Stone lanterns line the temple's approach. (Photo: Tomoko Kamishima)

Fountainhead of Nikko Yumoto Onsen

Under the Protection of Onsen-ji Temple for 1200 years

Tomoko Kamishima   - 1 min read

It is said that Priest Shodo who discovered most of the inner Nikko area also discovered a fountainhead in Yumoto in 788. He set up a Healing Buddha statue here and named the hot spring “Yakushi-to (hot water from Healing Buddha). During the Edo period the hot spring was managed by Rin-no-ji Temple and only those who got permission from the administrator could use the bath. Standing on the grounds of this fountainhead, we can feel the solemn air and power of the earth at the same time.

Tomoko Kamishima

Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...