Kawayu Onsen (Sennin-buro)
Open by month
Open in January — at its best. Sennin-buro giant river bath Dec – end Feb (6:30–22:00, free); lanterns on Saturday evenings during the season. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Open in February — at its best. Sennin-buro giant river bath Dec – end Feb (6:30–22:00, free); lanterns on Saturday evenings during the season.
Open in March. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in April. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in November. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in December — at its best. Sennin-buro giant river bath Dec – end Feb (6:30–22:00, free); lanterns on Saturday evenings during the season. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): open.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-12.
A riverside hamlet in Kumano where hot water wells up from the gravel of the Oto River, so you can dig your own bath. In winter the river is dammed into the huge free Sennin-buro.
Nearby
- Yunomine Onsen (Kumano) ≈ 15 min by car
- Kumano Hongu Taisha and Oyunohara ≈ 15 min by car
- Kumano Kodo Nakahechi (Hosshinmon-oji to Hongu) ≈ 25 min by car
- Tamaki Shrine ≈ 35 min by car
- Dorokyo Gorge (Doro Hatcho) ≈ 40 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Best time
- January, February, December — Sennin-buro giant river bath Dec – end Feb (6:30–22:00, free); lanterns on Saturday evenings during the season
- Getting there
- Bus from JR Kii-Tanabe Sta. or Shingu via Kumano Hongu
- Fee
- River baths free
- Good to know
- Swimsuits are required in the river. Bring a shovel to dig unless your inn lends one. Baths can close after heavy rain; call the Hongu tourist office (0735-42-0735).
- Time needed
- 4 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-12. Report outdated info