As I wrote in my other blogs, "Onsen, hot spring resorts" and "Shirahama, which is famous for Onsen", there are many hot spring resorts which attract people all over Japan.
Kinosaki Onsen, which is one of my favorite hot spring resorts, is located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture (next prefecture of Kyoto Prefecture).
Its most popular attractive point is that there are 7 different public onsens and people can enjoy walking along a river which has willow trees on both sides and visiting those onsens.
In Kinosaki area, there are about 70 ryokans, Japanese style hotels which have bathhouses inside of their buildings. People who stay at those ryokan also visit 7 public onsens, wearing yukata (casual cotton kimono of ryokans) which are lent out, as many times as they want.
Moreover, people who don't stay at ryokans in the area can also enjoy visiting 7 public onsens on a day trip. (You can choose only one public onsen among the 7, or enjoy as many times as you want if you buy a special one-day ticket, "Yumeba".)
You can get your money's worth if you take more than 2 public onsens.
"Mandara-yu" is called "One wish for a lifetime onsen". It is recommended to take this bath at your life milestones. Your lifelong wish will come true. When a holy priest chanted sutra for 1000 days at this place long time ago, hot spring sprang.
"Kou no yu" has a long history. Long long ago, a stork which injured its leg healed the wound taking this onsen. This onsen will give you happy marriage, immortality and invite happiness. You can enjoy its open-air-bath even on rainy days.
"Yanagi yu (Willow yu)" is the smallest onsen of the 7, however, you can enjoy its taste...
"Gosho no yu" has a large open-air-bath where you can see waterfall. Long ago, a princess used to have taken this onsen.
"Ichi no yu" is located in the center of this area. It is called "The best on earth". This onsen has been here since 17~18 century. You can enjoy onsen set in cave.
Besides these, there are "Jizo yu" (Jizo, guardian deity of children) which brings you peace and prosperity in the household, and "Sato no yu". "Sato no yu" is located next to JR Kinosaki Onsen Station, so, you can take this bath while you are waiting for your train. You can also enjoy footbath at the entrance of "Sato no yu".
Kinosaki Onsen faces the Sea of Japan, so you can taste the fresh ingredients of that area, such as fish and crabs.
Tajima Beef which is high-quality Wagyu beef is also available in this area.
Near Kinosaki Onsen, there is "Amanohashidate", which is a famous sandbar of 3.2 kilometers. "Amanohashidate", or "The Heavenly Bridge" was named after the upside-down view through the legs which looks like a bridge floating up to the air. It's one of the three scenic spots of Japan.
Izushi is a castle town which is also nearby, is famous for its original style of soba, Japanese buck wheat noodles. You can drop in, if you drive a car...
If you take a taxi, you can visit Tottori Sand Dunes in 1 and half hours from Kinosaki Onsen.
It takes 3 hours from Osaka or Kyoto to Kinosaki Onsen by car. From Kyoto, you can take JR limited express train to Kinosaki Onsen. (It takes about 2 and half hours.)
How about visiting Kinosaki Onsen and soaking yourself in a large bathtub at public onsen on your next trip to Japan? Onsen, hot springs are said to have lots of benefits. They help recovery from physical exhaustion and improve your health.
(Please be noted that you are not allowed to wear a swimsuit when you go into onsen in Japan. And in many cases, I'm sorry, but people with tattos are not able to go into onsen...)
I hope that you will find other pleasure in Japan!!!
(Jan 2022)
