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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.)

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!

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.

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.)

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.

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.)

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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