Kiyomon-no-Yu is a historic day-use hot spring facility located in the quiet Yukawa Onsen area of Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. The name comes from the former prestigious hot spring inn Kiyomon-ya, and the facility continues the traditional atmosphere and bathing culture that have long been associated with this area.
Surrounded by the mountains and forests of Kumano, Yukawa Onsen is said to have a history dating back approximately 1,500 years. It was once used by pilgrims traveling to the sacred Kumano region as a place for yugori, a traditional purification ritual involving bathing in hot spring water before or during a pilgrimage.
Today, visitors can still enjoy the natural blessings of the hot spring while experiencing a quiet corner of Kumano where nature, history, and spirituality come together.
One of the attractions of Kiyomon-no-Yu is its peaceful traditional Japanese-style architecture. As soon as visitors enter the building, they are surrounded by the warmth of natural wood and an atmosphere that evokes the traditional bathing culture of Japan.
The indoor bath features abundant use of natural stone, creating a solid yet welcoming space where guests can relax in the hot spring water. In addition to the large communal bath, private baths are available for families, couples, and groups of friends who prefer to enjoy the hot spring without worrying about other bathers.
After bathing, visitors can relax in the resting area overlooking Yukashi Lagoon. Sitting quietly while gazing across the calm water and surrounding greenery is a wonderful way to extend the relaxing experience after leaving the bath.
The greatest attraction of Kiyomon-no-Yu is its 100% free-flowing natural hot spring water. Fresh hot spring water continuously flows from the source into the baths, with excess water spilling over the edges.
Because the facility makes minimal use of added water and recirculation, visitors can experience the freshness of naturally sourced hot spring water. The water has a soft feel on the skin, while its subtle sulfurous aroma serves as a reminder of the area’s long history as a hot spring destination.
The spring is characterized by a gentle alkaline simple hot spring and a simple sulfur-type hot spring quality. Its relatively mild nature has made it popular with people of many different ages, from children to older visitors.
Hot springs in Japan have long been used as places for toji, a traditional form of hot-spring therapy and extended bathing for rest and recovery. Hot spring bathing is generally associated with relaxation and relief from conditions such as muscle pain, joint discomfort, stiff shoulders, bruising, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue.
Soaking slowly in the warm water allows the body to become deeply heated, and many visitors enjoy the pleasant warmth that remains even after leaving the bath.
The history of Yukawa Onsen is believed to stretch back approximately 1,500 years. According to local legend, two elderly men traveling from Ise visited the area and were deeply moved by the kindness of the local people.
In gratitude, they are said to have touched the ground with branches of a sacred sakaki tree. Hot spring water then sprang from the earth, and a stone image of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha associated with healing, is said to have appeared as well.
As the centuries passed, Yukawa Onsen became associated with pilgrims traveling to the Kumano Sanzan, the three major sacred sites of the Kumano region. Pilgrims used the hot springs to purify themselves and recover from the physical demands of their journeys.
The tradition of bathing at Yukawa has therefore been closely connected with the spiritual culture of Kumano, and the hot spring has continued to welcome travelers for generations.
Near Kiyomon-no-Yu is Yusenji Temple, traditionally regarded as one of the Seven Yakushi Temples of Kumano.
According to temple tradition, the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) visited the area and was impressed by the healing qualities of its hot spring. He is said to have established a hall dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai and named the temple Rurikozan Yusenji.
Yakushi Nyorai is revered in Japanese Buddhism as the Buddha of healing and medicine. People have long visited the temple to pray for recovery from illness. A local tradition also tells of people dedicating their walking sticks at the temple after recovering from illness.
Yusenji provides an opportunity to see how closely hot-spring culture and religious faith have been connected in Kumano for centuries.
In front of Kiyomon-no-Yu lies Yukashi Lagoon, one of the scenic highlights of the Yukawa Onsen area. The lagoon is a small brackish body of water with a circumference of approximately 2.2 kilometers, where fresh water and seawater mix to create a distinctive natural environment.
The name “Yukashi” was given by Haruo Sato, a poet who was born in Nachikatsuura. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons. Cherry blossoms appear in spring, while many waterfowl visit the lagoon during winter.
The mountains and sky reflected on the calm surface of the lagoon create beautiful views throughout the day. Around sunrise and sunset, the area can take on an especially atmospheric appearance.
After enjoying a hot spring bath, taking a leisurely walk along the shore of Yukashi Lagoon is an ideal way to relax and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.
The area around Kiyomon-no-Yu was once crossed by the Ohechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, one of the historic pilgrimage routes leading through the Kii Peninsula. Traces of the old route remain in the surrounding area, offering opportunities for visitors to combine hot-spring bathing with a leisurely historical walk.
The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that has been recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, pilgrims traveled these mountain paths toward the sacred sites of Kumano.
After walking along sections of the historic route, soaking in the hot spring provides a relaxing way to rest tired muscles while reflecting on the history and spiritual traditions of the region.
The Yukawa Onsen area is home to several distinctive hot spring facilities, including Yurinoyama Onsen and Shiki-no-Sato Onsen. Each offers its own atmosphere and bathing experience.
Elsewhere in Nachikatsuura, visitors can explore Nanki-Katsuura Onsen, Kinoshima Island, Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, and Nachi Falls. The area is therefore an excellent base for combining hot springs with sightseeing.
A trip that combines the Kumano Sanzan, the Kumano Kodo, and Yukawa Onsen allows visitors to experience the region’s nature, history, religious traditions, and hot-spring culture in a single journey.
Kiyomon-no-Yu offers an easy way to experience the long history and natural blessings of Yukawa Onsen, a hot spring area with traditions said to extend back approximately 1,500 years.
The combination of natural spring water flowing directly into the baths, the peaceful scenery of Yukashi Lagoon, the history of the Kumano pilgrimage, and nearby Yusenji Temple gives this hot spring a distinctive character.
For travelers exploring Nachikatsuura, Kiyomon-no-Yu is more than simply a place to take a bath. It is a place where visitors can slow down, relax, and experience the relationship between the mountains, hot springs, pilgrimage traditions, and spiritual culture of Kumano.
After exploring the Kumano Kodo or visiting the area’s famous shrines and waterfalls, taking time to soak in the warm waters of Kiyomon-no-Yu is a wonderful way to rest both body and mind.