Dorogawa Onsen

When searching for Dongawa Onsen on your car navigation system, a route will be suggested that takes you along Prefectural Route 48, passing through Nakato in Kurotaki Village and crossing over Konami Pass. However, there are narrow roads and areas where it's difficult to pass oncoming traffic. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a route that passes through the Kawai district in Tengawa Village. It takes about 2 hours by car from Nara City to Tengawa Village, passing through the Kintetsu Kashihara Bypass and National Routes 169 and 309. Access from Osaka is the same. If coming from the Kanto region, it takes about 3 and a half hours from Nagoya City.

The Dongawa area is scattered with tourist spots within the village. It's recommended to park your car in the village's parking lot and travel on foot. The parking fee is 300 yen per hour, with a maximum fee of 3,000 yen. The basic rule is to park at the "Dongawa Onsen Parking Lot," but during peak times, parking attendants will guide you to other parking lots. Also, be careful as there may be cases where the car navigation system shows a parking lot at the Mitarai Valley, but there is no parking lot for walking around the valley.

The Dokawa district is surrounded by rich nature. You can explore beautiful scenery created by the power of nature, such as streams, waterfalls, and limestone caves, by taking routes such as the Mitarai promenade, the Dokawa nature study path, and the route around giant trees. In addition, the Dokawa district is also a place where Shugendo, a practice of asceticism in the mountains that has been carried out since ancient times, has been performed. You can also feel a part of Shugendo practice, which involves reflecting on oneself while becoming one with nature.