Kinosaki Onsen, Japan
Kinosaki Onsen is mainly known for its seven public bathhouses. In the evening, the streets fill with people dressed in yukata, hopping from one onsen to the next.
As the atmosphere at night is so magical, staying overnight makes more sense than only going for a day trip. Plus, it allows you to stay overnight in an authentic ryokan. When staying in any of the ryokans in Kinosaki Onsen, you’ll get free access to all seven public baths, so you can go try them yourself in the evening!
- Go Onsen Hopping: As mentioned above, Kinosaki Onsen has seven public onsen. If you stay overnight in any of the ryokans in town, you’ll receive an onsen pass, which gives you free access to all seven public baths. Put on your yukata and geta and wander the streets of Kinosaki Onsen, trying as many onsen as you can.
- Try Tajima Beef: Kinosaki Onsen is located in Hyogo Prefecture, which is famous for its Kobe Beef (you may have heard of it before, as it’s known to be the most delicious meat in the world). Kobe Beef comes from pure-bred Tajima cattle. While not all Tajima cows can be classed as Kobe Beef, you can still expect excellent quality.
- Eat Matsuba (Snow) Crab: Another delicacy that brings people to Kinosaki Onsen is Matsuba Crab, or Snow Crab. Between November and March, these crabs can be caught near Kinosaki Onsen, making them as fresh as they can be. If you’re having a Keiseki dinner in your ryokan and you’re visiting during the winter months, there’s a big chance you get to try this delicious crab.
- Use the Free Footbaths: Hot spring water is a renewable resource, and Kinosaki Onsen uses this as much as possible. Across the town, you can find multiple footbaths you can use for free. Make sure you bring a small towel to dry your feet afterwards!
- Hike up Mount Dashi to Visit Onsenji Temple: The hot spring water in Kinosaki Onsen was believed to be healing. And to be allowed into the waters, visitors would have to walk a short pilgrimage halfway up Mount Daishi to visit Onsenji Temple. Those who made it to the temple were given a special ladle, which acted as their ticket to the onsen. Nowadays, it’s no longer required to visit the temple, but it is beautiful, so definitely worth the walk.
- Join a Zen Meditation at Gokurakuji Temple: The Kinosaki Onsen Tourism Board offers some very unique experiences in the town, including a traditional straw crafting workshop and a Zen meditation with the head of Gokurakuji Temple. The temple itself is beautiful, with a well-kept Zen garden at the front. The Zen meditation was incredible, and we got to chat with the head monk for a bit afterwards. It was such a special experience, and one I’d highly recommend booking.
- Stay Overnight in an Authentic Ryokan: Staying in Kinosaki Onsen for one night during your three weeks in Japan gives you the opportunity to sleep in a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan. There are 70+ ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen, so more than enough choice. We stayed in Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei, which was amazing!