🗺️ Dragon God Hot Spring龍神温泉

Ryujin Onsen is located in a quiet canyon in the Kii Mountain Range and is renowned for its excellent water quality, being hailed as one of Japan's "Three Great Beauty Hot Springs." Although direct train access is not very convenient, many hot spring enthusiasts are willing to travel great distances to enjoy the baths here. The water at Ryujin Onsen is a bicarbonate spring, colorless and transparent, with a very soft texture. After soaking in the hot spring, your skin becomes smooth and delicate, as if it has been treated with a beauty serum, leaving it moisturized and supple. In addition to its skin-enhancing effects, it is said to help improve symptoms such as poor blood circulation, neuralgia, and shoulder stiffness. Many travelers reportedly stay long-term at Ryujin Onsen to experience specialized hot spring therapy. Ryujin Onsen has a long history, said to be an ancient hot spring with a history of 1,300 years. Legend has it that the great monk Kobo Daishi discovered this hot spring after receiving inspiration from the dragon god Nanda in a dream. During the Edo period, many inns that directly sourced natural hot spring water from the springs opened around Ryujin Onsen along the Hidaka River, forming a well-known hot spring town that represents Wakayama and even the Kansai region. Additionally, the Ryujin Onsen area features a public bathhouse called "Ryujin Onsen Motoyu," which operates from 7 AM to 9 PM, making it a perfect spot to take a break while visiting the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. If you encounter snowy weather in winter, soaking in the hot spring while watching the snowflakes dance in the air adds a special charm to the experience. However, please note that if it is snowing, the buses departing from Mount Koya may suspend operations.

Located in a tranquil canyon of the Kii Mountains, it is filled with the atmosphere of hidden hot springs. After soaking in the onsen, it is said that the skin feels as if it has been coated with beauty serum, making it smooth and supple. It is one of Japan's three great beauty hot springs. Legend has it that this ancient onsen was opened by Kōbō Daishi about 1300 years ago.