Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo

The Kinosaki hot-spring area is the most popular holiday destination in the Hyogo prefecture. Visiting a hot-spring at other inns is a renowned activity on a trip to the Kinosaki hot-spring. It is just the right place when you want to have a relaxing time at a reasonable price. Apart from visiting other hot-springs, there are many interesting spots to visit in the Kinosaki hot-spring area. Here we go!

You need to obtain an IC card called “Yumepa”!

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You should know that there is a “must sightseeing ticket” to obtain for visiting the 7 hot-springs. You can soak yourself in those 7 hot-springs as many times as you want, using the “Yumepa” ticket.

The price of a ticket is only ￥1,200 and you can enjoy yourself all day long with it. It is entirely your choice whether you enjoy all the 7 hot-springs or choose your favourite one or two. The “Yumepa” is a wonderful system to enjoy visiting hot-springs in the Kinosaki hot-spring area.

1. Sato-no-yu

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The Kinosaki hot-spring area has a 1400-year-history. The 7 visiting hot-springs are dotted around in the town. You can enjoy their different charms. Amongst them, the Station House hot-spring, “Sato-no-yu” is the nearest to the station . You should visit there first on your arrival.

In the exotic building, the drifting herb fragrance and the sound of a waterfall will put you in a holiday mood. You can see the scenery with abundant nature from inside the building. It is a very relaxing place. Soaking yourself in the hot-spring will definitely comfort you.

2. Ichi-no-yu

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The “Ichi-no-yu” has long been considered that it would answer to a prayer for passing exams, for traffic safety and for bringing a better fortune. It is the representative of the Kinosaki hot-spring area. Ryosan Goto was a founder of the medical hydrology in the middle of the Edo-era. His best disciple, Shutoku Kagawa admired this hot-spring, saying, “This is the best on earth.” The name, “Ichi-no-yu” was taken after his word. (ichi=one)

In the Edo-era, the Kinosaki hot-spring was called “the best hot-spring in the whole country”. Its monument has been in the small garden next to the “Ichi-no-yu”. They have a reserved hot-spring as well. It is just right for a young couple or a family with their children.

3. Gosho-no-yu

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This hot-spring is supposed to be effective for the prevention of fires, for the success of a good match for marriage and for becoming a beauty. Amongst the 7 visiting hot-springs, this one is the newest. It was renovated in 2005, so the inside of the building is very clean.

The bathroom has an open feeling atmosphere and from there you can see the beautiful illumination. The misty sauna is excellent. This “Gosho-no-yu” will make your skin very smooth.

4. Mandara-yu

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The “Mandara-yu” is well known as the one for success in business, for huge harvest and for the one wish in your lifetime. It has a 717-year-history. It is so historical that it is very popular in the Kinosaki hot-spring area.

The biggest attraction is an open-air cypress hot-spring. You can enjoy soaking yourself in it, viewing the scenery on the mountain behind in all its wonder. It is a smallish hot-spring in the Kinosaki hot-spring area, but it is worth visiting.

5. Jizo-yu

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The “Jizo-yu” is effective for the family safety, for the memorial service of stillborn children and for the salvation of mankind. In the Edo-era, it was close to the hearts of locals as a visiting hot-spring. It is a historical place. The name was taken after the hot-spring water sprang out at the foot of the guardian deity(Jizo) for the spirits of miscarried children.

It is not only a comfortable hot-spring, but also there is a tatami-matted rest-room and a beauty salon on the 2nd floor. It is good to ease your tired body from your trip. When you want to lie down and have a rest, please visit there.

 
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6. Koo-no-yu

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The “Koo-no-yu” is very popular as a hot-spring which brings a happy marriage, a perpetual youth as well as a long life and a general happiness. This is the oldest hot-spring amongst the Kinosaki visiting hot-springs. It is located at the farthest place from the station. You can enjoy the hot-spring in the quiet atmosphere, taking your time.

The open-air hot-spring is especially popular. It has a very comfortable bath-tub. The place where you can make a hot-spring egg is nearby to add more enjoyment to your trip to the Kinosaki hot-spring area. Why don’t you visit there, after strolling around in the Kinosaki hot-spring area.

7. Yanagi-yu

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The wooden bath-tub from which you can feel some history has an attractive charm. You will be comforted by soaking yourself in it. The difference in the characteristics from other visiting hot-springs is that the bath-tub is very deep and the hot-water temperature is very high.

Many people are surprised with the depth of the bath-tub. You can soak yourself easily high up to your shoulder. The high temperature of the hot-spring water will make your body nice and warm. It’s recommended, especially in winter.

8. Soft Kobo

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When your body is nice and warm after a bath, it’s natural that you want to have something cold. Soft ice-cream specialist, the “Soft Kobo” is ideal. They have a lot of different flavours and choosing one is another enjoyment of this trip.

The taste is exquisite, just like a specialist should be! They also have various sweets such as warabi-rice-cakes and a parfait. Even if you are not keen on soft ice-cream, you can enjoy other sweets.

9. Kinosaki gelato café-chaya

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It is not only the soft ice-cream which is famous amongst the Kinosaki sweets. The “gelato café-chaya” offers various tastes such as yuzu(a kind of citrus fruit) or raspberry. It is just the right sweet after a bath to accompany you on your strolling around.

You can also make a hot-spring egg by yourself. Your own made hot-spring egg will be an irresistible one to eat. So, do make one!

Let’s Enjoy Tourist Attractions in Kinosaki Onsen!

What did you think of those 7 hot-springs which you can visit? I’m sure you can find your favourite one amongst them. It will be totally enjoyable to stroll around in the lively shopping area and the sightseeing spots along with visiting hot-springs. Please enjoy the fantastic hot-springs and the delicious gourmet in the Kinosaki hot-spring area.