Nikko Yumoto Onsen (日光湯本温泉) is located by Yunoko Lake in the Okunikko region. It is also part of the Nikko National Park. In the northern part of the town is a Buddhist temple called Onsenji. The temple is equipped with a small hot spring bath, which is open to the public. Near the temple is the Yunodaira Marsh where the hot spring water bubbles up from the ground. You can also see the hot water bubbles by the north shore of Yunoko Lake. The name Yumoto literally translates to “origin of hot water.” Many of the places in the area have the kanji that translates to hot water; however, it does not literally refer to the temperature. In the south of Yunoko Lake the water plunges down a 70-meter slope creating the Yudaki waterfall. The Senjogahara Plateau Nature Trail starts from Yudaki waterfall and follows the Yukawa River. Ryuzu Waterfall, which is located on the shores of Lake Chuzenji, can be reached by following the nature trail through the woods and pass the Senjogahara Plateau marshland. Yumoto Onsen is especially beautiful when the autumn colors settle in. The best time to see the fall hues would be around mid-October.
