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Yunohama Onsen is located along the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo (near Akagi Pass and Dai Nichi Pass) and is renowned as one of Japan's oldest hot spring towns. Developed over 1,800 years ago, it gained fame because emperors such as Shirakawa, Toba, Go-Shirakawa, and Go-Toba would stop here to soak in the hot springs while on their pilgrimage to Kumano.
The ancient hot springs continue to gush forth steaming water. The spring water is a sulfur-containing sodium bicarbonate spring, said to have healing effects for conditions like neuralgia and skin diseases. In addition to the inns and restaurants in the hot spring town, which each have their own hot spring baths, there are also public baths specifically for outdoor hot springs and medicinal baths. Visitors can enjoy various hot springs with different effects according to their preferences.
The most recommended spot is the public bath "Tsuboyu" (Japanese: つぼ湯), which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a small rock bath surrounded by natural stones. It is said that the water in Tsuboyu changes color seven times in a single day. Although this small hot spring can only accommodate three adults at a time and is surrounded only by rocks with very simple facilities, its rustic atmosphere has a unique charm. There is a queue to use Tsuboyu, and the time limit for each soak is 30 minutes.
The source temperature reaches up to 90 degrees Celsius, and there is a freely accessible hot spring pool by the river flowing through the hot spring town, called Yudoko. Visitors can buy eggs and vegetables from nearby shops to experience the fun of cooking hot spring cuisine.
