Nachikatsuura Onsen

Nanki-Katsuura Onsen, commonly called Nachikatsuura Onsen, is a coastal hot spring resort in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, within Yoshino-Kumano National Park. Originally known simply as Katsuura Onsen, it took the 'Nanki-' prefix to distinguish it from a different Katsuura Onsen in Chiba Prefecture. Dating to the Edo period, the resort now has more than 100 hot spring sources scattered across rugged coastal terrain, including a peninsula (Urashima) and an island (Nakanoshima); several ryokan are reachable only by boat from Katsuura Harbor. The springs are chloride waters containing sulfur, along with simple sulfur springs, both noted for retaining heat unusually well. The area is nicknamed the 'Matsushima of Kii' for its scenic coastline and is a major base for the local tuna fishing industry.