Totsukawa Onsen Village / Kamiyu Onsen

Zoom into the heart of the Kii Peninsula at the southernmost point of Nara Prefecture to find Totsukawa Village, Japan's largest municipality by area. The village is home to three distinct hot springs—Yunotani, Totsukawa, and Kamiyu—each with its own unique qualities. Nestled along rivers and surrounded by rugged mountains, these onsen truly embody the essence of secluded hot springs.

The most remote of these is Kamiyu Onsen, a hidden treasure located about 5 kilometers west of Totsukawa Onsen bus stop. The springs were discovered half a millennium ago by local villagers, burbling even still today with undeniable history.

Slip into the riverside open-air baths for a relax time of gazing at the flowing river, surrounded by the vibrant pulse of nature. The spring water, a bicarbonate soda spring, is renowned for its skin-softening properties, earning it the nickname "Beauty’s Bath”. It is also said to be beneficial for conditions like atopic dermatitis. Thanks to the abundant water supply, you can enjoy the full luxury of soaking in 100% free-flowing spring water.

Beyond the soothing baths, visitors can engage in a variety of nature-based activities, such as exploring ancient trails and suspension bridges, mushroom foraging, and stargazing under clear skies.