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Kawayu Yakushi no Yu

川湯薬師の湯かわゆくすしのゆ

A stone-built soaking pool in the Otogawa riverbed

Wild Onsen

Day Use

Yes
05:00–22:00

Bathing may not be possible during bad weather or when the river is running high.

¥0

Bathing & Water

Natural onsen water

Uses natural hot spring water

Outdoor BathYes

Open-air outdoor bath

Bathing Arrangements

Mixed BathingYes

Shared bathing area for all genders

A bathing garment (yuami-gi, 湯浴み着) or swimsuit is required.

Policies & Services

ParkingYes

On-site or nearby parking available

Views

River

About

Hot spring water rises straight out of the bed of the Otogawa river at Kawayu Onsen. Digging your own soaking hole into the gravel doesn't really work on this stretch of the river, so instead there's a built pool here: stone-lined, part of it roofed, roughly 5 by 4 meters and about 60cm deep. There's no attendant. When the water gets too hot, whoever's soaking presses a wall-mounted switch that pumps in cold river water to cool it, and the pool gets drained and cleaned every so often. Bathing is mixed and swimwear is required. It's a separate bath from the area's Senninburo (仙人風呂), a large pool dammed up only in winter; this one is open on the clear river year round. Watch for horseflies in summer, and a bad flood can bury the pool in sediment until it's cleared out again.

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1 review

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Sergey M
1 year ago· edited

610. Kawa Yu Kusushi No Yu, Kawayu Onsen, Wakayama ★★ A semi-wild onsen. The stated hours are 05:00 to 22:00. No payment is required. It is operated and maintained by a collaboration of five hotels. It is on the opposite bank, across a small bridge from the inhabited part of the village. There is a small roof, but no changing room. I visited in the rain, and there was nobody there. Mixed bathing, formally with clothing on. There is a section of fence in the center of the bath. To the right and left, there is a view of the river and the opposite bank. The water is clear, with a slight smell. The temperature was 42. The fence is a bit distracting, but the place is really cool. Recommended for a visit. 14.06.2025

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Last updated September 19, 2026