Hot Spring Baths
About the hot spring baths of Kinosaki Onsen
Legend has it that storks would bathe in the marshes of Kinosaki to heal their wounds. Later, bath houses were built over these very sites to take advantage of the healing waters. Since then Kinosaki has become a top onsen destination in the Kansai region.
Nowadays there are numerous ryokan in the area, all with their own baths, but the real draw to Kinosaki are its seven public bath houses (sotoyu). Also scattered throughout town are some beautiful foot baths (ashiyu) and spring water drinking fountains.
Kinosaki's public bath houses
Visitors staying at a local ryokan can use Kinosaki's seven public bath houses for free between check-in and check-out with a special pass that they receive from their ryokan. In fact, many guests skip their ryokan's bath in favor of a sotoyu meguri (bath stroll), walking around sampling the various public baths. In the past it was also customary to visit Onsenji Temple to say a prayer before bathing.
Visitors who do not stay overnight may consider purchasing the Yumepa ticket for 1300 yen, which provides them with unlimited admission to all of the town's seven public baths on one calendar day. The ticket can be purchased at each bath. Alternatively, it is possible to buy tickets for just single bath houses for 700 yen (800 yen for Satono-yu).
When visiting public baths, it is recommended that you bring your own towels or towels provided by the ryokan you are staying at, though towels are also available for purchase or rental at bath houses. Soap and shampoo are provided within the baths.
Getting there and around
Kinosaki's seven public baths are scattered across the town, about 100 to 400 meters apart from each other. All can be reached on foot. It takes about 15-25 minutes to walk from the station to the most distant bath house, Kono-yu.
How to get to and around Kinosaki Onsen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kinosaki
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Mikiya RyokanA wooden ryokan with over 300 years. Famous novelist for ''At Kinosaki'' Shiga Naoya stayed. Free pick-up and WiFi available.View siteSponsored -
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Nishimuraya HonkanTraditional ryokan in heart of Kinosaki with large Japanese garden. Member of Relais & Chateaux, awarded ''best onsen ryokan'' in Japan.View siteSponsored
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Top rated in Kinosaki
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Nishimuraya HonkanBoasting a 160-year history and a beautiful garden, Nishimuraya Honkan offers hot-spring baths and Japanese rooms just 1 km from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station. A gallery with traditional artwork is featured. Rooms at Nishimuraya Honkan Ryokan have traditional futon bedding and tatami (woven-straw) floors. Each is air-conditioned and comes with a tea maker, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. Kinosaki Ropeway and Kinosaki Museum are both a 10-minute walk. Sato-no-yu Outdoor Hot Spring is 900 metres away. Guests can tour nearby hot springs wearing Japanese yukata robes and geta sandals. Seigetsuro Lounge pairs European and Chinese furniture with lovely Japanese garden views. Free WiFi and wired internet are provided in the lobby. Bicycles can be borrowed for free. Dinners usually feature wagyu-beef, and fresh crab in the winter. Japanese-style breakfast is served in the historic dining hall Senrei.View on Booking.com -
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Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only)Well situated in the Kinosaki Onsen district of Toyooka, Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only) is set 2.8 km from Kinumaki Shrine, 4.2 km from Seto Shrine and 4.8 km from North Disaster Earthquake Monument. Featuring a garden, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a housekeeping service for guests. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kehi Shrine is 5.1 km from the guest house, while Nyoiji Temple is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Tajima Airport, 17 km from Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only).View on Booking.com -
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Kobayashiya -Kinosaki Onsen-2.8 km from Kinumaki Shrine, Kobayashiya -Kinosaki Onsen- is a recently renovated property located in Toyooka and provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. The 4-star ryokan has garden views and is 4.2 km from Seto Shrine. The ryokan features parking on-site, a hot spring bath and a housekeeping service. The units at the ryokan are equipped with a seating area, a TV and a safety deposit box. The ryokan offers certain units with river views, and the units have a kettle. At the ryokan, all units come with bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. At the property, there is an on-site modern restaurant serving dinner and a selection of vegetarian options. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. North Disaster Earthquake Monument is 4.8 km from Kobayashiya -Kinosaki Onsen-, while Kehi Shrine is 5.1 km away. Tajima Airport is 17 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Book & Guesthouse HitotomaruBook & Guesthouse Hitotomaru in Toyooka provides adults-only accommodation with a bar and a shared lounge. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring a private entrance, the guest house allows guests to maintain their privacy. All units are fitted with air conditioning, a microwave, a toaster, a kettle, a shower, slippers and a desk. The units have a shared bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. If you prefer to cook in the comfort of your own place, you can make use of the kitchenette facilities, which include a fridge and kitchenware. Takenohama Beach is 70 metres from the guest house, while Kirihama Beach is 2.6 km from the property. Tajima Airport is 23 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kinosaki Onsen Nishimuraya Hotel ShogetsuteiSet in the woods by Mount Kuruhi, Hotel Shogetsutei is 5 minutes from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station on the free shuttle. It features beautiful outdoor hot-spring baths and a spa. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. The air-conditioned rooms at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei feature nature views. Each has a private bathroom, tea maker and flat-screen TV. Some rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway Station is 650 metres away, and Kono Yu Hot Spring is about a 10-minute walk. Sister hotel Nishimura Honkan, which has additional free-use hot-spring baths, is 700 metres away. Free-use bicycles are provided. Guests can relax at the hot tub or sauna, enjoy a massage or sing at the karaoke bar. In late summer, the outdoor pool is open. Dinners usually feature wagyu-beef, with crab served instead in the winter. A Japanese-style breakfast is also available at the dining room.View on Booking.com -
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TSUCHIYA Kinosaki onsenOffering private natural hot-spring baths, TSUCHIYA Kinosaki onsen is 1 km from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms include futon beds and a flat-screen TV. An onsite cafe is available featuring a gallery for free. Each air-conditioned room at Ryokan Tsuchiya has tatami (woven-straw) flooring. All rooms have a tea maker and an en suite toilet. Bathrooms are shared. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway Station is just 200 metres away. Kinosaki Museum is a 10-minute walk, and Kinosaki Marine Park is a 15-minute drive. Hot spring baths for private use can be used for free.View on Booking.com -
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Kinosaki YamamotoyaYamamotoya is a 7-minute walk from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station and a free 2-way shuttle is provided. It offers Japanese-style accommodation with a brewery, a hot-spring bath and free Wi-Fi. Guests can experience Japanese tea ceremony (needs a reservation, extra charge) and try on traditional Yukata robes. Guestrooms offer both heating and air-conditioning facilities, and futon bedding is provided on a traditional tatami (woven-straw) floor. Each room comes with green tea leaves, an iPod dock and a flat-screen TV. Rooms share a bathroom with other rooms. Luggage storage can be found at the 24-hour front desk. Breakfast and dinner will be served will be served in the dining room. Guests can enjoy local beer at the brewery. Yamamotoya is an 8-minute walk from Kinosaki-Onsen Ropeway Station and Gokuraku-ji Temple. It is within a 12-minute drive from Genbu-do (Genbu Cave) and a 15-minute walk from Kinosaki Museum. Free parking is provided on site.View on Booking.com -
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Onishiya SuishoenOnishiya Suisyouen offers beautiful hot-spring baths, a sauna and Japanese garden beside the Maruyama River. Guests at Onishiya Suisyouen Ryokan can experience a traditional Japanese room with futon beds and tatami (woven-straw) flooring, or enjoy a Western-style room. Japanese-style rooms include a tea maker, private bathroom and a satellite TV. All rooms have air conditioning. Kinosaki Onsen Train Station is 1 km from the ryokan, and a free shuttle bus is available. Kinosaki Ropeway is 1.5 km away. Jizoyu Hot Spring is a 10-minute walk, and Ichinoyu Hot Spring is a 15-minute walk. Entertainment options include for relaxation a hot tub and massage services are offered. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the lobby. For meal-inclusive rates, a Japanese breakfast is served at the dining room.View on Booking.com -
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GinkaVast area with 6600 square meters in Kinosaki Onsen, éè ‰~ŽR쉷ò ‹â‰Ô features Japanese style rooms, natural hot springs and Japanese food restaurants. éè ‰~ŽR쉷ò ‹â‰Ô offers 4 different types of natural hot springs including Japanese cypress bath. From the outdoor bath, guests can relax with views of Maruyama river. All guest room at éè ‰~ŽR쉷ò ‹â‰Ô come with Tatami flooring rooms and Tatami sleeping mats. Also TV, fridge and electric kettle are featured. Authentic Japanese cuisine with seasonal local ingredients can be tasted at Tosho. Manemon offers stunning views of Maruyama river and a cup of coffee. Kinosaki-Onsen JR Station is a 10-minute drive away. From Kyoto, it takes 170 minutes by Express train.View on Booking.com -
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MorizuyaFacing the central shopping street of the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring area, Morizuya offers authentic Japanese-style accommodation, hot spring baths and Japanese dining. Guests can wear colourful yukata robes at the property. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Morizuya is a 10-minute drive from Kinosaki Marine World, and a 6-minute walk from Kinosaki Onsen Station. A shuttle service to/from the station is offered. The historical Castle Town Izushi is a 30-minute drive away. Rooms come with futon bedding on tatami (woven mat) flooring and a comfortable seating area. They feature either city or mountain views, and are fitted with an LCD TV, a mini-fridge and a safe. Bathroom facilities are shared and have free toiletries. Guests at Japanese-style hot spring hotel Morizuya can relax in the public indoor and outdoor hot spring bath, including an unique cave-style bath. They can be reserved for private use on weekdays. They can enjoy neighborhood fireworks in Summer. Luggage storage services are offered at the front desk before checking in/after check-out. A Japanese breakfast and a traditional multi-course dinner with local dishes are served in the privacy of the guestroom.View on Booking.com
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