Saki-no-yu, Shirahama onsen

photo by ロリ · CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the three oldest springs in Japan: an emperor came here as early as 658.

The open-air bath (rotenburo) of Saki-no-yu stands on the rocks, with the waste water flowing straight into the sea, which is why shampoo and soap are banned here. The spring, called Muro-no-yu in the ancient sources, is one of the three oldest springs in Japan (本朝三古湯, together with Arima and Dōgo) according to the tradition recorded in the Nihon Shoki and the Man'yōshū: the emperors Saimei (658), Jitō (690) and Monmu (701) went there, according to the chronicles. The water comes out at 78 degrees and is of the sodium chloride type.

Public bath of the municipality of Shirahama, open all year except for occasional maintenance.

ℹ️ Entry 500 yen from age 3 upwards (free for people with disabilities and one companion). Seasonal hours: 8:00–17:00 (October–March), 8:00–18:00 (April–June, September), 7:00–19:00 (July–August); last entry half an hour before closing. Towel hire 200 yen, locker 100 yen.

🚉 Yuzaki · 5 min walk

Sources: town.shirahama.wakayama.jp

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