Yumoto Onsen

What to know

Yumoto (湯元, meaning "origin of hot water") is a small hot spring town tucked away in the back of Okunikko, within Nikko National Park. It sits picturesquely beside Lake Yunoko ("hot water lake") and is primarily composed of ryokan inns offering hot spring baths.

North of the town stands Onsenji, a Buddhist temple that features a small public hot spring bath. Adjacent to the temple is Yunodaira Marsh, where much of the town's geothermal water bubbles up from the ground. Hot water also seeps along the northern shore of Lake Yunoko, and a pleasant sulfur scent permeates the entire area.

Just south of Lake Yunoko, the lake's tranquil waters suddenly cascade down a steep 70-meter slope. This spectacular waterfall is called Yudaki ("hot water waterfall"), though neither the lake nor the waterfall's water is actually warm.

From Yudaki, the scenic Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail begins. It follows the Yukawa River ("hot water river") through forests and marshlands of the Senjogahara Plateau, ending at Ryuzu Waterfall on the shores of Lake Chuzenji.

Autumn colors around Yumoto Onsen are typically at their peak around mid-October.

Yumoto Onsen is connected to central Nikko by Tobu buses. Buses depart from Tobu Nikko Station (many also stop at JR Nikko Station) heading for Yumoto Onsen, with a frequency of 1-2 buses per hour. The one-way trip from Tobu Nikko Station takes about 80 minutes and costs 1950 yen. It is covered by the Nikko All Area Pass. A 2-day pass for unlimited bus rides between Nikko and Yumoto Onsen is available for 3500 yen at Tobu Nikko Station.