Shionoha Onsen

Kawakami, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Location: Kawakami, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Water type: bicarbonate
Temperature: 40 °C
pH: 8

Water profile

Thermicity

Sedative

40 °C

LowHigh

Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.

Mineralisation

Restorative

LowHigh

Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).

Buoyancy

Standard buoyancy

LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

BicarbonatesSodiumCalcium

Shionoha Onsen is a hot spring resort in Nara Prefecture in the mountainous Yoshino district, whose bicarbonate, carbonated, and simple mineral waters have attracted bathers to this remote mountain valley since ancient times, benefiting from the extraordinary natural environment of the Yoshino-Kumano National Park that surrounds it. Nara Prefecture's southern highlands, known as Yoshino, are among the most sacred landscapes in Japan, home to the legendary cherry blossoms of Yoshino mountain, the Shugendo mountain asceticism tradition of the Kinpusenji Temple, and the UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes of the Kii Peninsula. Shionoha Onsen provides thermal bathing in one of Japan's most spiritually resonant mountain settings, where the rejuvenating properties of the bicarbonate waters complement the profound natural and religious heritage of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Insider tip — Shionoha Onsen occupies a remote forested gorge in the Yoshino mountains of Nara, accessible by a winding road that follows the Kitayama River. The bicarbonate-carbonated water is pleasantly effervescent and leaves skin feeling uniquely smooth and moisturized. The surrounding Omine mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route, and ascetic mountain monks have soaked here for centuries before arduous forest treks. Accommodation is limited to two small inns, giving the onsen a genuinely secluded feel even during peak autumn-leaf season.

Find hotels nearby →Tickets & activities →See the map & practical info →