Ryujin Hot Spring lies deep in the stillness of the mountains. Long recognized as Kishu's famous hot spring, it has been the setting for novels such as Kaizan Nakazato's epic tale 'Toge the Bodhisattva' and Sawako Ariyosi's 'The Hidaka River'. The spring water contains sodium carbonate and other salts. It is clear and colorless and is said to be good for the skin. The water is famed for its beautifying qualities and the spring, along with Kawanaka Hot Spring in Gumma Prefecture and Yunokawa Hot Spring in Shimane Prefecture, has long been famed as one of the 'three beautifying waters of Japan'.

The Origins of the Ryujin Hot Spring

Ryujin Hot Spring (literally the hot spring of the dragon god) was discovered by the pilgrim Ozunu and later opened up as a bathhouse by the Buddhist scholar and saint Kobo Taishi. This was dictated by a revelation that came to Nanda Ryuo (Nanda the Dragon King) in a dream. This tale of how the hot spring got its name has been passed down over 1300 years. In the Tokugawa era (1603-1867) Ryujin Hot Spring was much loved by Tokugawa Yorinobu, a feudal lord of the Tokugawa clan. Lord Tokugawa Yorinobu commissioned the building of a special inn at the spring so he could spend his leisure time there. The area became known as the country retreat of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa clan. The spring is now renowned for its history and tradition.

下の写真は夜景です。平成１０年１２月７日から「龍神温泉元湯」がリニューアルオープンし、夜間入浴時に外から見えないようにライトアップしています。

この「龍神温泉元湯」は午前７時〜午後９時まで「夏季営業（６月１日〜９月３０日）時間は更に午前６時から」の営業で、年中無休になっています。竹柵の内部は露天風呂で、普通の風呂から戸を開けて入れます。写真で見えているのは男性用で女性用は上の４階が同じつくりになっています。

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