Kitsu Onsen in Kyotango: Hot Spring Guide & Access

Welling up in the hills of Kyotango, Kitsu Onsen is a historic bathing place said to be the oldest in Kyoto Prefecture. A legend that a single wounded white heron healed its wings here earned it the name heron spring, and it is also said to have been discovered by the Nara era monk Gyoki. Having welcomed travelers for more than a thousand years, this simple, calm spring still conveys the old mood of a healing retreat.

Highlights

• The venerable history of what is said to be the oldest spring in Kyoto Prefecture
• The heron spring legend of a white bird healing its wounds
• Soft water from a low tonic alkaline simple spring
• A quiet village dotted with inns offering free flowing source water

Enjoying the Seasons

Like nearby Yuhigaura, winter brings the bounty of the Sea of Japan led by snow crab to the table. Spring offers fresh green hills, autumn brings mountain foliage to color your soak, and summer pairs nicely with seaside outings. There is a historic inn said to have hosted the novelist Seicho Matsumoto, so you can quietly savor both the water and its history. You can soak at leisure through every season.

Access and Basic Information

• The nearest station is Yuhigaura Kitsu Onsen on the Kyoto Tango Railway
• About two and a half hours by car from central Kyoto
• The spring is a low tonic alkaline simple type at about 40 degrees
• There are inns where you can enjoy free flowing source water
• Day bathing is offered by some inns, and advance reservation may be required

Practical Travel Notes

• As this is not a flashy resort, it suits those who want to enjoy the water quietly. A bath alone takes about an hour, though staying overnight for a relaxed visit is also recommended.
• At inns offering day bathing, reservations may be required or the service may be suspended, so calling ahead is the surest way to confirm.
• It shares a station with and lies close to Yuhigaura Onsen, so a Tango bath trip visiting the coastal Yuhigaura as well is recommended.
• Winter snow crab is very popular, so if you stay overnight for crab cuisine, book early.
• In its quiet rural setting, it suits a trip meant to escape the bustle of the city and relax.

A Quick Tip

This is a spring for those who want to savor the water quietly rather than a flashy resort. Since it sits right next to the coastal Yuhigaura Onsen, a Tango bath trip visiting both is recommended. Whether day bathing is accepted varies by inn, so it is wise to confirm before you go. Rest your wings at this historic spring.