5 Popular Sauna Hotels in Wakayama, Immersed in Nature
When people think of Wakayama, many imagine a land rich in nature — home to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kumano Kodo, the beaches of Shirahama, and countless hot springs scattered across the region.
In this article, we introduce some of Wakayama’s best saunas where you can stay overnight — from private saunas for couples to historic onsen inns and luxurious hotel spas.
Private Wood-Fired Sauna on the Kumano Kodo — SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA
Along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, you’ll find a private, wood-fired sauna where you chop the logs, light the stove yourself, tune the heat to your liking, and pour as much löyly as you want—KUMANOKO SAUNA at SEN.RETREAT TAKAHARA.
Set in Takahara, a tiny hamlet of about 70 residents, this whole-house rental is a renovated vacant home. The self-service sauna lets you do it all—splitting wood, stoking the fire, pouring steam, and choosing your favorite aroma oils—so you can craft the perfect session. No wonder it’s become a hot topic among sauna lovers.
Aroma oils reflect the best of Wakayama. The cold plunge is a cedar tub made from century-old Kishu cedar, filled with refreshingly cool water flowing down from the mountains—ideal for a deep, restorative cool-down.
After your session, fire up an all-inclusive BBQ, gather around the campfire for a chat, or take a lantern-lit stroll. Settle into an unhurried, nature-soaked evening.
Type of sauna
dry sauna
Löyly
self style
Wearing swimwear
Must
Air bath
likelihood
Food
BBQ of Wakayama Prefecture ingredients
Official website
Access.
Tone in the open air in the forest. Ninomaru Hot Springs
Next up is Kishu Shinobi-no-Yu Ninomaru Onsen.
Here you can enjoy an alkaline simple spring famed as “beautifying water,” an open-air bath overlooking the Yamada River, and a sauna. Cooling off outdoors while listening to the river and surrounded by forest is unbeatable.
In addition to the main building’s sauna, there are two private Finnish saunas—the Waterfall Sauna Hut (Taki no Sauna Koya) and the Forest Sauna Hut (Mori no Sauna Koya)—available for mixed-gender use by reservation. You can pour your own löyly here, and even plunge into the Yamada River’s clear stream as a natural cold bath. These huts also offer a traditional Goemon iron cauldron bath and a fragrant hinoki (Japanese cypress) bath.
And don’t miss the post-sauna eats: the ramen and tsukemen served exclusively at the on-site Strike-Ken Ninomaru Onsen outpost are local favorites. The broth features soy sauce from Yuasa and Arita, where Japan’s soy sauce brewing began. For a flavor kick, add budo sansho (grape pepper), for which Aridagawa Town—home to Ninomaru Onsen—has the highest production in Japan. If you fancy a drink after your session, raise a glass of Ninomaru Onsen Beer.
Type of sauna
dry sauna
Löyly
Main building: none.
Private sauna: self-launched sauna available.
Wearing swimwear
Private sauna is a must.
Air bath
available
Food.
Strike-ken Ramen.
Official website
Access.
〒643-0001 1638-1 Yamada, Yuasa-cho, Arita-gun, Wakayama
Ryokan Azumaya: Japan’s Oldest Mist Sauna Powered by a 90°C Spring
Yunomine Onsen is a hot spring town along the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Kumano Kodo. Here, you can enjoy a mist sauna said to be the oldest in Japan. It’s just a one-minute walk from the Yunomine Onsen bus stop.
The rich scent of sulfur blends with the aroma rising from tubs made of maki (Japanese yew) wood, soothing both body and mind. Thanks to an on-site private spring source nearby, the hot spring water is exceptionally fresh. Although the source emerges at around 90°C, it’s cooled naturally to a comfortable bathing temperature without dilution. Because the source is so close, that high-temperature water can also be used directly for the mist sauna—something only a handful of facilities in Japan can offer. The high-heat mist is even praised by visitors for soothing sore throats.
For dinner at the ryokan, you can savor Kumano beef shabu-shabu, and for breakfast, rice porridge prepared with hot spring water. In this region, it’s long been customary to boil ingredients using the onsen—an indulgent way to enjoy the springs through food as well.
The men’s and women’s baths swap at midnight, so be sure to try both saunas. And don’t forget to visit Tsuboyu, the nearby World Heritage–listed bath.
Type of sauna
steam sauna
Löyly
None
Wearing swimwear
not required.
Air bath
None
Food.
Kumano beef shabushabu
rice gruel served in temples with hot spring water
Official website
Access.
122 Yumine, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture
The alternating baths with the iron-containing carbonic acid spring are irresistible!Hanayama Onsen Yakushi no Yu
Hanayama Onsen Yakushi no Yu is renowned for its ultra-high-concentration natural carbonated spring and a comfortable steam sauna—popular with many athletes. Bath options are plentiful: a 26°C source bath, a 41.5°C large indoor bath, a 38°C lukewarm bath, a 40°C open-air bath, and an 18°C cold plunge. Enjoy contrast bathing by rotating through different temperatures with sauna sessions in between.
Soaking in the carbonated spring is said to boost blood flow by about five to seven times, which may help lower blood pressure and promote metabolism. The sauna is praised for warming you gently to the core, and after your session you can cool down in the open air.
There’s also a courtesy bus from Wakayama Station—perfect if you’d like to enjoy a post-bath drink.
Type of sauna
steam sauna
Löyly
None
Wearing swimwear
None.
Air bath
available
Food.
Dishes with Kumano beef, seafood and mountain produce, and kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot).
Official website
Access.
574 Narukami, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
Trailer sauna for hotel guests only, with spectacular views!Siossai Terrace (Resort in the Sky: Four Seasons)
Perched on a hilltop, Shiosai Terrace—the glamping area of Tenku no Resort Shiki—features a sauna trailer with sweeping ocean views. An authentic Finnish sauna with a wood-burning stove pairs with a sea-view cold plunge, and gentle aromatic steam wraps around you.
Exclusively for overnight guests, this rare setup is a thrill for sauna-goers. Take in the panorama through the sauna window, then, once you’re fully refreshed, enjoy French cuisine and hot pots showcasing seasonal ingredients at the on-site restaurant—or fire up a BBQ.
After your session, you can also unwind in the property’s large public bath, Siosai Spa.
Type of sauna
Dry sauna
Löyly
self style
Wearing swimwear
Must
Air bath
available
Food.
BBQ
Official website
https://shikinosato-yuraku.net/
Access.
〒649-2201 2399-3, Kata, Shirahama-cho, Nishimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Couples! With family! With friends! Enjoy the saunas of Wakayama!
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the best saunas in Wakayama where you can stay overnight—from private saunas couples can enjoy together to glamping sites with lively, social sauna setups.
Each spot is packed with thoughtful touches to delight sauna-goers. Find the one that fits your style and enjoy your next sauna session!
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