Are you thinking about visiting Kinosaki Onsen?
Well, it’s a perfect hot spring town with beautiful nature and a relaxing atmosphere.
Today, I’m gonna share my trip to Kinosaki Onsen with you.
One of the most memorable moments was strolling through the onsen town.
Compared to other onsen towns, Kinosaki offers a greater variety of shops along Ekimae Street.
We stopped by a sweet shop and ordered ice cream topped with warabi-mochi, a popular type of mochi.
The taste was amazing. The ice cream had a fresh, rich milk flavor, and the mochi with brown sugar syrup was truly unique.
After eating dessert, we visited “Gosyono-yu” and enjoyed the hot spring there.
The highlight of this onsen is its completely outdoor bath, called a “rotenburo.”
You can enjoy soaking while watching a forest and waterfall — it’s truly the traditional style of a Japanese hot spring.
There are many other hot springs in town, each with its own unique style and atmosphere.
If you buy a day-pass for 1,500 yen, you can try all of them.
Additionally, you can visit temples and shrines in the town — it’s a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
There are two famous onsen towns in Hyogo prefecture: Arima Onsen and Kinosaki Onsen.
Among locals, Kinosaki Onsen is more popular for its high-quality hot springs, food, and atmosphere.
On the other hand, Arima has great access from Osaka and Kobe — just 30 minutes by bus or train. In terms of convenience, Kinosaki is less ideal, as it takes over three hours by bus from Kobe or Osaka and there are limited departures each day.
Overall, if you’re planning a day trip from Osaka or Kobe, I recommend Arima Onsen. However, if you have time for an overnight stay, Kinosaki Onsen is definitely worth it.
Let’s explore more spots on JapanNow!
