Nakatsu Onsen; Ayame no Yu Narutaki
Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
- Location
- Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
- Water type
- sodium chloride
- Temperature
- 41 °C
- pH
- 7.3
Water profile
Thermicity
Sedative
LowHigh
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Mineralisation
Restorative
LowHigh
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Buoyancy
Effortless float
LowHigh
Dense, salty water — you float without effort.
SodiumChloruresBrome
Nakatsu Onsen, also known as Ayame no Yu Narutaki, is located in Hidakagawa, Wakayama. Its sodium-chloride water reaches 41°C and feeds an indoor bath, an outdoor rotenburo bath and a sauna.
Insider tip — Ayame no Yu Narutaki, the iris spring at the roaring waterfall, sits in the upper Hidaka River valley where the Kii Mountains begin to rise toward the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodo pilgrimage ridgelines. Wild iris blooms along the river margins in May and June, and the mountain path above the spring connects to the historic Nakahiji route of the Kumano pilgrimage that carried aristocrats from Kyoto to the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines since the 10th century.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 41 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sodium chloride water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.