A Vast Open-Air Bath Surrounded by Nature
A Relaxing Soak in the Mountains of Kumano
The Grand Open-Air Bath is located in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by the mountains of Kumano and exceptionally clean mountain air. The spacious bathing area is supplied with abundant natural hot spring water directly from the source, allowing visitors to enjoy a fresh and authentic onsen experience.
During the day, you can relax beneath the open sky while looking at the surrounding mountains. At night, the experience becomes even more special as you soak in the warm water beneath a sky filled with stars. In winter, rising steam creates a particularly atmospheric scene, making the bath feel like a tranquil world far removed from everyday life.
The open-air baths stretch along a mountain stream, allowing bathers to listen to the gentle sound of flowing water and birdsong while enjoying the hot spring. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons: fresh green foliage in spring, deep greenery in summer, colorful autumn leaves, and crisp winter air accompanied by clouds of rising steam.
A Hot Spring Known as a “Beauty Bath”
The spring water at Watarase Onsen is classified as a sodium-hydrogen carbonate and chloride spring. Such springs are often associated with a smooth bathing experience because the water can leave the skin feeling soft and refreshed. For this reason, Watarase Onsen has traditionally been enjoyed as a “beauty bath”.
Many visitors appreciate the smooth sensation of their skin after bathing. The spring has also traditionally been associated with various therapeutic benefits, including relief from conditions such as neuralgia, rheumatism, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and certain skin ailments. These descriptions reflect traditional hot spring practices and should not be regarded as medical treatment.
Thanks to its abundant water supply, the onsen is available as a free-flowing hot spring, meaning that fresh spring water continuously flows into the baths. The warm water gently envelops the body, making it an ideal way to relax after a long day of sightseeing or hiking.
A Variety of Baths for a Complete Onsen Experience
Private Open-Air Baths
Watarase Onsen offers more than its famous Grand Open-Air Bath. Private open-air baths, including baths designed for families, are also available and are especially popular with couples and travelers with young children.
These private baths allow guests to enjoy the hot spring surrounded by nature without worrying about other bathers. The peaceful setting makes them an excellent choice for anyone seeking a more private and relaxing experience after traveling or hiking through the Kumano region.
Sasayuri Large Bath
Guests can also enjoy the large communal bath at Hotel Sasayuri. The bath uses natural hot spring water directly from the source and provides a quiet and comfortable environment for a relaxing soak.
Depending on the available facilities and operating hours, visitors can enjoy different bathing experiences by combining the large bath with the open-air baths. This variety is one of the pleasures of staying at Watarase Onsen.
Stay Among the Nature of Kumano
Yamayuri, Sasayuri, and Himeyuri
Watarase Onsen includes several accommodation facilities, including Yamayuri, Sasayuri, and Himeyuri. Each has its own character, but they share a common appeal: the opportunity to relax while surrounded by the beautiful natural environment of Kumano.
Yamayuri focuses on a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Its Japanese-style rooms and restaurant with high ceilings provide a comfortable setting for guests. The mountain-lodge-style restaurant offers views of the surrounding mountains and the scenic Shimomura River.
Sasayuri offers a calm and comfortable atmosphere, with a spacious lobby and quiet guest rooms designed to help travelers unwind. It is particularly suitable for visitors who want to slow down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Kumano countryside.
Enjoy the Flavors of Kumano
The accommodations also offer meals featuring seasonal ingredients from Kumano and the Kishu region. Dishes incorporating fresh mountain and seafood products vary according to the season, allowing visitors to experience a different selection of local flavors throughout the year.
Popular local dishes include Kumano beef steak and whale sashimi. Breakfast may also include dishes such as onsen porridge made using hot spring water, as well as seasonal yudofu, or hot spring tofu. These dishes provide a gentle and satisfying way to enjoy the culinary traditions of the region.
Day Trips Are Also Welcome
A Convenient Stop During a Kumano Journey
The Grand Open-Air Bath and private baths at Watarase Onsen can also be enjoyed by day visitors, making the area a convenient stop during a trip through Kumano.
Many travelers visit after walking part of the Kumano Kodo or exploring Kumano Hongu Taisha. A relaxing soak in the hot spring is an ideal way to ease tired muscles and refresh yourself before continuing your journey.
The facilities also include a restaurant and souvenir shop, allowing visitors to enjoy a meal or browse for local products after bathing.
Try Kumano’s Famous Mehari-zushi
The restaurant next to the open-air bath serves local dishes from the Kumano region. One of the most popular is Mehari-zushi, a traditional local specialty made by wrapping rice in pickled mustard greens.
Simple yet full of flavor, Mehari-zushi is one of the foods most closely associated with the Kumano area. Other options may include Sanma-zushi, a local mackerel pike sushi, as well as udon, soba, and rice bowls, making it easy to enjoy a casual meal after your bath.
Combine Outdoor Adventures with a Hot Spring
A Base for Camping and Nature Experiences
In recent years, Watarase Onsen has also become popular as a base for outdoor activities. The surrounding area offers campsites, cabins, cottages, and other facilities where families and younger travelers can enjoy an overnight stay close to nature.
The mountain environment provides opportunities for walking, exploring the riverside, and enjoying other outdoor activities. Afterwards, returning to the hot spring for a relaxing soak is one of the best ways to enjoy the Kumano countryside.
During the day, you can spend time actively exploring the natural surroundings. At night, you can relax in the warm waters while looking up at the star-filled Kumano sky. This combination of outdoor adventure and traditional Japanese bathing creates a memorable experience unique to the region.
An Ideal Base for Exploring Kumano
Watarase Onsen is conveniently located for visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha and sections of the Kumano Kodo, making it an excellent base for exploring the sacred landscape of the Kii Peninsula.
Some accommodations in the area may offer transportation services to destinations such as Kumano Hongu Taisha, Hosshinmon-oji, and Fushiogami-oji. This can be particularly convenient for travelers planning to walk sections of the Kumano Kodo.
Nearby Kawayu Onsen and Yunomine Onsen are also within the wider Kumano Hongu Onsenkyo area. Combining several hot spring destinations allows visitors to experience different aspects of the traditional hot spring culture of Kumano.
Relax Your Body and Mind at Watarase Onsen
The Watarase Onsen Grand Open-Air Bath is an exceptional place to experience the natural beauty and hot spring culture of Kumano. Its enormous open-air bath, seasonal mountain scenery, local cuisine, and peaceful rural surroundings create an ideal environment for rest and relaxation.
After walking the Kumano Kodo or visiting Kumano Hongu Taisha, soaking in the spacious outdoor bath while listening to the sound of the nearby stream can be a particularly rewarding part of your journey.
Whether you are looking for a traditional Japanese onsen experience, a relaxing stop after hiking, a nature-focused getaway, or a peaceful place to stay in the mountains, Watarase Onsen offers a memorable experience in the heart of Kumano.
Leave the pace of everyday life behind and allow yourself to slow down among the forests, mountains, rivers, and hot springs of Kumano. A visit to Watarase Onsen is a wonderful way to experience the quiet beauty and healing atmosphere of one of Japan’s most sacred natural regions.