Yunomine Onsen, Hot spring resort in Tanabe, Japan
Yunomine Onsen is a hot spring resort nestled in the Kii Mountains of Wakayama, surrounded by traditional Japanese inns and public bathhouses in a small village setting. The water contains sulfur, sodium, and bicarbonate and reaches temperatures around 92 degrees Celsius.
The spring was discovered roughly 1,800 years ago and served pilgrims traveling the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route for centuries. It became an important stopping place for religious travelers seeking rest and healing during their sacred journeys.
The name refers to a therapeutic bath, reflecting its role as a healing destination for travelers through the centuries. People today continue the tradition of soaking in the warm pools as a pause in their journey, much like pilgrims did in the past.
The best time to visit is outside holiday periods, when the village is less crowded and the baths are more relaxing. Comfortable shoes are important, since most inns and bathhouses are within walking distance of each other.
Tsuboyu bath is the only hot spring listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors can enjoy it privately for about 30 minutes. The bath itself is small enough to fit only two people at a time, making it a particularly intimate experience.
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