Three Major Hot Spring in Wakayama – Shirahama, Katsuura and Ryujin Onsen

If you’re a fan of hot springs, Wakayama Prefecture is a place you should visit at least once.

Blessed with a warm climate and rich natural surroundings, this area is home to many historical onsen towns.

Among them, three particularly famous hot springs are known as Wakayama’s “Three Great Onsen.”

Each of these hot springs has its own unique charm, offering not only excellent water quality but also opportunities to enjoy history, resort life, and breathtaking views.

In this article, I’ll take a closer look at the allure of Wakayama’s three most famous hot springs.

Shirahama Onsen – A blend of history and resort life, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs

Shirahama Onsen is one of Japan’s three oldest hot springs, along with Dogo Onsen and Arima Onsen, boasting a history that stretches back around 1,300 years.

It’s even mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest collection of poetry, a testament to how loved it has been since ancient times. In the past, it thrived as a popular stop for those making the pilgrimage to Kumano.

Nowadays, it’s one of the most famous resort areas in the Kansai region, known for its stunning “Shirarahama” beach and “the Nanki Shirahama Adventure World,” a popular family destination.

Shirahama Onsen Highlights

Spring quality

The hot springs here are mainly sodium chloride springs, with some locations offering mixed waters that include carbonated and sulfur springs. These waters are known for their high heat retention, making them great for relieving chills and fatigue. They’re also reputed to improve skin issues like dryness.

Scenery

As the name suggests, Shirahama is famous for its white sand beaches, with emerald-green waters that offer a perfect resort atmosphere.

Shirahama Town also has a number of foot baths that you can use for free.

One of the standout spots is the “Mifune Ashiyu” footbath, where you can relax while watching the sunset over Engetsuto Island, one of Japan’s “100 best sunsets.”

Tourist Attractions

Beyond the hot springs, there are plenty of attractions in the area. Adventure World, a combined zoo, aquarium, and amusement park, is a big hit with families.

Nature lovers will appreciate the scenic spots like Engetsuto Island, Senjojiki, and Sandanbeki cliffs, while those seeking a more traditional experience can visit the “Saki no Yu” hot spring, with its stunning views of the sea.

Why Shirahama Onsen is Special

The biggest draw of Shirahama Onsen is its convenient location and the resort-like atmosphere. It’s easily accessible not only from the Kansai region but also from the Kanto area, thanks to direct flights from Tokyo to Shirahama Airport.

It’s a place where you can enjoy both sightseeing and hot springs, making it a perfect spot for family vacations or romantic getaways.

3 Recommended Hotels and Ryokan in Shirahama Onsen

Here are three carefully selected, highly rated ryokan and hotels in Shirahama Onsen.

Hamachidori no Yu Kaisyu

This is a place you simply can’t miss. Located at the tip of a cape, the entire property is designed to resemble a large ship.

Shirahama Onsen Musashi

Just a one-minute walk to Shirarahama Beach. This long-established ryokan cherishes the warm hospitality of traditional Japan.

Hotel Kawakyu

A truly magnificent property that goes beyond the concept of a “ryokan,” boasting overwhelming architectural beauty reminiscent of a medieval castle.

Katsuura Onsen – Stunning open-air baths overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Located on the eastern coast of the Kii Peninsula, Katsuura Onsen is known as the gateway to the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

One of the key attractions of Katsuura Onsen is its breathtaking open-air baths, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Bathing here, with the sound of waves crashing nearby, is a truly unique experience.

Katsuura Onsen Highlights

Spring quality

The hot springs here are simple sulfur springs, with a faint sulfur scent. The water is known for its skin-beautifying properties, making it especially popular with women. After a soak, your skin feels soft and smooth.

Spectacular Open-Air Baths

The highlight of Katsuura Onsen is undoubtedly its open-air baths with stunning ocean views.

Many hotels and inns here have baths that look out over the Pacific. One standout is the “Bokido” at Hotel Urashima, a massive bath set inside a natural cave where you can relax while listening to the waves.

There are also many inns where you can enjoy day trips to the hot springs, so you can easily enjoy the spectacular views without staying overnight.

Local Attractions and Gourmet

In addition to the hot springs, Katsuura is home to “Kumano Nachi Taisha,” one of the three major shrines of Kumano, and the famous Nachi Falls. Katsuura Port is also the leading tuna fishing port in Japan, so fresh tuna dishes are a local specialty you shouldn’t miss.

In addition to the hot springs, Katsuura is home to Kumano Nachi Taisha, one of the three major shrines of Kumano, and the famous Nachi Falls.

Katsuura Port is also the leading tuna fishing port in Japan, so fresh tuna dishes are a local specialty you shouldn’t miss.

Why Katsuura Onsen is Special

The combination of the stunning open-air baths and fresh seafood makes Katsuura Onsen a truly unique experience.

Bathing while taking in the vast Pacific Ocean is refreshing both physically and mentally.

Plus, the opportunity to enjoy fresh tuna after a soak is a delight that can’t be matched at other hot spring destinations.

3 Recommended Hotels and Ryokan in Katsuura Onsen

Here are three recommended accommodations in Nachikatsuura where you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of hot springs and the charm of traditional ryokan. Nachikatsuura is also famous as a “tuna town,” making it a great area to look forward to exceptional dining as well.

Aoki-shima no Yado Kumano Bettei Nakanoshima

This ryokan, located on a small island floating in Katsuura Bay, truly deserves to be called a “hidden retreat.”

Perfect for those who value privacy above all else and wish to spend a luxurious, unhurried time.

Manseiro

A long-established culinary ryokan founded in the Meiji era, quietly standing right by Katsuura Port.

Ideal for those who want to enjoy delicious seafood dishes along with the calm, relaxing atmosphere of a traditional ryokan.

Hotel Urashima

This is one of the most famous accommodations in Nachikatsuura—so well known that people often say, “When it comes to Nachikatsuura, this is the place.” It is highly recommended for those who want to experience the iconic cave hot springs at least once, or who enjoy exploring multiple baths within a single resort.

Ryujin Onsen – A secluded hot spring in the mountains, known as a “Beautifying Hot Spring”

Ryujin Onsen is located in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, central Wakayama.

It’s one of Japan’s “Three Great Beautyfying Hot Springs,” said to have been discovered by the famous monk Kobo Daishi in the Heian period.

Surrounded by the quiet of nature, it’s a perfect place to relax both body and mind.

Ryujin Onsen Highlights

Spring Quality

The hot springs here are sodium bicarbonate springs, known for their mild nature, making them especially suitable for those with dry or sensitive skin.

It’s been beloved for generations as a “beautifying hot spring,” with many people praising how smooth and silky their skin feels after a soak.

Scenic Environment

Ryujin Onsen is nestled in the beautiful mountains of the Kii Peninsula, offering a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

The town itself is small, but the stillness and tranquility make it feel like time has stopped, allowing visitors to unwind completely.

History and Culture

Ryujin Onsen has a rich history, with its origins tied to Kobo Daishi.

Its location, between the famous religious sites of Mount Koya and the Kumano Shrines, also makes it a great base for exploring Wakayama’s cultural heritage.

Why Ryujin Onsen is Special

What sets Ryujin Onsen apart is its remote, hidden-away atmosphere. The secluded location deep in the mountains gives it a special charm, making it feel like a secret retreat.

The water’s excellent beautifying properties, combined with the stunning natural surroundings, offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience unlike any other.

3 Recommended Ryokan in Ryujin Onsen

Here are three carefully selected recommended accommodations in Ryujin Onsen.

Ryujin Onsen Shimogoten

This atmospheric ryokan carries on the history of a former “goten” (lord’s residence) built during the Edo period for Tokugawa Yorinobu to rest and recuperate. Highlights include a mixed-gender open-air bath overlooking the clear Hidaka River and a large public bath made entirely of cypress wood.

Its distinctive appeal lies in the historic ambiance cherished by successive feudal lords, combined with breathtaking riverside open-air baths.

Kirari Ryujin

A modern and spotless inn that makes generous use of warm wooden elements. Guests enjoy spacious indoor baths and open-air baths, as well as popular buffet and kaiseki meals featuring local mountain and sea delicacies.

With its relatively new facilities, this ryokan is easy to use for families and groups alike.

Ryujin Onsen Kamigoten

Like Shimogoten, this ryokan is also closely associated with the Kishu Tokugawa family and is designated as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property. Guests can even stay in the historically preserved “Onari-no-Ma,” making it ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves in history.

A place of great cultural value, offering an authentic and tranquil atmosphere.

Other Notable Hot Springs in Wakayama

In addition to these three famous hot springs, Wakayama is home to many other unique and charming onsen spots.

Near Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, you’ll find Yunomine Onsen and Kawayu Onsen.

Yunomine is said to be Japan’s oldest hot spring, with its “Tsuboyu” bath, a small and ancient bath that was discovered around 1,800 years ago.

Meanwhile, Kawayu Onsen offers the rare experience of soaking in natural hot water that springs up from the riverbed itself, with the famous “Sennin Buro” during winter.

If you’re in Shirahama, you can also visit Tsubaki Onsen, known for its cozy inns and fresh seafood.

No matter where you go in Wakayama, each hot spring offers something different, blending natural beauty, history, and unique local charm.

Why not explore Wakayama’s rich onsen culture and enjoy its natural and historical treasures at the same time?