Like many historic onsen towns, the town of Nagato Yumoto Onsen was built up around their iconic public onsen bathhouse ONTO. Said to be the oldest in all of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the building is built directly above the hot spring source, which makes it one of the rare places for visitors to actually enjoy the onsen water directly, and see it gushing out of the bedrock. Onto is also unusual as its bath is quite deep, being a ‘standing’ onsen bath where the bath area is 1-metre deep, rather than the typical 50-60cm depth, which is said to help promote blood circulation as it applies water pressure to the whole body and reduces swelling and poor circulation.
Celebrating its strong historical ties to the local temple, shrine and folklore legend, a shimenawa (holy straw rope) separates the onsen pools from the bedrock, whilst a stone statue of Sumiyoshi Daimyojin is enshrined, where its visible from both men’s and women’s sides.
The onsen waters of Nagato Yumoto Onsen are a simple alkaline hot spring (pH 9.62) that is silky and soft; due to its high pH it can be classified as a “bijin no yu” (onsen for beautiful skin). Onto’s water temperature is slightly lukewarm at 39 degrees celsius.
Motoyu, the origin of Nagato Yumoto Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Yamaguchi Prefecture with a history of 600 years. Please experience the mysterious hot water that has been gushing from ancient times.
The newly renovated Onto features a single-story design that embodies the traditional Japanese aesthetic, with a rustic charm created by the abundant use of wood. This design is the work of Shohei Oka, known for his architecture at Busshozan Onsen. The public space seamlessly connects Sumiyoshi Shrine, which sits atop the hill, Onto, and the Otozure River, creating a new landscape in Nagato Yumoto where both tourists and locals can enjoy together.
At Onto, we offer exclusive Goshuin paper(*) related to the legend of “Shinju no Yu.” You can receive these special Goshuin stamps at Taineiji Temple in Nagato City and Sumiyoshi Shrine in Shimonoseki City. (*Goshuin paper is a special type of paper used to receive temple or shrine stamps, known as “Goshuin.” These stamps are often collected by visitors as a form of pilgrimage record or spiritual souvenir. Each stamp is unique to the temple or shrine and usually includes beautiful calligraphy and the date of the visit.)
At Onto, we offer a unique high-concentration bathing liquid called “Craft Onsen Beverage,” created using the patented technology of Le Furo Co., Ltd. This special drink is made from real onsen water, extracting mineral components to their fullest extent. Don’t miss the chance to experience “Drinking Onsen Onyu” for yourself!