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Tsubo-yu: Japan's Oldest and Only UNESCO-Listed Hot Spring

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Experience Japan's oldest and the world's only UNESCO-listed hot spring in a quaint mountain village along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.

Tsubo-yu in Yunomine Onsen is a tiny, rustic bathhouse holding the distinction of being the only UNESCO World Heritage-listed hot spring in the world. This simple stone and wood cabin, situated along a creek, offers an intimate and legendary onsen experience dating back 1,800 years.

A brief summary to Tsubo-yu

  • Monday 6 am-9 pm
  • Tuesday 6 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 6 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 6 am-9 pm
  • Friday 6 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 6 am-9 pm
  • Sunday 6 am-9 pm
Eve
From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Tsubo-yu.

  • Bring coins for the local bus, as change may not be available.
  • Purchase eggs at a local shop to boil in the hot spring waters at Yuzutsu, near the riverbank.
  • An entry ticket to Tsubo-yu also grants access to the Kusuri Medicine Bath and the Public Bath.

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Getting There

  • Walking

    From anywhere in Yunomine Onsen, Tsubo-yu is easily accessible on foot. Follow the main path through the village towards the Yunotani River. The small wooden structure housing Tsubo-yu is located directly next to the river, near the Yunomine Onsen Public Bath.

  • Public Transport

    Arriving by bus at Yunomine Onsen bus stop, walk towards the center of the village. Follow signs for Tsubo-yu or the Yunomine Onsen Public Bath. Tsubo-yu is a short walk from the bus stop, located next to the river. Ryujin Jidosha bus operates in the area. From Kumano Hongu Taisha, the bus to Yunomine Onsen costs ¥330-¥550.

Discover more about Tsubo-yu

Nestled in the remote mountain village of Yunomine Onsen, Wakayama Prefecture, Tsubo-yu offers a unique and historically rich onsen experience. As the only hot spring in the world recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts visitors seeking relaxation and cultural immersion.Legend claims Tsubo-yu was discovered in the 4th century and is Japan's oldest onsen. For centuries, pilgrims walking the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route have stopped here for ritual purification and revitalization. The small, rock-lined bath comfortably fits two people and is said to have healing properties, with waters that change color up to seven times a day depending on mineral content and conditions.Bathing in Tsubo-yu is a private experience limited to 30-minute slots. Visitors purchase tickets at the nearby Yunomine Onsen Public Bath, exchange it for a numbered card, and await their turn. The tradition of soaking in these sacred waters continues to draw those seeking physical and spiritual healing, connecting them to centuries of Japanese history and culture.

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