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Kinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo

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 machineTicket machine
Kinosaki Onsen Town in HyogoKinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo
Kinosaki Onsen Town in HyogoKinosaki Onsen Town in Hyogo
kinosaki-onsen-in-hyogo-goshonoyu-massage-02kinosaki-onsen-in-hyogo-goshonoyu-massage-02
Mr. Wada and his friend on the massage chairs.
Name Goshono-yu (御所の湯)
Access 448 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo
Business Hours

7:00 – 23:00

Closed: The first and third Thursdays
Admission

Adult: 800 yen

Child: 400 yen

 

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)
Name Ichino-yu (一の湯)
Access 415-1 Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo
Business Hours

7:00 – 23:00

Closed: Wednesdays
Admission

Adult: 600 yen

Child: 300 yen

 

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)
Name Kono-yu (鴻の湯)
Access
610 Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Business Hours

7:00 – 23:00

Closed: Tuesdays
Admission

Adult: 600 yen

Child: 300 yen

 

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)
Name Mandara-yu (まんだら湯)
Access 565 Yushima Shirosakicho, Toyooka-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Business Hours

15:00 – 23:00

Closed: Wednesdays
Admission

Adult: 600 yen

Child: 300 yen

 

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
Name Yanagi-yu (柳湯)
Access
647 Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Business Hours

15:00 – 23:00

Closed: Thursdays
Admission

Adult: 600 yen

Child: 300 yen

 

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
Name Jizou-yu (地蔵湯)
Access 796 Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Business Hours

7:00 – 23:00

Closed: Fridays
Admission

Adult: 600 yen

Child: 300 yen

 

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
Name Satono-yu (さとの湯)
Access 290-36 Kinosakichō Imazu, Toyooka-shi, Hyōgo-ken
Business Hours

13:00 – 21:00

Closed: Mondays
Admission

Adult: 800 yen

Child: 400 yen

 

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!

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World Heritage Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama

Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama

Hi there. It’s Mr. Wada back on duty. I would like to show you around the world heritage Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama this time.

World Heritage Tsuboyu Onsen in Wakayama

Tsuboyu Onsen is located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. It takes about 1.5 hours from Shirahama City by car, 2.5 hour drive from Wakayama City.

Tsuboyu Onsen

Only one group is allowed  to enter Tsuboyu  at a time (up to 30 minutes). And take a note that there tends to be a line up. We, the Wadas, would have to wait for 2 hours to enter. So be sure you get enough time for it (unless you plan on staying over a night).

Here is a flow.

1. Purchase Ticket

Purchase a ticket at the machine and pass it to a reception next to it. He gives you a number tag and tells you how long it may take.

 

2. Wait for Your Turn

There is a seat near by Tsuboyu. When a group/person before your number is out, it’s your turn.

Map from reception to Tsuboyu.Map from reception to Tsuboyu.

 

3. Enter Tsuboyu

Tsuboyu is in this little shack. Don’t forget to hang your number tag on the door to show that you are in. Also do not forget to return the tag at the reception when you are done.

Note:
If the person before you doesn’t show up, go ask the reception for assistance.

Alright, now we got 30 minutes. Check the clock and we are on the go!

 

It is said that Tsuboyu has 7 colors by chemical reaction (when sulfur in the hot spring and oxygen in the air are mixed). It really is hot. It’d burn my skin in a second. You should check the temperature before going in and adjust it with ice water (see the faucet in the middle?). It’ll be still hot but it may help a bit…

Hang the number tag and enter.Hang the number tag and enter.
There goes Tsuboyu.There goes Tsuboyu.
Ceiling.Ceiling.
Soaking…..and holding…Soaking…..and holding…
(panting)(panting)

 

4. Enjoy Extra Onsen

For those who paid for Tsuboyu have access to the public Onsen or Kusuri no Yu as well. You know, only 30 minutes in Tuboyu wouldn’t be enough, right? We would like to cool down and relax at regular onsen. Pick one (tell the reception that you are going to enter one of the two).

Kusuri no Yu (inside)Kusuri no Yu (inside)

 

Kominka Cafe

There’s a neat kominka cafe in the neighborhood. It would be perfect to wait for Tsuboyu with tea and some sweets.

 

This coffee is dripped with hot spring water. That’s really a cool idea, isn’t it?

 

Cook Eggs / Veggies by Hot Spring

Veggies and eggs are available at near-by stores and you can cook them in the hot spring water. For a good manner, do not bring your own food. Support local.

 

Taking out my stuff (not stealing). It takes only 10 minutes for eggs.

 

Tada! We call it onsen tamago (egg). Did you know that onsen tamago is actually available at Gyudon places etc? Well, generally speaking onsen tamago refers to half-boiled eggs.

 

OK, let’s call it a day!

 

Information

Tsuboyu
Access

110 Yunomine, Hongu, Tanabe city, Wakayama
Business Hours 6:00 – 21:30 (Tsuboyu)
6:00 – 22:00 (Public Bath)*Open everyday
Fee Adult: 770 yen
Child: 460 yen *Including entrance for public bath / Kusuri no Yu
Contact 0735-42-0074
Website http://www.hongu.jp/en/onsen/yunomine/

 

Lastly

How do you find it? It’s a little hard to access but definitely worth a visit. Hope it helps.

See you around!



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