No sensation matches the delight of immersing oneself in Japan’s warm, mineral-rich onsen waters during a vacation. Over the decades, both residents and travelers have flocked to these historic hot springs to revitalize their spirit, mind, and body.
One standout destination for engaging in Japan’s renowned holistic healing is Wakayama Prefecture, located south of Osaka, offering a paradise for nature lovers. It’s an ideal setting, with untouched natural landscapes, to indulge in one of Japan’s most cherished activities.
Here’s a guide to maximizing the onsen adventure in Wakayama Prefecture.
Grasping the allure of onsens
Due to Japan’s substantial volcanic activities, thousands of natural hot springs can be found throughout the country, in a multitude of scenic settings. Throughout the centuries, individuals have been drawn to onsen towns, benefiting from bathing in the warm, calming waters imbued with natural minerals.
Onsens exist in numerous forms, from simple natural pools (exercise caution with water temperatures as it can be boiling hot) to elegant indoor bathhouses within hotels, health retreats, and traditional Japanese ryokan inns. The outdoor rotenburo baths lend an exhilaratingly authentic experience, frequently featuring breathtaking vistas.
In Japan, hot springs are revered not only for their remedial properties but also for fostering social connections. Enjoying an onsen offers a delightful opportunity to delve into Japanese traditions, but it’s important to note that most onsens require guests to bathe nude, so it’s best to leave your reservations behind.
Why does Wakayama host numerous onsens?
Owing to the abundant range of bathing experiences and various sites where naturally heated mineral waters surface, Wakayama is heralded as one of Japan’s premier onsen locales. With a lengthy history of bathing in hot springs, the reputable Yunomine Onsen was established nearly 1800 years ago, meriting its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
With a wealth of hot spring retreats and wellness resorts, visitors can explore experiences like a two-person bath on an island or a vast river bath accommodating up to 1000 guests. Travelers also have the chance to partake in a volcanically heated foot bath while dining!
Wakayama’s premier onsens
Scattered throughout Wakayama’s landscape are historic springs. Wakayama
Prefecture maintains a dedicated website featuring a useful guide to local onsen locations.
Shirahama: Renowned for spectacular beaches, Shirahama also features some of Japan’s most ancient and distinguished onsens, including the outdoor Shirasuna Onsen situated on the boardwalk downtown, and Sakino-yu, nestled on a rocky ledge with sea views, around 1km south of the main beachfront.
To blend relaxation with local gastronomy, Ashiyu Alley in Shirahama’s chic Ginza Alley dining district offers geothermal foot baths, allowing patrons to soak their feet while savoring delectable local dishes. Visit the city’s website for further insights on Shirahama’s onsens.
Kawa-Yu: For a natural experience, travel to Kawa-yu, nestled at the heart of Wakayama,<brcapture a glimpse of nearby Katsuura, a coastal village renowned for its rotenburo that offer breathtaking views of azure coves and islands. Generally linked to smaller hotels and traditional ryokan inns, the most remarkable ones are positioned right on the shoreline.
Yunomine Onsen: Local folklore suggests that the world heritage onsen at Yunomine came to be by the hands of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing, and healed a notable samurai. While this may not be completely certain, it undeniably possesses refreshing properties for both the mind and body.
Set centrally within the Yunomine hot springs, Tsubo-yu onsen is nestled in a simple wooden cabin right on a river island. It offers private use (accommodating two people) for 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served system, and paying the entrance fee also permits access to the Yunomine Public Bathhouse, which you may explore after. Discover the warm natural springs where guests prepare eggs and other treats.
Additional retreats: Highlights within the Wakayama area encompass Ryūjin Onsen, a time-honored hot spring hamlet upon the upper Hidaka River in the rugged Kii Peninsula, and Watarase, a vast retreat set in a lush valley, featuring sodium-rich pools at assorted temperatures.
Guidelines for onsen customs to newcomers
Experiencing an onsen is truly unforgettable, and although there are a few social norms to remember, this should not be off-putting. Like any fresh direction in travel, taking a moment to understand local traditions is worthwhile, so you’ll feel more at ease and enjoy a more soothing atmosphere.
Nudity is required—this is the norm across Japan, even in shared onsens—though many bathhouses have separate pools for men and women, or distinct times for each. Prior to entering the onsen, it is essential to shower; individual washing areas are available and you’ll observe others seated on a stool, using soap and water with a wooden bucket.
Small hand towels are provided for discretion before immersing in the water, but they should be kept out of the pool; some choose to rest them on their heads while relaxing. Larger towels remain in the changing rooms. Long hair should be secured to prevent it from touching the water, and having food or beverages in the water is regarded as inappropriate. Ensure you hydrate before and after the soaking session, as elevated temperatures may lead to dizziness.
Awareness of Japan’s intricate tie with tattoos is valuable. Though tattoo art has a deep cultural heritage, it was associated with crime during the Edo period due to its enforcement as punishment. Today, tattoos continue to be linked with criminality, resulting in many establishments disallowing individuals sporting visible tattoos.
Nevertheless, several locations embrace tattoos and publicize themselves accordingly. To deter unforeseen issues,Voordat je naar een onsen gaat, kun je hen van tevoren bellen om te informeren naar hun beleid omtrent tatoeages. Mocht je een kleine tatoeage hebben, winkels zoals Don Quijote bieden “tatoeagestickers” aan – huidskleurige pleisters die kleinere tattoos kunnen bedekken.
Als je eenmaal de onsenetiquette onder de knie hebt, rest er niets anders dan ontspannen en genieten van het heilzame hete water!
Hoe je naar Wakayama kunt reizen
Er zijn regelmatige treinverbindingen – zowel snel als lokaal – tussen Osaka en Wakayama, waardoor je gemakkelijk de onsen van de regio kunt bereiken na een bezoek aan de derde grootste stad van Japan. Treinpassen zoals de Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass bieden aanzienlijke kortingen voor buitenlandse bezoekers, inclusief onbeperkt reizen met de trein en enkele busdiensten in de regio. Let op speciale aanbiedingen die Japan Railway en Nankai Electric Railway af en toe aanbieden.
Eenmaal aangekomen in Wakayama City, rijden er bussen van Wakayama Station naar andere gebieden in de prefectuur. Bezoekers kunnen ook gebruikmaken van de Koyasan &Kumano Access Bus; passen bieden onbeperkte ritten tussen de Kōya-san en Kumano gebieden, erfgoedsites zoals Tsubo-yu en Kawayu inbegrepen.
Geproduceerd door Lonely Planet voor Visit Wakayama. Alle redactionele inzichten zijn uitsluitend die van Lonely Planet en reflecteren ons beleid van redactionele onafhankelijkheid en onpartijdigheid.