataze Onsen lies between Kawayu and Yunomine along the Yomura River at the foot of Kumano's mountains. There are bungalows and campgrounds in the area where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and playing in the river. The hot spring is also famous for its beautification properties that make the skin smooth. There are various baths, including one of Western Japan's largest open-air baths with water coming directly from the hot spring available for day trips as well as relaxing private open-air baths for family use. Another popular facility is a kurhaus with various bathtubs and training rooms for promoting health.

Delicious foods to enjoy together with the hot spring

In the center of Yunomine Onsen, there is a sectioned-off hot spring basin out in the middle of the riverside. Called Yuzutsu (hot well), you can boil and eat your own eggs and vegetables in a hot spring of about 90 degrees Celsius. Also, inns in the area offer shabu-shabu and rice porridges made using the flowing hot spring. You should try Kumano's local cuisine, Meharizushi, a rice ball wrapped in lightly pickled takana leaf. It is said that the name, meaning "wide-eyed sushi," comes from eating it with a surprisingly wide-open mouth, or that it is so delicious that your eyes will open wide.