Dorogawa Onsen

In short

Dorogawa Onsen is a hot spring town nestled in the mountains at an elevation of about 820 meters in the eastern part of Tenkawa Village. It flourished alongside the rise of Shugendo as a base for pilgrims climbing Mt. Omine, and a townscape with a nostalgic atmosphere remains today. The mildly alkaline simple thermal waters have long relieved the fatigue of those ascending Mt. Omine.

• ​Ryokan Verandas​​: The open engawa (verandas) were designed so that many yamabushi (mountain ascetics) could enter the ryokan at once.
• ​Daranisuke​​: A traditional herbal medicine regarded as a secret remedy of ascetic practitioners; many signs for Daranisuke can be seen throughout the town.
• ​Famous Spring Waters​​: Waters spring forth from the Dorogawa Springs, selected among the Ministry of the Environment's 100 Exquisite Waters of Japan.

History and Highlights

Dorogawa Onsen is a mountain village located in the eastern part of Tenkawa Village. Situated at a high altitude of about 820 meters, it is surrounded by the Omine mountains, which range from 1,000 to 2,000 meters, making the temperature 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than that of the Nara Basin.

The hot spring town has flourished as a base for climbing related to the Omine faith, along with the rise of Shugendo. It is also said to be the village of the descendants of Goki, an ogre attendant who served En no Gyoja. Ryokan, minshuku (guesthouses), souvenir shops, and shops selling Daranisuke line the streets, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere.

Daranisuke is a traditional herbal medicine long regarded as a secret remedy of ascetic practitioners. It is said to have originated when En no Gyoja fell ill with stomach trouble during his ascetic training and cured it by putting the bark of kihada (Amur cork tree) in his mouth. The name is said to come from the practice of monks putting it in their mouths to prevent drowsiness while chanting the long Buddhist chants known as dharani.

The spring water is a mildly alkaline simple thermal spring, which has soothed the fatigue of climbers scaling Mt. Omine.

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Ryokan Verandas and Conch Horns​​: The verandas of the ryokan are wide open so that large groups of yamabushi can step inside at the same time. During the climbing season when Mt. Omine is open, the sound of the conch horn blown by guide ascetics echoes through the town, and visitors can also see groups dressed in white entering the mountain.
• ​Lantern-Lit Nights​​: When night falls, lanterns are lit, giving the town a magical atmosphere distinct from the daytime. It is also pleasant to take a leisurely stroll through the hot spring town in a yukata (light cotton kimono).
• ​Dorogawa Springs​​: Composed of three natural springs—Gorogoro-mizu, Izumi-no-mori, and Shinsendo—it has been selected among the 100 Exquisite Waters of Japan by the Ministry of the Environment. The name "Gorogoro-mizu" is said to derive from the rumbling sound of pure water flowing out as if pebbles were tumbling from deep within the cave. Shinsendo is on private property and cannot be entered.

Walking Tips

When traveling by train and bus, take the Nara Kotsu bus bound for Dorogawa Onsen from Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi Station, and it takes about 70 minutes to the final stop, Dorogawa Onsen. By car, travel via Tenkawa-Kawai on National Route 309. Be careful, as some car navigation systems may direct you via the narrow and difficult-to-pass route over Kominami Pass.

At the entrance of the hot spring town is the Dorogawa Onsen Visitor Center, where you can bathe in indoor and open-air baths housed in a building made with Yoshino cedar.

The town and its surroundings can be explored on foot. It is about a 15-minute walk from the Dorogawa Onsen Tourist Information Center to Menfudo Limestone Cave. The cave is situated on high ground offering a panoramic view of the town of Dorogawa. Ominesan-ji Temple, located at the summit of Mt. Sanjogatake, is about 5.8 kilometers to the east-southeast.