Hi there!
The Tsuboyu onsen can be a destination on its own.
It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Tsuboyu is said to be the only UNESCO world heritage site that’s a hot spring that you can bathe in!
According to people of Wakayama tourism:
Tsuboyu is renowned for being the oldest hot spring in Japan.
It is also the only UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can enjoy full-body hot spring bathing.
This mysterious hot spring is a small rock bath which can fit about two adults, and the color of the hot water changes seven times each day.
According to legend, a famous military commander cured his illness at this spring.
Japanese language tip for onsen
Onsen means hot springs in Japanese.
The Tsuboyu onsen can be found right along the Kumano Kodo trail.
If you are hiking the Kumano Kodo through Yunomine Onsen, you will pass right by it.
You can do a mineral hot springs soak in private.
Bring a towel if you want to do this!
Tsuboyu is located at the rural Wakayama town of Yunomine Onsen.
Yunomine Onsen can make for a perfect part of your Kumano Kodo itinerary, whether you are doing the classic Kumano Kodo multi-day hike or if you are exploring Kumano Kodo by bus!
Kumano Kodo is a UNESCO world heritage pilgrimage route, and there are different Kumano Kodo routes.
Yunomine Onsen and Tsuboyu are on the Nakahechi Route.
You can also get to Tsuboyu by bus.
There is only one Tsuboyu onsen which means it’s possible (and common) that you will have to wait your turn for it to open up.
It’s first-come first-serve, with each person (or couple) being requested to limit their time to 30 minutes.
👆 The Tsuboyu onsen is the shack on the stream. You can have a private onsen hot springs experience along the Kumano Kodo at the Tsuboyu onsen!
👆 The bridge is a part of the Kumano Kodo trail. Just ahead of the bridge is the waiting area for the Tsuboyu onsen. You’ll take stairs down to the Tsuboyu shack for the hot springs.
👆 The stairs down to the private Tsuboyu onsen that is a UNESCO world heritage hot springs.
👆 Recognize this Japanese writing so you know what you’re looking for! It says “tsuboyu”
You will buy a ticket for the Tsuboyu onsen at the Yunomine Onsen public bath area which is near the Yunomine Onsen bus stop.
In 2022, the cost of a Tsuboyu onsen ticket was around 700 yen (US$5).
How to get to Tsuboyu onsen
👆 Getting to Tsuboyu and Yunomine Onsen by bus. If you are already in the Kumano Kodo area, then you can get to Yunomine Onsen by bus. Otherwise, you can first get to the region by train. You may look at arriving at the Kii-Tanabe station or the Kii-Katsuura Station.
You can get to Tsuboyu by bus.
The main road goes through Yunomine Onsen, and the bus makes a stop here.
The bus stop is in front of the public hot springs of Yunomine Onsen.
You can make note of the public bath that’s in front of the bus stop, as that is where you will buy the onsen ticket.
👆 You will see this in front of the Yunomine Onsen bus stop. Straight ahead is the Yunomine Onsen public bath. You’ll see a ticket machine to buy tickets for the onsen. This is where you will buy a ticket for the private Tsuboyu onsen also. This is also staffed in case you have any questions. Off to the left is where you will find the path to Tsuboyu.
But, you might first want to walk to Tsuboyu to see if there’s a wait and see how many people you might be waiting for. (Remember, there’s a 30 minute maximum which means for each person you see, it could be a 30 minute wait for each.)
When you are facing the public bath, the path to the Tsuboyu will be to the left.
Hopefully you will be fine with the wait you see, and then you can go and buy a ticket!
The official Kumano Kodo tourism website has bus schedules, but it’s best to verify locally to make sure you get the most up-to-date schedule.
If you arrive at the Kii-Tanabe train station, you can go to the Tanabe information center nearby to pick up a bus schedule.
How to take an onsen in Japan
The most important things to know about taking the Tsuboyu onsen is to be sure to rinse yourself off before you get in the onsen and to not wear any clothes, including a swimsuit.
This below is what was posted at another private onsen in Yunomine Onsen. There might be slight differences based on the type of private onsen they are, but it will give you a good idea of what to do!
HAPPY TAKING A PRIVATE ONSEN IN JAPAN ALONG THE KUMANO KODO!
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