Kinosaki
Discover Kinosaki
Kinosaki (城崎) is an onsen (hot spring) town in the Kansai region of Japan, and now part of the city of Toyooka. While Kinosaki has been bundled together with Toyooka for administrative purposes, it remains a geographically and culturally distinct polity within the wider city. Kinosaki (also referred to as Kinosaki Onsen) is one of the earliest onsen towns in Japan. The first hot springs came into use in the 8th century and it has been a well known onsen destination ever since. It is said that storks were seen healing their wounds in the hot spring waters, and the Kinosaki hot spring water have been known for its healing qualities ever since.
What to Experience in Kinosaki
Taste of Kinosaki...
There are not many izakayas in the main stretch of town. It is more common to buy cold bottles of beer to be enjoyed after a soaking session or while walking in-between the bath houses. Ryokan will also serve alcohol. It is strongly recommended that you stay in one of the many traditional and wonderfully maintained ryokans while in Kinosaki. Standard ryokan rates include breakfast and dinner, but you can also find certain ryokans that offer the room only to reduce costs, as most ryokans are not cheap. Most offer yuakata for lounging around the town and the bathhouses. Some ryokan also offer private onsen, which can be especially useful if you have tattoos or want to bathe with a friend of the opposite sex. Hotels are available in the area, but transportation to and back from the town can be an issue if you are not driving.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple Options35.623764134.8134361 Kinosaki Onsen station (城崎温泉駅) is on the JR San'in Main Line from Kyoto and is served by three limited express services from key cities in Kansai. The station is near the core of the town, at the south end of the short main shopping street and most sites are a short walk away. There are several of these each day and reservations are required. It is also possible to travel via local trains, but this is slower and will likely require several changes. All electric services terminate at Kinosaki, so to continue towards Tottori or Yonago, you'll need to change to a diesel train here. There are coin lockers in the station, and the hotel information center in front of the station can also keep your luggage for a fee. There are also daily buses from Osaka to Kinosaki, but the train journey is much more comfortable and scenic, and is the recommended mode of transportation. The town can and should be covered by foot....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The town can and should be covered by foot. If you are simply feeling too relaxed make the stroll to the next bath house, you can also hail one of the few taxis in town. There are also excellent running trails near the main river in town - the Murayama river. Running along the river and among the rice paddies makes for a nice change of pace if you are feeling too guilty lazing around in hot springs all day long. Bicycles are rentable at the SOZORO Tourist Information Center, near the train station, and are a good way to get around and potentially visit some sites that are a bit more far afield, including Kinosaki Marine World to the north, various hiking trails, and the fishing villages around the Maruyama River. The main attractions in Kinosaki are the public bath houses. There are seven of them: Eat, kick back and soak, then eat more. If you've come to this town for something other than relaxing, you came to the wrong town! There are not many izakayas in the main stretch of town.
Where to Stay
It is strongly recommended that you stay in one of the many traditional and wonderfully maintained ryokans while in Kinosaki. Standard ryokan rates include breakfast and dinner, but you can also find certain ryokans that offer the room only to reduce costs, as most ryokans are not cheap. Most offer yuakata for lounging around the town and the bathhouses. Some ryokan also offer private onsen, which can be especially useful if you have tattoos or want to bathe with a friend of the opposite sex. Hotels are available in the area, but transportation to and back from the town can be an issue if you are not driving.
Money & Budget
There are not many izakayas in the main stretch of town. It is more common to buy cold bottles of beer to be enjoyed after a soaking session or while walking in-between the bath houses. Ryokan will also serve alcohol. It is strongly recommended that you stay in one of the many traditional and wonderfully maintained ryokans while in Kinosaki. Standard ryokan rates include breakfast and dinner, but you can also find certain ryokans that offer the room only to reduce costs, as most ryokans are not cheap. Most offer yuakata for lounging around the town and the bathhouses. Some ryokan also offer private onsen, which can be especially useful if you have tattoos or want to bathe with a friend of the opposite sex.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Kinosaki
A private onsen in Japan, in Kinosaki at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei.
people standing in front of store
Traditional japanese buildings with tiled roofs
A picturesque canal lined with traditional buildings and a bridge.
Stone steps ascend through a forest lined with trees.
A quiet street lined with traditional japanese houses.
A private onsen in Japan, in Kinosaki at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei.
people standing in front of store
Traditional japanese buildings with tiled roofs
A picturesque canal lined with traditional buildings and a bridge.
Stone steps ascend through a forest lined with trees.
A quiet street lined with traditional japanese houses.
A private onsen in Japan, in Kinosaki at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei.