Tosenji Onsen Taki-no-yu

Tosenji Onsen is said to be the oldest hot spring in Totsukawa, and Taki-no-yu is its public bathhouse. A simple riverside setting and a faint scent of sulfur stir up the feeling of a hidden mountain spring. True to the Totsukawa districts pledge of free-flowing water, every tub here is filled with raw spring water and nothing added.

Highlights

From the open-air bath you can look out on a small waterfall that is lit up after dark. Sinking into the tub surrounded by trees, the sulfur scent of the water and the murmur of the river ease the mind. The building has a rest area and a dining corner, so you can take your time recovering after a soak. Plain yet well kept, the bath is enjoyed by locals and travelers side by side.

Enjoying the Seasons

From spring into summer the greenery deepens and the waterfall runs fuller and cooler. In autumn the foliage coloring the valley sets off the view from the tub, and in winter the clear air makes the sulfur scent stand out all the more. In every season the appeal lies in an open-air bath that becomes one with the nature of the gorge.

Access and Basic Information

The bath is in Obara, Totsukawa village, Yoshino district, Nara. Take a local bus from Yamato-Yagi Station toward the Totsukawa hot spring district and walk from the nearest stop. By car, it lies along National Route 168. It is often closed on Thursdays, so check the open days before you set out.

A Quick Tip

The sulfur scent can cling to clothing, so if smells bother you it helps to bring a change of clothes. Beyond Taki-no-yu the village is dotted with free-flowing springs, so try using a bath pass to hop between them.