Based in the Kansai region of Japan, Yunomine Onsen is a remote village surrounded by the Kii mountains that are well-known in the Wakayama area. It is also said to be the oldest onsen within Japan.
There are many places to stay in this onsen town due to it also housing the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route which is recognized as a UNESCO sight of importance.
Mostly people head to Yunomine Onsen for the traditional hot springs and trekking. Otherwise, there is not much else to do in this remote area.
Despite this, it is a wonderful place to visit. Here we shall tell you all you need to know about getting to Yunomine Onsen in this travel guide.
Why Is Yunomine Onsen So Well-Known?
Yunomine Onsen is the place to go if you want to visit the oldest onsen (Tsuboyu) within Japan. It is said that the history of the place dates all the way back to 2,000 or more years.
The hot spring also has the only UNESCO World-Heritage recognition too. It is the only hot spring in the entire world which has this status.
Legend has it that this private bath has immense healing powers brought on by something incredible. The story is told within kabuki plays. However, if you do visit this wonderful onsen, you can access it on a first-come-first-served basis.
You also only get thirty minutes to enjoy the relaxing and healing water. Even so, it is worth it just to say you have been there.
So if you do want to enjoy this old onsen, then get there early to avoid disappointment.
How To Get To Yunomine Onsen?
Because of where Yunomine Onsen is located, you might be unsure of how to get there. It is not the same as planning a trip to somewhere like Tokyo, or even Kyoto.
However, you might be surprised to hear that there are a number of ways to get there from Tokyo. It involves using the bus or train, or even taking a car if you have hired one for your trip.
So, let’s take a look at 6 ways of getting to Yunomine Onsen from Tokyo (do note that times are estimates):
1. Bus
If you have a lot of time on your hands while in Japan, then you can take the cheapest route to Yunomine Onsen which is by going on the bus.
However, this does mean taking out nearly 16 hours of your travel time. If the bus is your best option, then you could always choose the night bus (see below).
However, here is how to get to the oldest onsen by using the bus only:
- At Tokyo Station Yaesu take the bus to Osaka (8 hours 33 minutes)
- Get on the Osaka Station JR Express BT to Tanabe (3 hours 14 minutes)
- Once at Tanabe, take the bus to Yunomine Onsen (1 hour 41 minutes)
Length of time: 15 hours and 28 minutes
2. Train And Bus
One of the easiest ways to get to Yunomine Onsen is by using the train. The public transport system in Japan is one of the best in the world. This means that you are likely to find a way to get from A to B in Japan by using a train or two.
However, just like using the bus, you must expect the journey to take a long time. This means you will want to plan ahead.
- Get on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) in Tokyo (1 hour 37 minutes)
- In Nagoya change to the Ltd Exp Nanki headed for Shingu (3 hours 29 minutes)
- In Shingu Station take the 51 or 53 Kawatake Line bus (57 minutes)
- Once you reach Dainichi-goe Nobori-guchi, walk 25 minutes to Yunomine Onsen
Length of time: 8 hours and 27 minutes
3. Night Bus
If you are wanting to make the most of your time in Japan, then a night bus is a great option. This means that you do not miss out on any of that precious day time.
If you take the bus late evening – say around 9pm – then you could potentially arrive in Yunomine around mid-morning the next day.
Always check with local operators to find out exactly when the night bus runs. The earlier you can go, the earlier you will arrive the following day.
- Take the train from tokyo JR East to Shinjuku (31 minutes)
- If you are already in the area of Shinjuku, take the night bus from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Sanko Shingu (9 hours 37 minutes)
- At Shingu Station take the bus to Yunomine Onsen (1 hour 6 minutes)
Length of time: 13 hours and 21 minutes
4. Drive
One of the quickest ways to get to Yunomine Onsen is by driving. If you are wanting to spend your time in other parts of Japan, and not just Tokyo, then self-driving is a great idea.
You have a lot more freedom with where you want to go. You do not have to rely on public transport, no matter how good it is.
Also, driving is one of the fastest ways to reach Yunomine Onsen. Unlike using the bus, you will not need to keep stopping at bus terminals to pick passengers up.
This one involves following a map to find your way from Tokyo to Yunomine Onsen, Wakayama. It should take just over 6 hours, depending on the traffic conditions.
Length of time: 6 hours and 16 minutes
5. Via Nagoya
If you are visiting Nagoya too, then you can easily get to Yunomine Onsen. The time it takes to get to your destination depends on whether you are spending time in Nagoya, or going the whole way in one go from Tokyo to Yunomine Onsen.
Either way, here is how to get to your final destination in under 11 hours:
- Take the Shinkansen to Nagoya (1 hour 27 minutes)
- Walk 5 minutes from Nagoya Station to Kintetsunagoya and take the Kintetsu Ltd Exp to Yamato Yagi
- Once at Yamato Yagi transfer to Yamato Yagi Bus Station to travel to Yunomine Onsen (5 hours 19 minutes)
Length of time: 10 hours and 27 minutes
6. Fly To Osaka Itami, Train, And Bus
If you want to visit Osaka, you could always fly to that destination first and then make your way to Yunomine Onsen. Here is how to do it:
- From Tokyo take a train to Hamamatsucho (6 minutes)
- Transfer and take the Tokyo Monorail Local/Haneda Express to Haneda Airport Terminal 1 (22 minutes)
- Take the plane to Osaka Itami (ITM) (1 hour 5 minutes)
- Take the bus from Osaka Itami Airport to Shin-Osaka Station (25 minutes)
- Then take the Ltd Exp Kuroshio train to Kiitanabe.
- At this station, transfer to the bus and take the 81 or 85 Kamano Hongu Line to Yunomine Onsen
Length of time: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Final Thoughts
Yunomine Onsen is a remote village surrounded by mountains. It also houses the oldest onsen, which is officially a UNESCO sight.
You can bathe in its hot spring waters, which people like to visit to make the most of its healing properties.
Fortunately, Yunomine Onsen is easy to get to
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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