Deep in the mountains of Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture, the Ryujin Area is a peaceful destination surrounded by pristine rivers, dense forests, and beautiful mountain scenery.
The former Ryujin Village was incorporated into Tanabe City in 2005, but the name “Ryujin” remains part of the local place name and continues to be closely associated with the region. With roughly 70 percent of the area located at elevations of 500 meters or higher, Ryujin has a distinctly mountainous character.
Clean mountain air, deep green forests, dramatic valleys, and clear streams make this an ideal destination for travelers looking to escape the bustle of urban Japan.
The area is especially famous for Ryujin Onsen, one of Japan’s “Three Beauties’ Hot Springs.” Other attractions include the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, Gomadan-zan, Komoridani Valley, mountain parks, campsites, and scenic viewpoints.
Each season offers a different experience: fresh greenery in spring, cool mountain streams in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snow-covered landscapes in winter. Ryujin is a place where visitors can slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of the Kii Peninsula.
The best-known attraction in the Ryujin Area is Ryujin Onsen, a historic hot spring with approximately 1,300 years of history.
Along with Yunokawa Onsen in Shimane Prefecture and Kawanaka Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, it is traditionally counted among Japan’s Three Beauties’ Hot Springs, a group of hot springs famous for water believed to leave the skin smooth and soft.
The spring water is a clear, colorless sodium hydrogen carbonate spring, commonly known in Japan as a bicarbonate or “baking soda” spring. The water has a remarkably smooth feel against the skin, and many visitors appreciate the soft, moisturized sensation after bathing.
Ryujin Onsen has long been known as a “beauty hot spring”. Traditional bathing culture also associates the spring with relief from cold sensitivity, neuralgia, muscle pain, and joint pain. Above all, however, the experience is about relaxation: soaking in warm mineral-rich water while listening to a mountain stream and breathing in the fresh scent of the surrounding forest.
The hot spring town stretches along the Hidakagawa River, with traditional Japanese inns lining the water. Some baths offer views of the river and seasonal scenery, allowing guests to enjoy the soothing combination of hot spring water, flowing water, and forest landscapes.
At the heart of the hot spring town is Ryujin Onsen Motoyu, a public bathhouse supplied with 100-percent natural hot spring water directly from the source.
The facility features traditional hinoki cypress and rock baths, as well as an outdoor bath overlooking the Hidakagawa River. On clear nights, the surrounding darkness can reveal a sky filled with stars, creating a particularly atmospheric bathing experience.
The gentle quality of the water makes it a popular stop for travelers exploring the region by car or visiting the hot spring town. For anyone traveling through Ryujin, a soak at Motoyu is one of the experiences not to be missed.
Ryujin Onsen is surrounded by legends connected with some of the most important religious figures in Japanese history.
According to tradition, the hot spring was discovered by En no Gyōja, the legendary founder of the Japanese mountain ascetic tradition known as Shugendō. It is also said that Kūkai, better known as Kōbō Daishi, later opened the hot spring after receiving a revelation from the dragon king Nanda Ryūō.
These traditions contributed to Ryujin’s reputation as a spiritually powerful place. The remote mountains, forests, waterfalls, and hot springs provide a setting that naturally lends itself to stories of mountain ascetics, Buddhist practice, and sacred landscapes.
During the Edo period, Tokugawa Yorinobu, the first lord of the Kii branch of the Tokugawa family, became a great admirer of Ryujin Onsen. The Kii Tokugawa government invested in bathing and accommodation facilities, and the hot spring developed into a retreat used by the ruling family.
The historic route traveled by the Tokugawa lords between Wakayama Castle and Ryujin Onsen became known as the Ryujin Kaidō. Traces of this history remain visible in the area today.
Two historic Japanese inns, known as Kamigoten and Shimogoten, remain in the hot spring town.
These inns preserve the atmosphere of the area’s long history and offer visitors a chance to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture and hospitality. Kamigoten is particularly associated with Tokugawa Yorinobu and is traditionally said to have been built as accommodation for his hot spring retreats.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, staying or visiting in the area provides an opportunity to experience the connection between hot spring culture and the feudal history of the Kii Peninsula.
Onsen-ji Temple is another historic site in the hot spring town. According to tradition, its origins can be traced to a small hermitage where Kōbō Daishi enshrined a statue of the Buddhist deity Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine.
The temple remains a quiet place where visitors can experience the spiritual atmosphere of the mountain village. It is a natural stop to combine with a walk through the hot spring town.
Tenchū-gura is a historic site associated with the turbulent final years of the Edo period.
It was used to confine members of the Tenchū-gumi, a group of samurai and activists who supported the movement to restore imperial rule and expel foreign influence from Japan. Poems traditionally associated with the prisoners remain on the wooden pillars, giving visitors a poignant connection to this dramatic period of Japanese history.
One of the best ways to experience the Ryujin Area is by driving along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, a spectacular mountain road connecting Koyasan with Ryujin Onsen.
The road winds through mountains rising to elevations of more than 1,000 meters, with impressive natural scenery unfolding along the route. It is considered one of Wakayama’s most scenic driving and touring routes.
Spring brings fresh green foliage, summer offers cool mountain air, autumn transforms the hillsides with brilliant colors, and winter can bring snow-covered landscapes.
The autumn foliage season is particularly popular, attracting many visitors and motorcycle touring enthusiasts. During winter, however, snow and icy road conditions can result in temporary closures or requirements for snow chains, so travelers should check road conditions before setting out.
Along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline lies Gomadan-zan Forest Park, a beautiful natural area surrounded by the high mountains of Wakayama.
The park contains extensive natural forest and walking trails where visitors can enjoy a peaceful forest-bathing experience. Because of its elevation, the area can remain pleasantly cool even during summer.
Nearby, Michi-no-Eki Tanabe City Ryujin Gomasan Sky Tower offers an elevated viewpoint over the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. On clear days, visitors can see distant mountain ridges stretching toward the horizon.
The combination of the mountain road, forest park, and panoramic viewpoint makes this area a particularly rewarding stop for travelers exploring the Koya-Ryujin route.
Located in the northern part of the Ryujin Area, Komoridani Valley is a secluded natural valley in the upper reaches of the Hidakagawa River.
The valley is surrounded by rich natural forests and features streams and waterfalls. In autumn, the changing foliage creates one of the area’s most beautiful seasonal landscapes.
Komoridani is also associated with a tragic legend concerning Taira no Koremori, a warrior of the Taira clan during the late Heian period.
Several places in the valley are connected with stories about Koremori and his lover, Oman, including Oman-ga-fuchi, as well as the formations known as Akatsubo and Shirotsubo.
These places combine dramatic natural scenery with stories of love, loss, and the fall of the Taira clan, giving the valley an atmosphere of historical romance.
Emon-Kamon Falls consists of two waterfalls flowing side by side within the valley.
According to legend, two men named Emon and Kamon, who deeply admired Koremori, followed him and ultimately threw themselves into the falls. The tragic story has become part of the folklore of the valley.
Surrounded by quiet forests, the waterfalls offer a striking contrast between the peaceful beauty of nature and the sadness of the legend.
Mandala Falls is another notable attraction in the valley. The waterfall became famous after appearing in the classic Japanese novel Dai-bosatsu Tōge by Kaizan Nakazato.
In the story, the protagonist uses the waterfall to help heal his eyes. The literary connection has attracted visitors interested not only in nature but also in Japanese literature.
For travelers who want to spend more time outdoors, Niū Yamasemi-no-Sato Forest Park offers a range of nature-based activities.
The park is located beside the Niū-no-kawa River, a tributary of the Hidakagawa River. Accommodation includes cottages, tent camping areas, and facilities created by renovating a former elementary school.
Surrounded by forest, the park is ideal for playing in the river, stargazing, hiking, and enjoying the peaceful mountain environment. It is also known as a starting point for traversing the Konnan Mountain Range, making it popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Within the park, Yamasemi Onsen-kan offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a simple alkaline hot spring.
The outdoor bath overlooks the clear Niū-no-kawa River and surrounding mountains. The scenery changes throughout the year, from fresh spring greenery to summer forests and autumn foliage.
The building incorporates plenty of locally produced Ryujin timber, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. After hiking or spending time outdoors, soaking in the hot spring provides a relaxing way to end the day.
Michi-no-Eki Ryujin, also known as Woody Plaza Mokuzokukan, is an excellent place to stop while exploring the Ryujin Area.
Located along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, the facility is characterized by its warm wooden architecture. Inside, visitors can browse furniture, woodcraft, bamboo crafts, pottery, and other handmade products created by local artisans.
The scent of natural wood and the quiet atmosphere make the roadside station a pleasant place to take a break while discovering the traditional craft culture of the mountain region.
The restaurant serves a variety of dishes featuring ingredients associated with the mountain region. Popular choices include wild boar and venison dishes, such as wild boar rice bowls and wild boar udon.
Other local specialties include shiitake mushroom burgers and amago trout dishes. The thick, meaty shiitake mushrooms known as Ryujin Mushrooms are particularly popular and can also be purchased as souvenirs.
Visitors can also find products made with locally grown yuzu citrus, as well as Wakayama’s famous plum products. These foods offer a delicious way to discover the natural bounty of the mountains.
Just near the roadside station is a rustic suspension bridge crossing the Hidakagawa River.
Built in a distinctive log-style design, it is an unusual bridge in the Kansai region and leads toward Minase Shrine. Surrounded by forests and the flowing river, the bridge itself is a scenic attraction and a pleasant addition to a walk around the area.
The Ryujin Village Dragon Museum is a unique attraction inspired by the region’s name and its connection with dragons.
The museum features numerous works of art centered on the theme of the dragon. Sculptures and paintings create an imaginative atmosphere, while the exhibits demonstrate how local culture and contemporary art can be combined.
Among the highlights are dramatic dragon sculptures, paintings, ceiling artwork associated with Ryujin Shrine, and dragon figures created using chainsaw art.
The museum offers a completely different experience from the area’s hot springs and mountain scenery, making it an interesting stop for visitors who want to discover the creative side of Ryujin.
The Ryujin Area brings together beautiful mountain landscapes, historic hot springs, local traditions, outdoor activities, and the warm atmosphere of a rural Japanese community.
A journey through the area can combine a scenic drive along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline with a relaxing soak in Ryujin Onsen, a walk through the forest, a visit to historic sites, and a meal featuring local mountain ingredients.
Perhaps the greatest attraction of Ryujin is the opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature. The sound of a mountain stream, the scent of trees, the changing colors of the forest, and the warmth of a traditional hot spring create an experience far removed from the noise of modern cities.
For travelers exploring Wakayama and the Kii Peninsula, Ryujin is an ideal destination for discovering a quieter side of Japan. Whether you come for the famous hot springs, spectacular mountain roads, historical legends, outdoor adventures, or simply the chance to rest, this secluded mountain region offers a memorable journey into the heart of Wakayama’s natural and cultural heritage.