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Nagato Yumoto Onsen

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Nagato Yumoto Onsen

A newly reborn hot spring town both forward-looking and steeped in history

Nagato City

With a history of over 600 years, Nagato Yumoto Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Traditional ryokan inns, restaurants, and cafés renovated from old houses line the banks of the Otozure River, which flows through the heart of this quaint hot spring village. The whole town of Nagato Yumoto Onsen underwent a significant renewal and, in the spring of 2020, was remade into a hot spring town perfect for relaxing strolls.

The newly reopened day-trip hot spring facility ONTO is the symbol of the reborn Nagato Yumoto Onsen. According to the legend, a hot spring was discovered here in the 15th century by a Buddhist priest and is still springing after more than 600 years. ONTO welcomes visitors with cozy wooden interiors and soothing baths and is loved by locals and tourists alike.

The bamboo-lined stairway leading to the hot spring town is a symbol of Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

At the stylish "cafe & pottery OTO," you can enjoy drinks and sweets served in traditional Fukawa-Hagi pottery, a craft with 360 years of history. Savor a peaceful moment at the riverside terraces along the Otozure River, where you can unwind while listening to the murmuring of the river. At night, the picturesque streets of Nagato Yumoto Onsen are all lit up and make a great place for a leisurely stroll after a soak in the hot springs.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen hosts a variety of local events throughout the year. Cherry blossoms in spring, a riverside marché in early summer, and foliage in autumn are just some of the seasonal attractions that make walking around town even more enjoyable. In winter, don’t miss the magical Otozuregawa Uta Akari, a lighting event using light and sound to recreate the world of Nagato-born Kaneko Misuzu (1903–1930), who wrote poetry for children.

How to get there

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to Shin-Yamaguchi Station (about 4 hours and 40 minutes), then change to a local train to Asa Station and take a train to Nagato Yumoto Station (about 60 minutes). Nagato Yumoto Onsen hot spring town is about 10 minutes on foot from the station.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Nagato-shi, Yamaguchi-Ken