[Nara] Cleanse your soul at Dorogawa Onsen in Tenkawa onsen. 7 recommended ryokan for solo travelers
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When things don't go well in the midst of a busy day, it can be distracting and draining both physically and mentally. Rather than staying cooped up in your room and feeling frustrated, head to a quiet place far away from the city. Dorogawa onsen in Tenkawa Village, Nara, is the gateway to Mount Omine, a sacred place of Shugendo, and is the perfect place to calm your troubled mind. Here, we have picked out some relaxing Japanese-style ryokan in Dorogawa onsen where you can enjoy a solo trip for girls.
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You work hard every day, but something just isn't going well. You only notice the success of those around you and your heart is unsettled. When that happens, it's a good idea to get away from the city, your daily life, and the people around you and be alone. If you're looking for a solo trip to a place rich in nature where you can take a good look at yourself, we recommend Dorogawa onsen in Tenkawa Village, Nara. The quiet environment will soothe you, and your true self will return to you as you relax.
Dorogawa onsen, located at an altitude of about 820m, is a summer resort also known as the "Karuizawa of Kansai." As it is located at the entrance to Mt. Omine, a sacred place of Shugendo, this onsen town has flourished as a lodging place for ascetics (those who practice Shugendo) since ancient times. The townscape lined with long-established ryokan has a nostalgic atmosphere. You can stroll around in a yukata robes and enjoy cuisine made with Dorogawa's famous water, "Gorogoro-mizu." You can relax and enjoy some time alone.
onsen of Dorogawa are said to have soothed ascetics on their way to Mt. Omine for training. ryokan lining onsen town each have their own unique baths, and there are also paid onsen facilities all around town. Having fun with friends on a trip is great, but if you're traveling alone, a quiet onsen is the best. It seems that soaking alone in the hot water purifies both the body and the mind. Here, we will introduce onsen ryokan in Dorogawa that are perfect for solo female travelers.
Iroha ryokan is a traditional wooden ryokan with a unique atmosphere. It is a historic inn where ascetic monks of mountain asceticism stayed. The guest rooms are beautifully furnished, making use of the pillars, floors, and shoji screens that have stood the test of time. There are compact 6-tatami Japanese-style rooms and spacious 8-tatami x 8-tatami rooms. In the winter, you can relax in a kotatsu.
The cuisine is a multi-course meal using wild boar and duck meat, seasonal vegetables, tofu, and river fish. The food is full of nutritious flavors from the fertile mountains, and is healthy yet powerful. The proprietress' special dishes, which use Yoshino kuzu from Rigendo, are also popular. You can also enjoy the taste of Yoshino with dishes such as sesame tofu and kuzu mochi.
A large public bath that you'll want to soak in many times a day. It draws water from Dorogawa onsen, and is said to be effective against arthritis, neuralgia, and chronic digestive diseases. It warms your body from the inside out, and relieves your daily fatigue. After soaking in onsen you can relax in the Japanese-style room. By the time you return home, your body may feel refreshed and light.
Detailed information
Dorogawa onsen Iroha ryokan (Nara)
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 248 Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- From Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi Station, take the Nara Kotsu bus (bound for Dorogawa onsen) to the last stop
Kinokuniya Jinpachi is a 300-year-old ryokan located in the center of Dorogawa onsen. Sitting on the long veranda and looking out at the retro streetscape of onsen town, you can relax and feel at ease. Check-out is at 12 o'clock, so you can take your time in the morning. Once you've finished getting ready, we recommend taking a walk around the inn. You'll want to enjoy the free time that comes with traveling alone, without being rushed by time.
The main building has a retro and stately atmosphere reminiscent of an Edo-period inn, while the Hanare is a purely Japanese hideaway. Both have rooms of various sizes, from 8 tatami mats to 50 tatami mats. It feels great to lie down on the tatami mats while feeling the nature of Dorogawa so close by. In winter, a kotatsu is placed, making you feel like you're at grandma's house.
The bath is an open-air garden bath facing the garden. There is nothing more relaxing than bathing while feeling the scent of nature close by. Men and women alternate between 16:00 and 19:00 for 90 minutes, and if it is available outside of that time, you can hang up a "private" sign and use it privately. Since you are traveling alone, you want to enjoy the bath at your own pace without having to worry about anyone else.
Dorogawa's "Gorogoro Water" has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters. This ryokan 's specialty dish is "Meisui Yudofu" (Famous Water Hot Tofu), which uses this famous water. If you order a course meal, you can enjoy plenty of locally caught river fish and mountain delicacies. Of course, everything from rice and miso soup to tea and coffee uses "Gorogoro Water," so they're all delicious.
Detailed information
Tenkawa Dorogawa onsen onsen Famous Water Gokinosato Ryokan ryokan Jinpachi
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 222-1 Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- 80 minutes by Nara Kotsu bus (towards Dorogawa onsen) from Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi Station.
Detailed information
Jinpachi Kinokuniya
Tenkawa Village Other / ryokan and guesthouses
- The average budget
- ¥15,000~¥19,999
- address
- 222-1, Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- business hours
- ■ Business hours [meal for overnight guests] 7:00- 18:00- [Check-in/check-out] 12:00-12:00 the following day ■ Closed days Irregular holidays
Dorogawa onsen Kakujin is a long-established ryokan with 330 years of history. It was founded for ascetics heading to Mt. Omine, and is the only inn in Dorogawa that has rooms with open-air hot onsen baths. In summer, you can enjoy the cool evening air on the veranda. It's also nice to enjoy the atmosphere alone in a colorful yukata. In winter, why not relax by the hearth, thinking about your plans for the next day or reading a book?
There are two guest rooms with open-air onsen baths. This is the cypress bath in the other room, "Momo no Ma." The luxury of having the open-air hot onsen bath all to yourself while watching the nature of the four seasons. It's nice to be able to bathe as much as you like, whenever you like, 24 hours a day. Of course, there are baths and private open-air onsen baths available to all guests, so even if you don't have a room with a bath, you can still enjoy onsen to your heart's content.
source:Contribution of Wasabi ♥
"Meisui Tofu" is made using "Gorogoro Water", which has been selected as one of the 100 famous waters in Japan. If you are a woman who is concerned about beauty and dieting every day and wants to eat as healthy as possible while traveling, we recommend this tofu-based meal. In addition, wild game dishes such as wild boar hotpot, duck hotpot, and seared venison, as well as river fish such as sweetfish and char are also excellent. Since you are traveling, you want to regain your energy by eating things that can only be eaten here.
Detailed information
onsen
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 240 Dorogawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- About 80 minutes by Nara Kotsu Bus from Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi Station. 40 minutes by taxi. About 70 minutes by car from the Kashihara terminus on the Minamihanna Road.
Masugen Ryokan is a two-story onsen ryokan built of solid wood that blends in perfectly with the charming townscape of Dorogawa onsen. It has its own grounds and a barbecue area, and is popular with young people who come here for training camps in the summer. Once you've checked in and have a breather, you can rent a bicycle (for a fee) and head out into the nature of Dorogawa! Take a deep breath of the clear air and enjoy a leisurely cycle ride by yourself.
All guest rooms are Japanese-style rooms, with a nostalgic atmosphere. From the windows you can see the lush nature of Dorogawa, refreshing your tired body and mind. In the fall, there are rooms where you can enjoy viewing the autumn leaves without leaving your room. Wi-Fi is available, so you can gather tourist information online and upload travel photos to social media. Enjoy spending time alone!
The baths at Masugen ryokan are 100% natural onsen. They are colorless and transparent alkaline onsen. They are said to be effective for neuralgia and muscle pain, as well as fatigue recovery and health promotion. Stretch out your arms and legs in the spacious bathtub and relax as you enjoy onsen, and your fatigue will melt away. The baths are open 24 hours a day, so you can take a bath at any time! It's also nice to get up early and take a morning bath.
For dinner, you can enjoy local ingredients such as sukiyaki and a banquet using Nara's Wagyu beef and salt-grilled rock trout! Breakfast is a stomach-friendly Japanese set meal. The sweet and sour rainbow trout, which you can eat even down to the bone, is a taste that you can only get on a trip.
Detailed information
onsen Masugen ryokan
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 189 Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- Take a bus bound for Dorogawa onsen from Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line. By car: Route 169 to Route 309. The World Heritage sites of Mount Koya and the Kumano Kodo are also within 120 minutes.
Hanaakari no Yado Yanagiya is one of the few Yanagiya Ryokan in Dorogawa onsen that uses natural hot spring water. It is a traditional Japanese ryokan, with seasonal flowers arranged throughout the building, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Next to the annex is the Kakimochi Workshop, which also has a shop. The carefully crafted kakimochi and kiriko (dice mochi cut into cubes and deep-fried) make great souvenirs.
The inn has a hearth handcrafted by the owner that can be used as a place to meal and relax. The Irori-yaki Kaiseki meal around the hearth is limited to two groups per day. This is an experience that is hard to find in the city, so don't forget to make a reservation. People naturally gather around the hearth, so you won't feel lonely even if you're traveling alone! Chatting with other guests will also be a memorable part of your trip.
The charm of Hanaakari no Yado Yanagiya Ryokan is onsen that flows directly from the source. In the semi-open-air bath, you can hear the babbling of the river. It's a great way to forget about your busy days and relax. There are bath times in the morning too, so you can take a morning bath. Tofu is a specialty of Dorogawa onsen, so the shampoo and conditioner are made with soy milk. It's full of nutrients and may give you shiny hair.
For dinner, we serve kaiseki cuisine made with luxurious locally produced ingredients. It's fun to eat a little bit of everything. Hotpot dishes such as local chicken hotpot, wild boar hotpot, and duck hotpot are also popular. For breakfast, we serve miso soup made with our own miso and freshly cooked rice. It's so delicious that you'll want seconds.
Detailed information
Dorogawa onsen Hanaakari no Yado Yanagiya Ryokan
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 489-9 Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- From Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, take the bus bound for Dorogawa onsen to the last stop (approximately 78 minutes), then walk for 8 minutes
source:Contribution of Sugular
Koryokuen Nishisei is a traditional Japanese ryokan with a panoramic view of the sacred mountain, Mt. Omine. The historic sukiya-style building offers a relaxing atmosphere. The inn is proud of its beautiful garden. The flowers and trees change appearance with the seasons, welcoming all visitors. It's nice to be able to stroll through the garden by yourself after a bath or early in the morning.
The guest rooms are Japanese-style rooms with a sukiya-style design that gives off the scent of wood. Every room has a wide veranda where you can relax while looking at the scenery outside. There are rooms with a view of the sacred mountain Omine, rooms where you can enjoy the nostalgic townscape of Dorogawa onsen, and rooms with a bathroom and toilet, so you can choose the room that suits your taste.
source:Contribution of Sugular
The visually stunning cuisine at Koryokuen Nishisei is packed with local specialties. From the hearty steak set, tofu made with the famous Gorogoro-sui water, river fish such as amago and trout, juicy Yamato chicken, melt-in-your-mouth fatty konnyaku, and high-quality wild boar meat, you'll be able to experience the bounty of the season no matter what time of year you visit.
Detailed information
onsen Onsen Koryokuen Nishisei
Nara / ryokan
- address
- 257 Togawa, Tenkawa Village, Yoshino District Nara
- access
- Get off at Shimoichiguchi Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, then take the Nara Kotsu bus bound for Dorogawa onsen for 90 minutes (electric vehicle charging available)
Yoshinoso Yukawaya is a wooden Yoshino-style inn located on the slopes of Mount Yoshino, a World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Site, Kinpusenji Zaodo Hall, is about a five-minute walk from the inn. From the guest rooms, you can see the trees of Mount Yoshino, and in season you can see the autumn leaves and cherry blossoms. In addition to standard rooms, there are also luxury rooms. The rooms come with an open-air bath, making for a luxurious bath.
For dinner, you can enjoy mountain banquet cuisine. It is a nutritious meal made with Yoshino kuzu and fresh local ingredients from Yoshino. Yoshino kuzu is made from kuzu roots that grow wild in the mountains and fields of the Yoshino region of Nara, and is made into kuzu starch. It is characterized by its chewy and sticky texture, and its thick texture is also delicious. For breakfast, you can enjoy "Yoshino tea porridge". Enjoy it with pickles handmade by the proprietress.
The large public bath is made of Yoshino wood. If you're lucky, you may be able to see a sea of clouds from the open-air bath. At night, you can see a sky full of stars. After the bath, cool down in the bath lounge.
Detailed information
World Heritage Site Mount Yoshino Yoshinoso Yukawaya
Nara / Yoshino/ ryokan
- address
- 440 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun Nara
- access
- 90 minutes by car from Osaka Umeda Station. If you take the train, get off at the Yoshinoyama Ropeway at Kintetsu Yoshino Station and then walk for about 10 minutes.
A holiday where you can relax in the sacred atmosphere of the gateway to Mount Omine, a sacred place of Shugendo, and the soft, warm waters. Enjoy the delicious food that can only be found in this place, and feel purified in both body and mind. A solo trip where you can spend some quiet time at your own pace is the best reward for yourself after working hard every day. Why not visit Dorogawa onsen in Nara, where you can enjoy a wonderful time?