What makes Tsuboyu special and how much does it cost?

Tsuboyu is the world's only UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can bathe in hot springs. This tiny stone bath, which accommodates only two adults, is considered Japan's oldest hot spring. The waters are said to change color seven times throughout the day due to mineral content variations. Admission costs 800 yen per person for a 30-minute session for up to two people. Tickets are purchased from a vending machine near the public bath area, and entry operates on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations.

How do I get to Yunomine Onsen?

Daily buses connect Yunomine Onsen to major nearby cities including Tanabe, Shingu, and Gojo. Regular bus services run from Kii-Tanabe Station and Shirahama, making it accessible for travelers coming from Osaka or other major cities. The village is located close to Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine and serves as a convenient stop along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. The journey involves traveling through mountain roads, so plan for scenic but winding transportation.

Can I cook food in the hot springs?

Yes, Yunomine Onsen has a designated cooking area where visitors can prepare food using the natural 90-degree Celsius hot spring water. This unique experience allows you to cook eggs, which take approximately 12 minutes, and sweet potatoes, which require at least 45 minutes. The cooking area is located near the village center and provides a traditional way to experience the intense heat of the mineral-rich spring water while preparing local specialties.

What accommodation options are available?

Yunomine Onsen offers traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) accommodations that provide an authentic hot spring experience. These establishments typically include kaiseki meals featuring local ingredients and access to private family baths fed by the natural spring waters. Many ryokan allow guests to experience the therapeutic mineral waters directly from their source, creating an intimate and traditional Japanese hot spring atmosphere in the mountain valley setting.

Wakayama

Yunomine Onsen, Tanabe

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Last updated Mar 21, 2026

Yunomine Onsen was discovered about 1,800 years ago, and it is thought to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. Legend has it that water from a statue of Yakushi Nyorai was found there 1,800 years ago. This remote mountain village in Wakayama Prefecture holds exceptional cultural and spiritual significance as an integral part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage tradition. For over 1000 years, pilgrims performed hot water purification rituals in these piping-hot mineral waters after their long journey in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.

The village's most remarkable feature is Tsuboyu, renowned for being the oldest hot spring in Japan and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can enjoy full-body hot spring bathing. This tiny stone bath accommodates approximately two adults and represents the world's first public hot spring to receive World Heritage status. The waters here are said to change color seven times over the course of a day. Beyond its historical importance, the mineral-rich waters are celebrated for their therapeutic properties, particularly as a beauty-enhancing bath.

Visitors can experience both the famous Tsuboyu and the larger public baths at Yunomine Onsen. Tsuboyu tickets cost 800 yen per person for 30 minutes of use by up to two people, purchased from a vending machine near the public bath. The experience operates on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. A unique local tradition involves cooking eggs and vegetables in the natural 90-degree Celsius hot spring water at the cooking area near the village center, where eggs take 12 minutes and sweet potatoes require at least 45 minutes.

The village offers traditional ryokan accommodations where guests can enjoy kaiseki meals and private family baths. Multiple establishments provide direct access to the natural spring waters that flow from their source, allowing visitors to experience authentic Japanese hot spring culture in an intimate mountain setting.

Daily buses travel to Yunomine Onsen from Tanabe, Shingu and Gojo, with regular services from Kii-Tanabe and Shirahama. The village is located a short drive from Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine and serves as an accessible stop along the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. The narrow mountain valley setting provides a secluded atmosphere ideal for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and relaxation in Japan's most historically significant hot spring destination.