Kinosaki Onsen

The murmuring of the Ohtani River that flows through the hot spring town, the willow trees that color the riverside, and the stone drum bridge... Castle Town Onsen, which has a history of about 1,300 years since its opening, offers a landscape full of emotion. Castle Town Onsen has the concept of "the whole town as a large hot spring inn". If the inn is the guest room, the seven public baths are the large baths, the souvenir shops are the stores, and the roads that run through the town are the corridors, all part of the "hot spring inn" that is Castle Town Onsen. The beautiful scenery that the local people have cooperated to preserve spreads out. We recommend strolling around the hot spring town in a yukata. You can rent one from your accommodation or even rent a designer yukata from a specialty shop. The hot spring town is centered around seven public baths, and even the farthest ones are about a 20-minute walk apart. You can easily tour the town in a yukata and geta sandals.

When it comes to Kinosaki Onsen, its seven outdoor hot springs (public baths) are famous. Despite all being within a 20-minute walk, each has its own unique characteristics such as water temperature, appearance, opening date, and even blessings, making it a must-visit spot while wearing a yukata. The oldest is "Mandara-yu," which is said to have originated from the time when Dochi Shonin chanted the Hachimandara-kyo sutra for 1,000 days and the hot spring boiled over, marking the beginning of Kinosaki Onsen. It's also known as a hot spring for business prosperity, abundant harvests, and fulfilling one's wishes. Other hot springs include "Kono-yu," where legend has it that storks used to heal their wounds, "Gosho-no-yu," where records show that Emperor Go-Sakuramachi bathed in the Kamakura period, "Ichino-yu," which was praised as the best hot spring in the country by a famous doctor in the Edo period, "Yanagi-yu," a small but charming hot spring that is popular among visitors, "Jizo-yu," which is said to have originated from Jizo Bosatsu emerging from the spring source, and "Ekisha Onsen Satonoyu," the newest hot spring with a free foot bath near the station. The entrance fee for all of them is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children, and there's also a one-day bathing passport available for 1,500 yen. Find your favorite hot spring and enjoy!

One of the joys of strolling through a hot spring town is enjoying street food! Takeout food made with local specialties is abundant. At the specialty shop for Tajima beef, a brand of beef, called "Tajima Beef Delica Chaya," you can try their famous Tajima beef buns. This delicacy wraps the taste of luxurious meat in a slightly sweet dough. For sweets, the local confectionery shop "Enzan Karyo" sells "Yuuagari Cheese Tart," which matches crispy tart crust with smooth and rich cheese cream. For a limited time, they also sell tarts with a drawing of the famous local crab. As for the classic hot spring egg, head to "Kinosaki Gelato Cafe Chaya." You can buy pesticide-free eggs on the spot and enjoy them at your desired firmness by dipping them in the hot spring water.

While Kinosaki Onsen is a historic town, there are also many stylish cafes where you can take a break. "Kinosaki Vinegar" is a drink bar where you can enjoy a refreshing drink made from vinegar and fruit juice. It's popular to take a break after bathing and enjoy a refreshing drink. "OFF. KINOSAKI" is a cafe bar located in a quiet place one street away from the main street of Kinosaki Onsen, which is the main street for strolling around the hot spring town. In a sophisticated space, you can enjoy specialty coffee, natural wine, a la carte menu and sweets made from local ingredients. In addition, there are many cafes and coffee shops perfect for stopping by during a stroll around the hot spring town, so you can enjoy a leisurely walk while taking a break.

The Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway, located on the west side of Kinosaki Onsen town, is one of the town's specialties. It connects the town to the summit of Mt. Taishi. From the summit, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the town's streetscape, the Sea of Japan, the Enyama River that flows into the sea, and the natural beauty that surrounds them. The ropeway has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide, and the view is definitely worth seeing. At the summit, there is also a cafe called "Mihara Terrace Cafe" that serves freshly roasted coffee, sweets, and hot dogs. Enjoy the view from the cafe's glass walls while savoring your treats. You can also try your luck at the "Kawara Throw," where hitting the target is said to grant your wish. If you get off at the "Onsenji Station" on the middle of Mt. Taishi, you can visit "Sueyama Onsenji," the oldest temple in the Tajima region. It is said that people used to visit the temple before taking a bath in the hot springs. You can also experience the bathing method that has been passed down since ancient times. Let's show our gratitude for the blessings of the still-thriving hot springs by visiting the temple.

Surrounded by mountains and facing the Sea of Japan, Kinosaki Onsen is also a treasure trove of fresh ingredients. Its representative dish is the winter "matsuba crab." Among them, the brand crab with a blue tag is known for being caught in the adjacent Kinosaki Tsuiyama fishing port, and can be enjoyed in various ways such as sashimi, boiled, grilled, and in a hot pot at your accommodation. In addition, there is an abundance of seafood such as spring firefly squid, hatahata, and autumn nodoguro throughout the year. As for land-based cuisine, you can enjoy various delicacies such as the high-quality brand beef "Tajima beef," which allows you to savor the original flavor of the meat with its fine marbling, and the brand rice "Kounotori Ikumu Omomi" which is grown without pesticides in pursuit of coexisting with the once-endangered storks. You can enjoy the taste of the season throughout the year.