Japan Travel: Onsen and the Sea at Katsuura, Wakayama 09

Japan Travel: Onsen and the Sea at Katsuura, Wakayama 09

Visitors to Katsuura, a town on the southeastern coast of the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture, will be in for treat. This town is best known for its onsen (hot springs) and its fishing industry.

As an onsen resort town along the sea, Katsuura is characterized by several hotels dotting the coastline. The onsen hotels house restaurants, shops, numerous onsen baths, karaoke establishments as well as bars, izakaya, and so much more. There are several walking trails as well as places to explore.

Of the many onsen hotels, the Urashima Hotel and Nakanoshima Hotel are especially famous for their unique baths. Both hotels can only be accessed via boats and have unique baths. Urashima Hotel owns the Bokido Bath, a bath inside a cave. Nakanoshima Hotel is located on its own private island. Nakanoshima Hotel’s outdoor baths have the most spectacular views of the sea and coast. Visitors not spending the night at the hotel can experience both baths, as both hotels allow non-staying guests to use the baths for a small fee.