Kinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo

Hi there. It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to show you around Kinosaki Onsen (hot springs) this time.

About Kinosaki Onsen Town

Kinosaki town is one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Toyooka city, a Northern part of Hyogo prefecture (including Arima onsen). Hot springs (onsen) have been running since Heian era (794-1185).

JR Kinosaki station

Hot spring water for drinking

Walking around in Yukata (easy kimono) seems fancy.

Seven Drop-in Hot Springs in Kinosaki Onsen Town

There are 7 major drop-in onsens in town. This day pass (available at every onsen place at 1,200 yen) allows you to enter these 7 places which is reasonable since each place costs from 600 yen. To tell the truth, we couldn’t make it to all the 7 places. 2 or 3 would be good enough for a day unless you push yourself…..very hard. Most of them open at 10-ish but some open in the afternoon. Check the latest information on the official website.

The day pass.

Goshono-yu

The newest. As you see in pictures, it looks like a temple or shrine. It got a very nice views in the rotenburo (outdoor bath). I like staying in warm bath in the cold like that.

Entrance

Ticket machine

Kinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo

Kinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo

kinosaki-onsen-in-hyogo-goshonoyu-massage-02

Mr. Wada and his friend on the massage chairs.

Ichino-yu

Ichino-yu stands in the middle of the town, so you won’t miss it. It looks like the most popular place and it was indeed great. The cave onsen is worth a visit. Not as complicated as the cave onsen in Kurokawa though still neat.

Front (quite wide)

Rest space (the massage chairs are available as well)

Kono-yu

Probably it was named after Kono-tori (storks). It is believed that soaking in this onsen bring you good luck for relationships, well-being and happiness etc. I found it relaxing since it is a little isolated from other places.

Front

Lobby (not so huge)

Mandarayu

Note that this place opens at 15:00. Later than others. So what makes this place special is rotenburo (out door onsen) of two buckets! A grown up is big enough for each . Interesting but I strongly suggest to avoid rush hour.

Front (at night)

Lobby (quite small)

Yanagi-yu

You may or may not notice such a little bath house (cute in other words). It is said that its hot springs blew from under the Willow trees brought from China.

Front

Jizou-yu

Walk down from the JR Kinosaki Onsen staion and you will see it at the intersection. Apparently it is the most popular bath house among the locals.

Front

Satono-yu

It is located just next to JR Kinosaki Onsen station. It offers free foot bath outside. Unlike its classy looking it is more modern than other places with a herb bath etc. It’d be nice for starters.

Front

Foot Bath

Again, for the latest information, please check the official website.

Lastly

How do you find it? It was quite fun. Kinosaki Onsen is foreigner-friendly with tattoos (most of places seemed to accept it). This is probably because there are more foreign tourists in the town lately. Though I saw DIFFERENT types of tattoos as well …(=o=)ooOO

Anyway, see you around!