奥日光湯元温泉源泉 — Attraction in Nikko

Happened to visit when I went hot spring hopping! This is where the source of the regions hot spring water come from. Smell of sulphur is strong. You could look into the little huts and see the bubbling water and yellow gases emerging from it. I visited on a snowy day. It was perfect. It is said that even during winter this part does not freeze over due to the hot water.

I visited the nearby onsen just at the entrance of this attraction before I visited this place. You do not need to purposely come to this place, but this is very interesting. Pop by if you’re around the...

You can visit the “hot spring source” for free. It’s only a short walk away from the lake and footbaths. The hot water bubbles up from the ground here, and pipes lead it away to be used in local onsen. Although some of the water comes out at 70°C, the exposed puddles are cool enough to touch. We came in July 2025 and were surprised to see wriggling worms in the hot water: they are the larva of abu (horse-fly). If you have a copper coin such as a 10-yen coin, hold it in the puddle to see it turn black (copper sulfide), but be careful if you are wearing a...

I came here in April, and also my 2nd time in Oku Nikko as I love the chill vibe and how it's not overcrowded with foreign tourists. It's a short walk from the carpark nearby to this Hot Spring next to a temple. No tickets needed for entry. Lots of onsen houses (with fee) around it too. But do be careful of the insane amount of random wildlife poop laying on the ground of the Yunodaira Marsh...