This is an onsen along the Kizu river near the Mie-Nara border. They offer camping sites in the summer season along with river access. Like many of these rural hot springs they can be amazing or middling, this one was amazing. Once I entered the changing room I could smell the hot spring. That is a very good sign, but getting into the main bath it was clearly a good spring. This is one of the slippery, soft springs that stays with you hours after you get out. The spring also is set up for one of my ideal bathing routines; hot bath to sauna to cold bath to luke warm bath to normal hot bath. The lukewarm bath here is a straight from the well (掛け流し) tub at 35.7 °C. Just perfect. It is far away from anything and there is not much in the little village by the station, but if you have the chance to head out here, I would highly recommend this lovely little spot. I hope to return in the summer!

Access notes: 30min walk from Shimagahara Station on the JR Kansai Main Line or call them for a free pick up / drop off service