Shigisan Onsen

Sangobaya, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Location: Sangobaya, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Water type: thermal
Temperature: 38 °C
pH: 7.3

Water profile

Thermicity

Neutral

38 °C

LowHigh

Soothing — neither hot nor cold, perfect balance.

Mineralisation

Balancing

LowHigh

Rich in trace elements — gentle on the skin.

Buoyancy

Standard buoyancy

LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

BicarbonatesCalcium

Shigisan Onsen is a hot spring resort in the foothills of Mount Shigi, Nara Prefecture, in the Kinki region of central Honshu, situated near the famous Chogosonshiji Temple on Mount Shigi, which has been a center of esoteric Buddhist practice and the veneration of Bishamonten since the fourth century. Mount Shigi overlooks the Yamato Plain toward the ancient capitals of Nara and Asuka, and its combination of sacred landscape, historic temple, and hot spring bathing creates a distinctive pilgrimage and wellness destination in the heart of Japan's oldest cultural heartland. The oligometallic and simple waters of Shigisan Onsen are prized for their gentle cleansing character and restorative quality, complementing the spiritual renewal that visitors seek at the ancient Shigi temple complex.

Insider tip — Shigisan Onsen sits at the base of Mount Shigi, a sacred peak topped by the historic Chogoshonzoin temple complex in Nara Prefecture. The lightly mineralized oligometallique spring is prized for its neutral pH, which soothes without irritating even very sensitive skin. The forest path from the baths to the ancient temple takes about 30 minutes and passes through tunnels of cedar and hinoki cypress. Combine the thermal soak with a dawn visit to the temple pagoda for an unforgettable Nara backcountry experience.

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