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What is Nanki-Katsuura Onsen Bokido?

Located in Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, "Nanki-Katsuura Onsen Bokido" is a natural cave hot spring that opens dramatically onto the Pacific shoreline. Its name is said to come from a noble visitor long ago who remarked that the baths were "so comfortable you forget to go home" (bōki means "forgetting to return"). Today, it is widely celebrated as one of the most iconic hot springs representing Nanki-Katsuura.

A Special Time Bathing to the Sound of the Waves

The greatest charm of Bokido is the chance to bathe in complete harmony with the raw power of nature. Gazing out to the open sea from deep within the cave, you can watch the Kuroshio Current roll into the cave mouth, feeling the sea spray up close. The ocean glowing with the morning sun, the twilight sky, waves illuminated by moonlight — the scenery transforms with every hour and every season, offering something new no matter how many times you visit.

Combine It With Your Kumano Journey

Nanki-Katsuura is also an ideal base for exploring the World Heritage sites of the area, including Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi Falls, and the Daimon-zaka section of the Kumano Kodo. Spend your days visiting the Kumano Sanzan sacred sites, and your evenings soaking away the day's fatigue at Bokido — a luxurious way to enjoy a trip that could only be found in Kumano.

In Closing

The time you spend at Bokido, woven together by the sound of the waves, the sea breeze, and the rising steam of the bath, truly makes you "forget to go home." If you are visiting Nanki-Katsuura, this is a legendary Kumano hot spring not to be missed.

Image: 和歌山フォトライブラリー (via 和歌山フォトライブラリー)