Yumoto (湯元, literally "origin of hot water") is a small hot spring town in the back of Okunikko and part of Nikko National Park. The town is attractively located next to Lake Yunoko (lit. "hot water lake") and consists mainly of ryokan with hot spring baths.

North of the town stands Onsenji, a Buddhist temple with a small hot spring bath open to the public. Next to the temple is Yunodaira Marsh, where a lot of the town's hot water bubbles up from the ground. Some hot water is also bubbling along the northern shore of Lake Yunoko, and a pleasant sulfur odor hangs over the whole town.

Immediately south of Lake Yunoko, the lake's calm waters suddenly plunge down a steep, 70 meter high slope. The spectacular waterfall is called Yudaki (lit. "hot water waterfall"), but the water of neither the lake nor the waterfall are actually warm.

From Yudaki starts the attractive Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail, leading along Yukawa River (lit. "hot water river") through the woods and across the marshland of the Senjogahara Plateau to Ryuzu Waterfall at the shores of Lake Chuzenji.

Autumn colors around Yumoto Onsen are usually best around mid October.

Getting there and around

Yumoto Onsen is connected with central Nikko by Tobu buses. Buses leave from Tobu Nikko Station (many also serve JR Nikko Station) and are bound for Yumoto Onsen. There are 1-2 buses per hour. The one way trip from Tobu Nikko Station to Yumoto Onsen takes about 80 minutes, costs 1950 yen and 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.

Note that during the autumn leaf season in October, traffic between central Nikko and Yumoto Onsen can be very heavy, and buses can incur heavy delays, especially on weekends. If possible, try to visit during the week and not on weekends.

How to get to and around Nikko

Hotels around Nikko

    • Kamenoi Hotel Okunikko
      A hotel surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and mountains in Okunikko. Warm up at a famous onsen with 1200 years of history and explore the nearby Toshogu Shrine World Heritage site.
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    • B&B Izumi Nikko
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nikko and only 2.4 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, B&B Izumi Nikko provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 2-star bed and breakfast features river views and is 3.8 km from Tobu Nikko Station. Every room comes with a balcony. Certain units in the bed and breakfast have private entrance and are fitted with desk and outdoor furniture. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a walk-in shower and slippers, the units at the bed and breakfast have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the bed and breakfast, all units have bed linen and towels. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Popular points of interest near the bed and breakfast include Rinno-ji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. Ibaraki Airport is 121 km away.
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    • Sanga Nikko
      Mid-range
      Located in Nikko, 2.1 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Sanga Nikko provides rooms with free WiFi access. The property is set 10 km from Kegon Falls and 22 km from Nikk?-kokuritsu-k?en. Nikko Station and Tobu-Nikko Station are within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is equipped with two private bathrooms. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing. A supermarket is situated within a 5-minute walk from the property. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Rinnoji Temple and Shinkyo Bridge. Futarasan Shrine is 2.2 km from the property, while Chuzenji Lake is 12 km away.
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    • Stay Nikko Guesthouse
      Mid-range
      Featuring free WiFi, Stay Nikko Guesthouse offers accommodation in Nikko. Nikko Station on the Tobu and JR lines can be reached within a 13-minute walk. Free private parking is available on site. Every room at this guest house is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Views of the mountains, river or garden are featured in certain rooms. Guests will find a microwave, toaster and kettle on site. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a 20-minute stroll from Stay Nikko Guesthouse, while Kegon Falls is a 50-minute bus ride from the property.
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    • Honke Bankyu
      Luxury
      Established in 1666, Honke Bankyu is housed in a registered historical building. The Japanese rooms feature traditional decor, futon bedding and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has 5 hot-spring baths and serves local specialities for dinner. Shoji paper screens, tatami (woven-straw) floors and views of greenery add to the zen flavour of each air-conditioned room. A yukata robe is provided. All rooms have a private toilet, and some rooms have a private bathroom. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Yunishikawa-Onsen Train Station. Heike Village Museum is just a 10-minute walk away. Ryuokyo Canyon is a 40-minute drive, and Nikko Toshugu Shrine is 50 km away. A private hot-spring bath can be reserved, for a fee. You can relax at the library, take a stroll in the garden or browse the unique items in the gift shop. Japanese style breakfast and set-menu dinner are served at the hotel’s dining room.
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    • Okunikko Guesthouse JUN
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Nikko and only 1.1 km from Kegon Falls, Okunikko Guesthouse JUN provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The 1-star guest house features lake views and is 16 km from Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km from the guest house, while Nikko Station is 18 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Hanaan
      Mid-range
      Located in Nikko, near Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake and Nikko Futarasan-Jinja Nantaisan Okumiya, Hotel Hanaan features an open-air bath. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy lake views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units are equipped with heating facilities. An Asian breakfast is available at the ryokan. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 15 km from Hotel Hanaan, while Tobu Nikko Station is 17 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 133 km from the property.
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    • Nikko Guesthouse Sumica
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Nikko Guesthouse Sumica is located in Nikko, 300 metres from Nikko Station and 300 metres from Tobu Nikko Station. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a tour desk for guests. At the guest house, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.7 km from the guest house, while Kegon Falls is 20 km away. Ibaraki Airport is 117 km from the property.
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    • Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage
      Mid-range
      Homely rooms with mountain views, free Wi-Fi and a private bath await guests at Villa Revage, 350 metres from Nikko Botanical Garden. It is completely non-smoking, and free private parking is available on site. Rooms at Nikko Akarinoyado Villa Revage are heated and come with simple furnishings and art on the walls. An LCD satellite TV is included. Both a hairdryer and toiletries are provided. You can relax on the sun terrace, enjoy the garden or unwind in one of the private reservable baths. The hotel is 4 km from JR Nikko Train Station and Tobu Nikko Train Station. Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is 800 metres away, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2 km away.
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    • Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko
      Mid-range
      Set in Nikko, within 1.8 km of Tobu Nikko Station and 2 km of Nikko Station, Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko offers accommodation with a terrace and as well as free private parking for guests who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and free shuttle service for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is 2.4 km from Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko, while Kegon Falls is 20 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 119 km away.
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    • Nikko Beans Hotel
      Mid-range
      Nikko Beans Hotel is set in Nikko, within 16 km of Nikko Toshogu Shrine and 18 km of Tobu Nikko Station. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kegon Falls. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms in Nikko Beans Hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. The accommodation offers an American or Asian breakfast. Nikko Station is 19 km from Nikko Beans Hotel, while Chuzenji Lake is less than 1 km from the property. Ibaraki Airport is 130 km away.
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Experiences around Nikko

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