HOME Kansai Hyogo Kinosaki Onsen Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan: The Perfect Traditional Hot Springs Ryokan Experience for First-Timers (Hyogo Prefecture)
Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan: The Perfect Traditional Hot Springs Ryokan Experience for First-Timers (Hyogo Prefecture)

Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan: The Perfect Traditional Hot Springs Ryokan Experience for First-Timers (Hyogo Prefecture)

Date published: 13 May 2024

Planning your first hot springs experience in Japan? Then you’ve got to check out Kinosaki Onsen, one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Hyogo Prefecture! It's easy to get to, and still retains its traditional Japanese scenery and culture. On top of that, it’s thoughtfully designed for the comfort and convenience of its many international visitors, including being one of Japan’s few tattoo-friendly hot springs!

In this article, Miyu Shimada, a traveler and tour guide with a love for onsen, shares her recommended Kinosaki Onsen itinerary, perfect for those visiting the area for the first time. Read on for her personalized tips and suggestions, drawn from her own experience staying at the popular ryokan known as Shinzan.

Table of Contents
  1. What Makes Japanese Hot Springs Special?
  2. Kinosaki Onsen: A 1,300-Year-Old Hot Springs Town Brimming with Excitement
  3. Featured Hot Springs Resort: Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan
  4. Enjoying Kinosaki Onsen: What’s the Difference Between Outdoor and Indoor Hot Springs?
  5. Recommended Itinerary for Your Kinosaki Onsen Stay
  6. Getting to the Onsen Resort from your Accommodation
  7. Kinosaki Onsen: Why it’s the Best Place for Hot Springs in Japan!

What Makes Japanese Hot Springs Special?

What Makes Japanese Hot Springs Special?

Japan’s Onsen Act defines hot springs as “hot water, mineral water, water vapor, and other gases (excluding natural gas composed mainly of hydrocarbons) that emanate from the ground” with “a temperature of 25°C or higher” or specific “substances defined as hot spring constituents,” such as strontium ions and radon.

Japan has an abundance of hot springs due to its geographical location, making it the country with the largest number of hot spring resorts and spring sources in the world.

The history of hot springs in Japan is long, with the oldest known spring said to be Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture, dating back about 3,000 years, and having been recorded in literature and other records as early as 1,300 years ago.

Since ancient times, hot springs have been believed to contain healing properties for injuries and illnesses. Various legends and writings have recounted stories of people healing their ailments by simply bathing in the springs!

This has contributed to Japan’s culture of “hot spring remedies,” where some people stay in hot spring resorts for extended periods to recuperate while simultaneously enjoying their therapeutic benefits.

Source: Toyooka City Photo Library
Source: Toyooka City Photo Library

Kinosaki Onsen: A 1,300-Year-Old Hot Springs Town Brimming with Excitement

Hot spring towns typically have shops with local specialties, products, and crafts, restaurants serving local delicacies, and leisure facilities catering to visiting tourists. Another appeal of these towns is the presence of shrines nearby dedicated to the deities believed to watch over the springs, adding to the distinctly Japanese atmospheres that these towns are so well-known and loved for.

Source: Toyooka City Photo Library
Source: Toyooka City Photo Library
Source: Toyooka City Photo Library
Source: Toyooka City Photo Library

Kinosaki Onsen is a historic hot spring resort established around 1,300 years ago. Outdoor springs have long been an integral part of the area’s culture.

These public bathhouses are located in the hot spring resort area, as opposed to the “indoor baths” inside the inns.

Locals use these outdoor baths daily for socializing, bringing a sense of community to the area. The town of Kinosaki Onsen has seven outdoor baths, all of which are tattoo-friendly, making them highly accessible for international visitors, too!

Kinosaki Onsen has a chloride spring source with clear, colorless, smooth, and slightly salty water. This type of water is highly moisturizing, making it beneficial for dry skin and cuts, as well as for soothing cold sores. It also keeps the body nice and warm well after bathing.

Featured Hot Springs Resort: Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan

Featured Hot Springs Resort: Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan

The hot spring inn featured here is Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan. Founded in 1967, it’s one of the newest establishments in the Kinosaki Onsen Resort area.

After operating for many years as Shinzan Rakutei, it underwent significant renovations following the pandemic, having recently reopened as Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan in November 2023.

The new interior combines modern Japanese style with an elegant, refined aesthetic, while preserving the breathtaking atmosphere of the 1920s Taisho Roman era.

The spacious entrance and lobby offer a luxurious layout that's rare to find in other inns in the Kinosaki area. In this delightful space, guests are welcomed and guided through the check-in process with the signature hospitality that only a Japanese ryokan can offer.

Incidentally, many of the other inns and shops in Kinosaki Onsen also underwent major renovations during the pandemic, when there were few visitors. These updates have improved the interiors, restrooms, baths, and other facilities for ease of use while still retaining their traditional charm.

Guest Rooms at Shinzan

Guest Rooms at Shinzan

With 37 rooms, this inn is one of the larger accommodations in the Kinosaki Onsen Resort area. The standard Japanese-style room seen here features shoji paper sliding doors, a zataku (low table), and zaisu (floor chairs), as well as an engawa (outside porch), all of which contribute to the inn’s traditional Japanese ambiance. The rooms also have a contemporary touch to complement the modern age.

Three special guest rooms are available. These luxurious, spacious accommodations feature beds and cozy rooms. Decorated with beautiful ink paintings, they offer a chic, peaceful atmosphere, making them ideal options for comfort and privacy on your special trip.

For this trip, we stayed in a Japanese-Western-style room, which was spacious and comfortable, even with the inclusion of two double beds. It even had a veranda!

Amenities at the Onsen Inn

Amenities at the Onsen Inn

One must-try Kinosaki Onsen experience is taking a walk around town in a yukata and visiting the public baths. Most inns provide free yukata rentals, so you’ll often see people strolling around town wearing them in various patterns. Shinzan offers two original yukata designs, with sizes available from children’s to adult 3L.

Room amenities include toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and body towels, as well as pajamas, a basket to bring to the bath, face towels, and tabi socks, adding a nice touch to your stay.

You’ll also find basic cosmetics, including shampoo, treatment, and body soap, as well as facial cleansing foams and lotions. Japanese inns excel at providing a full range of amenities. You’ll even find soaps at Kinosaki Onsen’s outdoor baths!

Seasonal Delights: Indulge in Culinary Creations Crafted by the Inn’s Head Chef

Another highlight of staying at a ryokan is the food! Each inn offers its own specialties that you can only taste by booking a stay. We visited in the spring, at a time complete with cherry blossoms in full bloom, meaning the course featured ingredients unique to the spring season.

The appetizers featured seasonal spring vegetables like bamboo shoots and rape blossoms, as well as firefly squid, a local spring specialty of Kinosaki.

Kinosaki, being so close to the Sea of Japan, is famous for fresh seafood, such as the thick, sweet fish featured in their delicious sashimi platters.

Here is a steak made from Tajima beef, Hyogo Prefecture's beef brand. The sweet fat envelops the tender red meat, delighting the palate with every bite. This stay plan includes 12 dishes, including an aperitif, carefully crafted for the full-course dinner experience you'd expect at an onsen inn. (Please note that meal contents and quantities may vary according to the selected plan.)

A sumptuous breakfast, unlike what you’d typically enjoy at home, is another highlight of an onsen inn, allowing you to kickstart your morning with a nourishing meal that energizes you for the day ahead.

Enjoying Kinosaki Onsen: What’s the Difference Between Outdoor and Indoor Hot Springs?

Enjoying Kinosaki Onsen: What’s the Difference Between Outdoor and Indoor Hot Springs?

Using the Outdoor Baths (Public Bathhouses)

The word "meguri" refers to a pilgrimage in Japanese, and "yu" is the word referring to hot water, or hot springs.

There are seven outdoor bathhouses in Kinosaki Onsen.

Many inns include a Yumeguri Ticket with their accommodation plans, providing unlimited access to these bathhouses so you can enjoy your own relaxing pilgrimage! Tickets may also be purchased at the reception desk of six of these bathhouses.

  • Before visiting the outdoor springs, be sure to rent a yukata and geta sandals at the inn. And don’t forget your towel! (Note: towel rentals are available at the springs for a fee.)
  • All seven bathhouses use the same water source. However, the tubs at each spot are unique in size, shape, and vibe. If possible, why not try to visit them all? Just note that business hours and closed days may vary by location.
  • When entering a hot spring, whether outdoors or indoors, always be sure to wash off your body first before getting in. Also, note that visitors may not bring towels into the springs. What you can do, however, is fold it and place it on top of your head, or simply place it just outside the tub.
  • Yumeguri Tickets have an expiration date, which typically coincides with your check-out day. However, most of them are valid until around 3:30 PM, so you can still enjoy the baths until that time!

Using the Indoor Baths

Using the Indoor Baths

While the outdoor baths are ideal for exploring during the day, the indoor baths are perfect for right before bed or early in the morning.

Shinzan boasts some of the largest baths among all the inns in Kinosaki Onsen. Its spaciousness and sense of privacy, combined with a relaxing soak, make it a favorite spot with many returning guests.

There are four baths with distinct atmospheres, including the expansive open-air bath, each of which alternate bathing times between men and women in the mornings and evenings. This allows guests to embark on a mini bath tour without even having to leave the hotel!

Cautions
  • While it may be tempting to soak in the springs for a long time, prolonged bathing may strain the body and lead to physical discomfort and/or dizziness. Take breaks between baths (generally 10 to 15 minutes), and stay within your comfort zone.
  • The spring’s water is hot, so be sure to check the temperature before entering, and take your time getting in. Note that the open-air baths may be relatively less hot.
  • Be considerate of other bathers, and be respectful and quiet as you enjoy your soak.

Recommended Itinerary for Your Kinosaki Onsen Stay

There’s plenty to do in Kinosaki Onsen Town, including strolling around town, soaking in the springs, and indulging at the restaurants. So, if you’re wondering what to do during your stay, read on! Below is a sample itinerary of recommended activities to try at Kinosaki Onsen.

1. Arrive as early as you can!

1. Arrive as early as you can!

Once you arrive at the station, leave any large luggage in a locker at the tourist information center or at your hotel and travel light. Depending on the time of your train's arrival, check-in buses will be waiting right in front of the station to bring you to your accommodation.

(Note: Only accommodations registered with the Ryokan Association are eligible for this service.)

2. Try local delicacies, walk around town, and go shopping until check-in time

2. Try local delicacies, walk around town, and go shopping until check-in time

Kinosaki Onsen Town is compact enough to explore comfortably on foot. Before checking in and changing into your yukata, we recommend checking out attractions like the cable car and the museum.

Kinosaki Onsen Town was awarded two stars in Michelin Green Guide Japan as the “Best Onsen Town” and one star for the views from the top of Mt. Daishi. The cable car ride to the mountain’s summit offers a spectacular view of Kinosaki City and the Sea of Japan. Other attractions include the Onsenji Treasure Museum (Kinosaki Museum of Art) and Onsenji Temple.

Foot baths can be found all throughout the city, which anyone can enter for free - just bring your towel!

Onsen resort areas also offer a variety of delicacies cooked in the heat of the hot springs. One of these must-try dishes is “onsen tamago,” or eggs boiled in the waters of the springs.

Unlike regular boiled eggs, both the yolk and the whites are soft.

There’s also a variety of ice creams to indulge in after warming up in the springs, as well as a variety of sweets and finger foods, many of which are made from local ingredients. This also makes them easy to eat while strolling around town!

3. Check in as soon as you’re able to!

3. Check in as soon as you’re able to!

Check in as soon as you are able to (around 3 PM at most inns). Then unwind in your room for a bit while soaking in the ryokan vibe.

4. Change into a yukata and take an outdoor spring tour

4. Change into a yukata and take an outdoor spring tour

Change into your yukata, grab your towel and Yumeguri Pass, and head out for a tour of the outdoor baths! (Note: if you don’t have a pass, you can purchase tickets separately at each spring’s counter.)

5. Dine at the inn for dinner

5. Dine at the inn for dinner

If your plan includes dinner, you’ll be able to indulge in kaiseki cuisine and local sake at your inn. But if dinner is not included, you can still enjoy Kinosaki's gourmet at the town’s restaurants and izakayas.

6. After dinner, check the outdoor springs, town, and amusement area

6. After dinner, check the outdoor springs, town, and amusement area

After lunch, head back out into town to check out the outdoor baths, take a stroll, or visit the amusement area where you can play games. Many souvenir shops are also open until around 9 PM, so there’s still plenty to do well into the evening! (Note that business hours may vary by season.)

7. Return to the inn and enjoy the indoor springs before bed

A night in the inn's springs, followed by a good night's sleep, is the perfect way to bring the day to an end.

8. Enjoy a morning soak in the indoor springs

One of the best things about an onsen inn is getting to enjoy a soak in the springs first thing in the morning!

9. Eat breakfast and take your time checking out

After that, visit the outdoor baths and do some shopping at the souvenir shops.

As there are only a limited number of restaurants open in the morning, we recommend staying at an inn with a breakfast plan. After checking out, head back into town, and either visit the springs again, or do some souvenir shopping until your train arrives.

On check-out day, guests have the option to use a luggage service (for 200 yen) that will transport their belongings from the inn to the tourist center in front of the station. Be sure to inquire with your inn regarding availability of this service.

Getting to the Onsen Resort from your Accommodation

Accommodation Reservations

Check below for reservations at Kinosaki Onsen Shinzan. Several plans are available with a variety of room types and meal options, including stays without meals. Prices vary by plan. We recommend comparing each option and selecting the one that best suits your preferences.

Getting to Kinosaki Onsen

Located in Hyogo Prefecture, in Japan’s Kansai Region, it takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Kyoto and 2 hours and 40 minutes from Osaka by train, making it a convenient spot for anyone exploring the Kansai area. You can also get there by bus or plane.

Kinosaki Onsen: Why it’s the Best Place for Hot Springs in Japan!

As someone born and raised in Japan who has visited all kinds of attractions not only throughout the country, but around the world, here are three reasons Ms. Shimada recommends Kinosaki Onsen, especially to international visitors.

The first reason is, Kinosaki Onsen exudes a unique Japanese beauty that even the locals are impressed by! As the times change and new buildings emerge, preserving the historical structures and atmosphere becomes increasingly challenging. However, it stands out as a place that offers both international visitors and locals alike an authentic experience imbued with Japanese charm and tradition.

Second, Kinosaki Onsen offers a commitment to inbound hospitality, deeply ingrained at a personal level. Visitors will sense the genuine warmth of the local staff at shops and hotels, wholeheartedly embracing visitors from overseas with the spirit of omotenashi, regardless of language barriers. This welcoming atmosphere fosters ease and relaxation amongst international guests, guaranteeing a comfortable and memorable stay.

Third, for those experiencing Japanese culture for the first time, Kinosaki Onsen offers a range of opportunities to indulge your curiosities. Here, visitors can delight in the city's atmosphere and the beauty of the seasons, the springs, and delicious Japanese dishes, all of which are deeply woven into the daily life of the locals.

Kinosaki Onsen is a cozy place where modern conveniences coexist with the traditional Japanese atmosphere of bygone days. However, a quick one-day trip hardly does it justice! So if you’d like to truly savor the essence of this hot spring resort, consider making it a two or three-night stay!


In cooperation with:
Kinosaki Onsen Fukayama Shinzan


English translation by: Krys Suzuki

Written by:
Miyu Shimada
Miyu Shimada

Miyu is a travel writer and tour conductor with over a decade of experience in developing educational content for working individuals. She has a passion for exploring new cultures and has visited more than 150 cities in around 50 countries. Her goal is to sample great food, experience nature, enjoy historical sites, and bathe in hot springs around the world. Miyu left her corporate job to pursue her passion for travel and now spends over 100 days a year abroad while working as a writer. She promotes the joy of travel, the beauty of Japan, and the diverse cultures of the world by traveling to different parts of Japan and collaborating with inbound tour operators and fellow travel writers.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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