Winter vacation for adults to heal both body and soul. Five Famous Hot Springs and Winter Activities in Nagato, Yamaguchi

I want to spend an "adult winter vacation" where my mind and body can slowly unwind."

For those seeking such a winter trip, Nagato City in Yamaguchi Prefecture is a good choice.

Nagato City is home to numerous famous hot springs that soothe both body and soul, as well as a variety of nature walks and seasonal activities that can be enjoyed in the clear winter air.

Nagato City, with its special winter offerings, is a destination for adults seeking tranquility and healing.

In this article, we will show you how to enjoy winter in such a city of Nagato.

Winter Travel Attractions in Nagato

In winter, Nagato City is an attractive travel destination because of its relatively low snowfall and pleasant climate.

Visitors can also enjoy beautiful winter scenery such as the "Maritime Alps," a series of oddly shaped rocks on the Sea of Japan, and the traditional townscape of a hot spring resort.

In addition, you can enjoy local winter delicacies such as fugu (blowfish), anglerfish, and yellowtail, and warm your body in a relaxing hot spring bath, so you can enjoy a fulfilling trip that satisfies all five senses.

Warm your body and soul! Five Famous Nagato Hot Springs to Visit in Winter

Nagato Five Famous Hot Springs" refers to the five hot spring resorts in Nagato.

All are alkaline simple hot springs, known throughout Japan as "beauty baths" that smooth the skin.

Each of the five Nagato Meiyu hot springs has its own unique character, and the distances between them are short, making them easy to visit and thus highly popular as travel destinations for adults.

Here we introduce each of Nagato's five famous hot springs, perfect for an adult winter vacation.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen

Nagato Yumoto Onsen" is a representative hot spring resort in Nagato with a history of approximately 600 years.

The water is clear and colorless, and although the spring water is lukewarm, it warms the body from the core and is said to be effective in relieving neuralgia, muscular pain, and fatigue.

In particular, at Onyu, the symbolic stopover hot spring in the hot spring resort, visitors can watch the spring water gush out right in front of their eyes and experience "fresh" hot spring water that has not been exposed to the air and has not been oxidized.

Recent renovations have enhanced the cafes and inns, and the area is also attracting attention as an "osoto-temple" where visitors can enjoy strolling around the hot spring resort.

Tawarayama Onsen

Photo by: Koichi(@Kfish1882)/Cooperation: NICO STOP

Tawarayama Onsen is another historic therapeutic hot spring located in the mountains south of Nagato City.

The spring is an alkaline simple spring with a pH of 9.8, known for its effectiveness in beautifying the skin and as a famous hot spring that attracts visitors from all over Japan for its therapeutic properties.

The "out-spa culture," in which inns do not have their own bathhouses but use bathing facilities such as "Machinoyu" and "Shirasaru no Yu" remains strong, and visitors can enjoy touring the hot springs while strolling through the retro streets of the town.

You can also enjoy soba noodles and gibier dishes made with local ingredients, and relax and enjoy a time that will heal both body and soul.

Aburaya Bay Hot Spring

Aburaya Bay Hot Spring is located on a hill overlooking the beautiful sea of Aburaya Bay in the Aburaya district on the west side of Nagato City.

The spring is an alkaline simple hot spring with a pH of 9.6, which is gentle on the skin and is expected to have a beautifying effect on the skin as a "mild and beautiful hot spring.

In addition to the hot springs, visitors can also enjoy a scenic drive, visit Motonosumi Shrine, and enjoy seafood, making it a luxurious place to enjoy the ocean and hot springs to the fullest.

Yumen Onsen

Yumen Onsen is located in the Misumi district on the east side of Nagato City, and is said to have been discovered by Kobo Daishi, a great Buddhist priest who had a dream.

It is a simple hot spring containing a large amount of radium and is known for its excellent effects on neuralgia and skin diseases as well as for beautifying the skin.

Surrounded by tranquil rural scenery, the Yumen Fureai Center, a bathing facility well known by the locals, and the Yumen Kanko Hotel Meoyu Yume no Sato are located here.

Cultural facilities such as the Yasuo Kouzuki Museum of Art and the Seifu Murata Memorial Museum are also located nearby, making it a popular healing spot where visitors can enjoy hot springs, art, and historical strolls.

Kohado Onsen

Kohado Onsen is a hot spring resort located on a hill in Nagato City, offering an open-air view of Aomi Island, Fukagawa Bay, and the Japan Sea.

The spring is an alkaline simple hot spring, effective for neuralgia and digestive diseases, and gentle on the skin, making it popular with people of all ages.

From the open-air baths, you can view the sunset and fishing fires at night, and enjoy a quiet moment to refresh your body and mind while being surrounded by the beauty of nature and the sea.

Quietly enjoy the charms of Nagato City! 2 Winter Activities

In addition to hot spring resorts that warm both body and soul, Nagato City offers a wide variety of activities that allow visitors to enjoy their own time away from the hustle and bustle, such as walks in the clear air to experience the beauty of nature and relaxing experiences to prepare the mind.

Here are two recommended winter activities that offer a quiet taste of what Nagato City has to offer.

Those who wish to avoid the peak tourist season and enjoy the unique winter attractions in a serene environment are encouraged to take a look.

cycling

In Nagato City, where the weather is relatively mild even in winter, cycling is a popular way to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the coast.

If you set up a course with a theme of your choice, such as visiting the streets of Senzaki or places associated with Misuzu Kaneko, you can enjoy not only cycling but also gourmet food and sightseeing spots together.

Bicycles can be rented at some tourist facilities such as Senza Kitchen, a roadside station, making it easy for travelers visiting from far away to try their hand.

Please check out the following article for recommended cycling courses if you are interested.

cycling in Nagato

nature walk

Due to volcanic activity in ancient times and the rough seas of the Sea of Japan, Qinghai Island has many strange and monstrous rocks such as caves, precipitous cliffs, and stone pillars floating in the sea. The island is called the "Maritime Alps," and can be viewed from land on the "Cheokaijima Nature Study Path.

The "Qinghai Island Nature Study Route" is a place where visitors can enjoy the sparkling blue sea in the summer, but its beauty in winter is also exceptional. The northerly winds bring white waves, creating a wild "maritime alps" scene.

Japanese painter Kaii Higashiyama created a large mural painting, "Tide of Morning Dawn," said to be modeled on the scenery of Qinghai Island, in the Imperial Palace's Chowadono Nami no Ma, and the Qinghai Island Nature Study Path in winter offers a true taste of the world of Japanese painting.

Omijima Island Nature Study Route

Recommended winter events in Nagato City for 2025~2026

In Nagato City, many seasonal events are held to take advantage of the rich nature and traditional townscape.

Winter is no exception, and you can enjoy a more romantic moment by combining it with your travel plans.

Here are two recommended winter events that you should check out if you visit Nagato City in the winter of 2025-2026.

Onshin River Uta Akari

Otoshinagawa Utaakari" is a fantastic lighting event held every winter in Nagato Yumoto hot spring resort area. This year, the event will be held from January 16 (Fri.) to March 8 (Sun.), 026.

The theme of the festival is based on a poem by Nagato City-born children's poet Misuzu Kaneko, and the "Phantom Light Dance," a performance interweaving light and sound, and "light vessels" created by children in the city will gently illuminate the hot spring resort area.

The historic hot spring resort will be romantically decorated, making it a perfect event for winter travelers to enjoy in combination with hot springs and gourmet food.

→Ontoshin River Utaakari official website

summary

In this article, we introduced hot spring resorts and activities in Nagato City that are perfect for adult winter travelers.

Winter in Nagato City is pleasant, and visitors can enjoy gourmet foods and beautiful scenery unique to winter.

If you are looking for a different kind of quiet time to rest your mind and body, why not visit Nagato City?