Mie · Kumano (Yunokuchi & Iruka)
Iruka Onsen Hotel Seiryuso
入鹿温泉 ホテル瀞流荘
A hotel at Iruka Onsen deep in the mountains of Kiwa-cho, Kumano, said to be the closest lodging to the Dorokyo gorge. It draws 320 litres per minute from its own source (pumped), a soft alkaline simple spring, and the open-air bath looks down on the Kitayama River gorge - the foliage display from early November to early December is especially fine. The hotel is also known for its trolley train on the old mining railway, pairing the onsen with a taste of railroad heritage. Day bathing runs 12:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30), a handy base for the Kumano Kodo and eastern Kii peninsula, reachable on a single Mie Kotsu bus ride from Kumano-shi Station.
- Price (adult)
- ¥700
- Hours
- 12:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30)
- Closed
- Open daily
- Access
- 158 Ogawaguchi, Kiwa-cho, Kumano, Mie (postal code 519-5417). Take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Seiryuso from Kumano-shi Station on the JR Kisei (Kinokuni) Line for 47 minutes and get off at the last stop. About 45 minutes by taxi from JR Shingu Station. Parking available.
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0597-97-1180
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
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Why go
- The open-air bath looks down on the Kitayama River gorge; foliage season (early November to early December) is the highlight. The own-source alkaline simple spring flows at 320 L/min (pumped)
- Said to be the inn closest to the Dorokyo gorge, and known for its trolley train. Day bathing runs 12:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30)
- Day bathing: 700 yen for adults on weekdays (600 yen for 65+ and guests with disabilities, 350 yen for children); 1,000/900/600 yen on weekends, holidays, Golden Week, Obon and New Year (under 3 free)
About this onsen
Iruka Onsen sits in the mountains of Kiwa-cho, Kumano, near the Nara border, and Hotel Seiryuso is said to be the inn closest to the Dorokyo gorge. The open-air bath looks down on the Kitayama River gorge, and the foliage from early November to early December is superb. The water is an alkaline simple spring, drawn at 320 litres per minute from the hotel's own source. The restaurant serves day guests too (lunch 11:00-14:30, dinner 18:00-20:30), and the souvenir shop runs 7:30-20:30. The inn has 27 guest rooms.
Good to know
Day bathing is 12:00-21:00 (last entry 20:30). Weekday rates are 700 yen for adults, 600 yen for 65+ and guests with disabilities and 350 yen for children, but they rise to 1,000/900/600 yen on weekends, holidays, Golden Week, Obon and New Year - a weekday visit is the better deal. Under 3s are free. The Mie tourism federation page lists no closing days while some local tourism sources list irregular closures, so call ahead (0597-97-1180) to be safe. From JR Kumano-shi Station it is a direct 47-minute Mie Kotsu bus ride to the final stop, and pairing it with Yunokuchi Onsen or a Dorokyo gorge trip is easy.
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- Ryokan day-use hours are limited and may be suspended in peak season — phone the same morning.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Sauna & wellness
Mood & scenery
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-10 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
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