Wakayama · Kumano Hongu Onsen (Yunomine & Kawayu)
Yunomine Onsen Public Bath (Ippan-yu, Kusuri-yu, Family Bath)
湯の峰温泉 公衆浴場（一般湯・くすり湯・家族湯）
The public bath at the heart of Yunomine Onsen, one of Japan's oldest springs, where pilgrims purified themselves before Kumano Hongū Taisha. The building, renovated in 2022, also serves as reception for the World Heritage 'Tsuboyu'. There are three bathrooms: the 'Ippan-yu' with hot and tepid tubs (adults ¥400, shampoo provided), the concentrated 'Kusuri-yu' filled with undiluted source water (¥600, no soap allowed) and a 30-minute private family bath (¥700), all sulphur-scented sodium-bicarbonate-chloride water ranging from milky to clear. Tsuboyu (¥800, 30-minute slots) can mean a wait of hours when busy, so the clever order is to take a number and warm up in the public bath first. Open 06:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30), irregular cleaning closures. The village also has the 'Yuzutsu', a 90 °C source where you boil eggs and vegetables, and is the trailhead of the Dainichi-goe section of the Kumano Kodō. About 2 hours by bus from JR Kii-Tanabe or Shingū stations to 'Yunomine Onsen', right by the stop; 46 parking spaces.
- Price (adult)
- ¥400
- Hours
- 06:00–21:00
- Closed
- Irregular (cleaning closures)
- Access
- Ryūjin bus toward Hongū Taisha from JR Kii-Tanabe Station, about 2 h to 'Yunomine Onsen', right by the stop; about 1 h 20 min by Kumano Gobō Nankai bus from JR Shingū Station; about 1 h 30 min by car from Kamitonda IC
- Water type
- Sulfur spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0735-42-0074
- Official site
- www.hongu.jp/onsen/yunomine/tuboyu ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Kumano Hongu Onsen (Yunomine & Kawayu). Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Pilgrims' purification bath, among Japan's oldest
- Undiluted 'Kusuri-yu'; 30-min family bath
- Ippan-yu ¥400; soak while waiting for Tsuboyu
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- The water runs hot (43–45°C). Don't add cold water; take short repeated dips instead.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Rules & private
Price
Who with
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 熊野本宮観光協会（一般湯400円 くすり湯600円 家族湯700円・6–21時 受付20:30・不定休）／ゆる〜と
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Saki-no-Yu
An open-air-only bath at the edge of the Pacific. One of Japan's oldest springs, mentioned in the 8th-century Nihon Shoki; on rough days sea spray reaches the tubs. No roof, no wash stations.
Shirahama Onsen Muro-no-yu
Shirahama's other classic public bath, on the Yuzaki seafront near Saki-no-yu. Its draw: two distinct springs — Mabuyu and Miyukiyu — under one roof. 7 am to 10 pm, ¥420.
Ryujin Onsen Motoyu
The source bath of Ryujin Onsen, counted with Yunokawa and Kawanaka among Japan's 'three beauty baths'. It stands on the Hidaka River deep in the Kii mountains, with a cypress indoor bath and a rock rotenburo overlooking the stream. The silky bicarbonate water is famous for leaving skin smooth. ¥800, 7:00–21:00, open daily. An hour by car from Koyasan via the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, or about 80 minutes by bus from Kii-Tanabe.