All Nioh 3 Hot Spring Locations
Nioh 3 has 26 Hot Springs hidden across the world map. Each one fully restores your HP, grants a 10-minute combat buff, and counts toward the Spa Lover trophy. Hot Springs are easy to miss because they are tucked into caves, behind waterfalls, and inside buildings with no map marker until you discover them. This guide covers every hot spring location in Nioh 3, sorted by region, with step-by-step directions so you can grab every buff and complete the trophy without backtracking.
Hot Spring Mechanics
When you step into a Hot Spring, your character sits down and soaks for about 3 seconds. Afterward, you receive two benefits: full HP restoration and a timed combat buff that lasts 10 minutes of real playtime (the timer pauses when the game is paused or you are in menus). Only one Hot Spring buff can be active at a time. If you visit a new spring while a buff is still active, the new buff replaces the old one. Hot Springs do not respawn enemies or reset the map when used, so there is no downside to visiting them mid-exploration.
| Buff Type | Effect | Duration | Spring Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healing Waters | Passive HP regen (+2% max HP every 5 seconds) | 10 minutes | 8 |
| Warrior's Waters | +6% melee damage | 10 minutes | 7 |
| Guardian's Waters | +10% defense | 10 minutes | 5 |
| Flowing Waters | +15% Ki recovery speed | 10 minutes | 4 |
| Purifying Waters | +50% status ailment resistance | 10 minutes | 2 |
Sengoku Warring States (7)
The Warring States era contains 7 Hot Springs. Most are near rivers and natural water features, making them easier to spot than springs in later regions. Listen for the sound of bubbling water, which is audible from about 15 meters away.
Hitokoto Slope Spring
Hitokoto SlopeHealing WatersFrom the second Shrine, follow the main path downhill until you reach the river crossing. Instead of crossing, turn left and follow the riverbank south for about 30 meters. The spring is in a small alcove behind a cluster of rocks, partially hidden by tall grass. You can hear the bubbling water before you see it.
Futamata Castle Moat Spring
Futamata CastleWarrior's WatersDrop down from the castle rampart into the moat area beneath the main bridge. Instead of heading toward the castle gate, swim to the far east side of the moat. The spring is in a shallow cave carved into the moat wall, accessible only from the water. Look for the faint blue glow reflecting off the cave ceiling.
Hamamatsu Underground Spring
Hamamatsu Castle TownGuardian's WatersEnter the underground tunnels through the trapdoor near the blacksmith's forge. Follow the left wall until you reach a dead-end room with wooden support beams. The spring is in the back-right corner of this room, behind a stack of crates you need to break.
Tenryu River Falls Spring
Tenryu RiverHealing WatersAt the large waterfall in the northern section of Tenryu River, walk through the water curtain on the right side. Behind the waterfall is a small cave with the spring at the far end. This is one of the classic hidden-behind-waterfall spots that Nioh 3 loves to use.
Tenryu Riverbank Spring
Tenryu RiverFlowing WatersOn the eastern bank of the river, about halfway between the second and third Shrines. Look for a sandy beach area with a large flat rock. The spring is between two boulders on the beach, partially obscured by river reeds.
Mikatagahara Cliff Spring
Mikatagahara PlateauWarrior's WatersFrom the Shrine at the plateau's eastern edge, head south along the cliff face. After passing the enemy encampment, look for a narrow ledge path leading downward. Follow it to a shelf about 20 meters below the main plateau. The spring sits on this shelf with a panoramic view of the valley below.
Mount Fuji Foothills Spring
Mount Fuji FoothillsPurifying WatersNear the volcanic vent area in the southwestern corner of the foothills. The spring is next to a steam vent, making it hard to distinguish from the natural geothermal activity. Look for the distinct blue glow that separates it from the white volcanic steam.
Bakumatsu Civil War (7)
The Bakumatsu era has 7 Hot Springs hidden in urban environments. These are the trickiest to find because they are inside buildings, courtyards, and underground passages rather than in natural settings. Check every building interior and alleyway.
Magistrate's Bathhouse Spring
Edo DistrictGuardian's WatersInside the magistrate's building, go to the basement level. The bathhouse is behind a locked sliding door that requires the Magistrate's Key, found on the roof of the same building. Once inside, the spring is in the center of the tiled bath.
Merchant Quarter Spring
Edo DistrictHealing WatersIn the back alley behind the large merchant warehouse. Enter the alley from the south side and look for a wooden fence with a gap you can squeeze through. The spring is in a small enclosed garden behind the fence, surrounded by bamboo.
Dockyard Storage Spring
Yokohama PortWarrior's WatersInside the large warehouse at the eastern end of the docks. The warehouse has two entrances but the spring is only visible from the second floor. Climb the cargo crates to reach the upper level, then look down into the open storage pit. Drop down to reach the spring.
Temple Garden Spring
Kyoto OutskirtsHealing WatersBehind the main temple building, accessible through a side gate that only opens after you defeat the Onryoki mini-boss in the temple courtyard. The spring is in a serene garden with a stone lantern, easy to spot once you get through the gate.
Underground Passage Spring
Edo DistrictFlowing WatersIn the underground escape tunnel that connects the magistrate's building to the river. Enter the tunnel from the riverside entrance (look for the stone archway near the bridge). Follow the tunnel north. The spring is in a widened section about halfway through, in an alcove on the left wall.
Castle Ruins Spring
Osaka ApproachWarrior's WatersIn the collapsed section of the outer castle wall. From the Shrine near the main gate, head east along the wall until you find the breach. Climb through the rubble into a partially flooded courtyard. The spring is in the deepest part of the flooded area, near the base of a crumbling tower.
Ronin's Rest Spring
Kyoto OutskirtsFlowing WatersAt the abandoned inn on the outskirts road. Enter the inn through the broken front door and go to the back room. The floor has partially collapsed, revealing a natural spring beneath the building. Drop through the hole to reach it.
Ancient Era (6)
The Ancient Era has 6 Hot Springs, all near natural water features like ponds, streams, and fountains. None are hidden behind breakable walls, making this the most straightforward region for spring hunting. However, several require solving minor environmental puzzles to access.
Sacred Pool Spring
Izumo Shrine GroundsHealing WatersAt the base of the grand torii gate, look for a winding path leading down to a natural pool fed by a small waterfall. The spring is at the edge of the pool, marked by a circle of white stones placed by ancient worshippers.
Dragon's Mouth Spring
Yamato River ValleyWarrior's WatersNear the dragon statue fountain in the center of the valley. The spring is directly in front of the statue where the water collects. You need to rotate the statue 90 degrees using the nearby lever mechanism to redirect the water flow and reveal the spring beneath.
Burial Mound Spring
Kofun FieldsGuardian's WatersInside the largest burial mound (the one with the stone entrance). Follow the main corridor to the burial chamber, then take the left passage. The spring is in a natural cavern that the tomb builders incorporated into the mound structure.
Forest Shrine Spring
Primeval ForestHealing WatersDeep in the forest, near the small wooden shrine surrounded by shimenawa rope. The spring is about 10 meters east of the shrine, at the base of an enormous ancient tree. Follow the tree roots downhill to find it.
Cliffside Overlook Spring
Yamato River ValleyFlowing WatersOn a ledge overlooking the river, accessible via a grapple point on the cliff face. From the third Shrine, look for the grapple icon on the cliff to the south. Swing across to the ledge. The spring is at the far end, next to a prayer stone.
Sunken Garden Spring
Izumo Shrine GroundsPurifying WatersIn the sunken garden area behind the main shrine hall. You need to drain the flooded garden by activating the sluice gate mechanism on the upper terrace. Once drained, drop into the garden. The spring is in the center, surrounded by now-exposed stone carvings.
Mission-Exclusive (6)
These 6 Hot Springs only appear during specific missions and are not accessible from the open-world map. If you miss them during the mission, you must replay that mission from the Mission Select screen to collect them. They still count toward the Spa Lover trophy.
Siege Camp Spring
Battle of Mikatagahara (Main Mission)Warrior's WatersAfter the first checkpoint in the siege mission, before pushing into the enemy camp. Turn right instead of following the objective marker and head toward the supply tents. The spring is behind the third tent, next to a stack of ammunition crates.
Burning Temple Spring
Fire on Mount Hiei (Main Mission)Healing WatersInside the burning temple on the second floor. From the staircase, go left instead of right (right leads to the boss). The spring is in a room that is actively on fire. Sprint through the fire damage to reach it, or use a Water Talisman for safe passage.
Viper's Den Spring
Viper's Sanctum Depths (Sub Mission)Purifying WatersIn the poison cave section, after defeating the Tsuchigumo mini-boss. The spring is on an elevated platform above the main poison lake. Use the grapple point on the cave ceiling to reach it. The platform is safe from poison.
Night Raid Spring
Midnight Assault (Sub Mission)Guardian's WatersDuring the stealth section of the night raid mission, before you reach the enemy commander's tent. Hug the left wall of the camp perimeter. The spring is in a secluded corner behind the wooden palisade, barely visible in the dark. Listen for the bubbling sound.
Sacred Mountain Spring
Ascent of the Sacred Mountain (Main Mission)Healing WatersAbout two-thirds of the way up the mountain path, at the rest point with the lone cherry blossom tree. The spring is just past the tree, on a small plateau overlooking the valley. Hard to miss if you explore the rest point instead of rushing the path.
Final Shrine Spring
The Last Shrine (Sub Mission)Healing WatersIn the underground section of the shrine, after the second dark corridor. Look for a faintly glowing side passage on the right wall. Follow it for about 15 meters to a small chamber with the spring. This is the most commonly missed Hot Spring in the entire game.
Tips for Finding Hidden Hot Springs
- •Listen for bubbling water sounds. Hot Springs produce a distinct bubbling audio cue that is audible from about 15 meters away, even through walls. Turn up your game audio or use headphones when hunting for springs, especially in the Bakumatsu urban areas where visual cues are blocked by buildings.
- •The Kodama Sensor skill from the Shiftling tree also pulses when you are near a Hot Spring, not just Kodama. This makes it the single most useful exploration skill in the game. If you see a green pulse but there is no Kodama nearby, check for a Hot Spring instead.
- •Check behind every waterfall in the game. Nioh 3 hides collectibles behind waterfalls consistently, and at least 3 of the 26 Hot Springs are directly behind water curtains. Walk into every waterfall you see, even if it looks purely decorative.
- •Open your region map and look for blue water icons to track which springs you have already found. Missing springs have no icon, so if you see a region with fewer blue icons than the expected count, you know you need to search that area more thoroughly.
- •Before a difficult boss fight, fast travel to the nearest Hot Spring and grab a buff. The Warrior's Waters buff (+6% melee damage) stacks with Kodama Blessings, food buffs, and equipment bonuses. This free damage boost can make the difference in a close fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Hot Springs are in Nioh 3?
There are 26 Hot Springs total in Nioh 3. Seven are in Sengoku Warring States, 7 in Bakumatsu Civil War, 6 in the Ancient Era, and 6 are exclusive to specific missions. All 26 must be discovered for the Spa Lover trophy.
Do Hot Spring buffs stack with each other?
No. Only one Hot Spring buff can be active at a time. Visiting a new Hot Spring replaces your current buff. Each buff lasts 10 minutes of real playtime and the timer pauses in menus and pause screens.
Can I revisit Hot Springs?
Yes. Hot Springs are permanent fixtures in the world and can be used as many times as you want. They do not despawn or change between visits. Mission-exclusive springs can be revisited by replaying the mission from Mission Select.
Do Hot Springs carry over to New Game Plus?
Yes. All Hot Spring discoveries carry over to Shogun's Journey (NG+). Springs you already found remain marked on your map, and you keep credit toward the Spa Lover trophy. You do not need to re-discover them.
What is the best Hot Spring buff in Nioh 3?
Warrior's Waters (+6% melee damage) is the most universally useful buff. For boss fights where you are taking heavy damage, Guardian's Waters (+10% defense) is better. Healing Waters is best for long exploration sessions. Purifying Waters is situational but invaluable in poison and paralysis-heavy areas like Viper's Sanctum.