Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen has a long history, dating back to before the Heian period (794-1185), and the elegant scenery and people enjoying the baths in yukata make it seem like a time slip back to old Japan.

Surrounded by the Maruyama River to the east and mountains to the rear on three sides, the hot spring resort is built along the Otani River in the shape of the letter “K”.

The three-story wooden inns on both banks of the river are lined with rows of cherry blossom trees and weeping willow trees, and the traditional stone drum bridges with staircase-like steps, footbaths and drinking fountains located in various parts of the hot spring resort create a hot spring atmosphere.

Kinosaki Onsen has seven public bathhouses with natural hot spring water, called “out-yu.
In the past, inns did not have indoor baths, and guests had to go to outside baths located in various parts of the hot spring resort.

After 1950, almost all inns were equipped with indoor baths, but guests staying at ryokans could use bathing coupons to receive free admission to all outside baths, and the “out-spa tour,” in which visitors tour all the out-spa baths in yukata, became a popular activity.

It is a 20-minute walk to both ends of Kinosaki Hot Spring’s seven out-spa baths, each with a different flavor, and visitors can stroll around the seven baths on foot.

Kounoyu
This is the oldest of the seven hot springs, and legend has it that it was opened during the reign of Emperor Seimei, when a stork was found healing a wound on its foot. The building is in the style of a mountain house, tucked away behind a road. There is also a garden open-air bath.

Mandara-yu
It is said that the source of this hot spring was the hot water that gushed out during the 1,000-day mandala practice of Dochi-shonin, the founder of Onsen-ji Temple. The building is modeled after a Buddhist temple and has an exotic atmosphere with a Chinese gable at the entrance.

Goshoyu
This is said to be the bathhouse where Emperor Go-Horikawa’s sister, Ankamonin, used to bathe. The building is reminiscent of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and has an open-air bath with a sense of spaciousness.

Ichinoyu
Located at the foot of the O-bashi Bridge in the center of the hot spring resort, Ichinoyu is the symbol of Kinosaki. At first glance, the Momoyama-style building reminds one of the Kabuki-za Theater, and has a cave bath. The name comes from the mid-Edo period hot spring scholar Shutenori Kagawa, who praised this hot spring, then called “Shinyu,” as the best in the country. A stone monument proudly proclaiming “Kainai Daiichi Izumi” (the best hot spring in Japan) stands by the entrance.

Yanagi-yu (willow water)
This wooden bathhouse with a Taisho-romantic atmosphere began as hot water that gushed out from under a willow tree.

Jizo Hot Spring
The building has a strong impact as the entrance to the town. The name “Jizo” comes from the time when a Jizo statue appeared from the fountainhead of this hot spring.

Satonoyu
Japan’s largest stationhouse hot spring located right next to JR Kinosaki Station. The Maruyama River can be viewed from the open-air bath on the third floor, and on the second floor there are Japanese and Western-style large baths as well as a bubble bath and various saunas, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of bathing experiences.

As a hot spring near the Japanese coast, it is popular for sea bathing in summer and crab dishes in winter.