- Culture
- Nara
Dorogawa Onsen Townscape
Enjoy day and night in a Showa retro hot spring town
Located in the village of Tenkawa in Nara Prefecture, Dorogawa Onsen has long flourished as a hot spring retreat for Shugendo practitioners who were visiting Mount Omine for ascetic training. The entire hot spring town is cloaked in a quaint atmosphere, but in particular, the "engawa" boarded floor running along the outside of traditional Japanese inns lets you feel the remnant of the Showa Period (1926-1989). It is perfect to sit and take a short rest. At night, the streets are lit up with beautiful strings of lanterns hanging outside the inns, which is perfect for a stroll on a cool summer night.
Dorogawa Onsen
The water quality at Dorogawa Onsen is a mildly alkaline simple spring that makes your skin feel smooth after taking a bath. Its healing waters have been used to alleviate the fatigue of mountain climbers making pilgrimages to Mount Omine, which has traditionally been considered a sacred mountain. In addition, the entire area is known as a place of beautiful spring waters such as "Gorogoro Mizu," which was recognized as one of the 100 Best Waters in Japan. Make sure to try the mineral water that is tasty and good for one's health.
Mount Omine
The monastery at the 1,720-meter-high Mount Omine was founded in the 7th century by En-no-Gyoja, as the first home in Japan for his new mountain worship religion known as Shugendo. Built on top of the mountain is Ominesan-ji Temple where a statue of Zao Gongen (protective deity of Shugendo) is enshrined. In adherence to the traditional Buddhist belief, women are prohibited from entering the mountain even today. Strict religious practices of asceticism are still conducted on this sacred mountain.
Location
| Name | Dorogawa Onsen Townscape |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00885/ |
| Address | Dorogawa, Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara |
| Access | From Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Railway Yoshino Line, take Nara Kotsu Bus bound for Dorogawa Onsen for about 80 minutes and get off at the final stop. |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0747-64-0333 (Dorogawa Onsen Tourist Association) |