Kinosaki Onsen (Hot Springs)

Hyogo Prefecture

Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring in Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. It has a long history dating back to before the Heian period. During the Edo period, it was called “Kaidai Ichisen” (First Spring in the Sea), and a monument remains today. Along with Arima Onsen and Yumura Onsen, it is also one of Hyogo Prefecture’s most representative hot springs.

It is a hot spring where you can visit the seven outdoor baths. Highly praised the spring water quality and changed the name to meninge best in the sea” (Ichi-no-Yu).

https://visitkinosaki.com/access/

Genbudo Park

It is from lava flowing from volcanic activity 1.6 million years ago. It consists of Five caves that appeared 6000 years ago. The appearance of countless hexagonal basalt stones piled up gives off a mysterious beauty. The highlight is the stone pillar “columnar joint.” It is also a famous power spot, with people visiting to make wishes for the strangely shaped rocks and scenic beauty.

How to go to Genbudo Caves?

~5 minutes by train to Genbudo station then ~5 minutes by ferry to cross Maruyama River (¥400 (~US$2.74) one way)
~10 minutes by car or taxi at the address: 1339, Akaishi, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo Prefecture, 668-0801.
~20 minutes by bicycle.
~20 minutes by bicycle.
https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/genbudo-museum-park/

Kinosaki Rope way

The Kinosaki Ropeway connects approximately 680 meters from Sanroku Station to the summit of Mt. Daishi. In addition to enjoying the seasonal scenery during the 7-minute aerial walk, there are many other attractions at Onsenji Station, including the main hall of Onsenji Temple and the Kinosaki Museum of Art. The summit is 231 meters above sea level, and if the weather is good, you can see the hot spring town and the Sea of Japan.

https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/ropeway/

Gosho no Yu

The hot spring town has seven public baths, including the open-air bath with a view, The Rock- Cut Bath.
You can use them for free if you stay at an inn member of the association. One of the most popular is the Gosho-no-Yu, also known as the “sky bath” due to its high ceiling. The exterior is reminiscent of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. There are cypress baths and rock baths.

Business Hours7:00am – 11:00pmHolidays / ClosedThursdaysDistance from Station12 minute walkEntrance FeeAdult 800 yen / Child (~12yrs) 400 yen

Yuhigaura coast

The sunset on the horizon is so beautiful that it’s considered one of Japan’s top 100 sunsets. If you’re lucky, you might be able to witness the “magic hour” when the sky and sea glow red. The beach swing is available from April to the end of October. Having to say that, You can go during the off-season when there are fewer people and in the summer.

Car: From Sanin Kinki Expressway Nodagawa Omiya Road, get off at Kyotango Omiya Interchange, head straight and turn right onto National Highway 312, turn left onto National Highway 482, turn right onto Prefectural Highway 17 turn left onto National Highway 178, and follow the signs for Hamazume Yuhigaura Beach.

Izushi castle ruins

The ruins of Izushi Castle, built in a stepped style with Inaridai, Honmaru, and Yamazato Kuruwa arranged tiered, offering a panoramic view of Izushi. Thirty-seven vermilion torii gates contrast with the white castle walls. It is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

Access To Izushi – how to get to Izushi CastleThe nearest train station to Izushi Castle is Toyooka on the Sanin Main Line, about 2 hours, 10 minutes from Kyoto Station, and 1 hour 30 minutes from Himeji. Izushi is a 45-minute bus ride by regular bus from Toyooka.

Takeda castle ruins

It is on top of Mt. Kojo at an altitude of 353.7m. It is one of Japan’s most extensive surviving stone wall ruins and one of Japan’s top 100 castles. On clear early mornings from autumn to winter, morning mist forms in the surrounding area, and the appearance of floating in a sea of clouds is just like a “castle in the sky.”

How to Get There. The closest station is Takeda Station, located at the base of the the castle remains. From Himeji Station, take the JR Bantan Line to Takeda Station. From Takeda Station, it is a 40-minute walk to the castle ruins, or a 20-minute bus ride followed by a 20-minute walk.

Japanese Oni Exchange Museum

Its distinctive building is reminiscent of a red demon. It exhibits materials related to devils from Japan and abroad, such as onigawara tiles, demon masks from various places, and picture scrolls of demon legends.

Get off at Fukuchiyama IC on the Maizuru Wakasa Expressway or Maizuru Oe IC on the Kyoto Transit Expressway. Take National Route 175 to Oemachi, Fukuchiyama City. Then take Prefectural Route 9 from National Route 175 toward Miyazu. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last admission 4:30 p.m.)

Amanohashidate View Land

It overlooks Amanohashidate from the south. From the observation deck, you can see a dynamic figure called Hiryukan. It’s also fun to view it from cycle cars and Ferris wheels.

Amanohashidate Viewland is atop Mt. Monju and can be reached via cable car or chair lift. The cable car chair lift is only a short walk from Amanohashidate Station, making it easy to catch panoramic views of Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views.

Kanabiki Falls

The waterfall is considered one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. Several waterfalls slide down the rock face of Mt. Kanebiki, approximately 20m wide and 40m high. Fudo-do Hall stands near the waterfall basin—the famous Kanabiki Falls Festival from the last Sunday of July.

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station (about 2 hours and 10 minutes), then take a local train to Miyazu Station (about 2 hours). Kanabiki Waterfall is a 25 minute walk from Miyazu Station.

Where to Stay

http://www.morizuya.com/en/

Morizuya
Nishimura Honkan
Mikuniya
Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei
Hanakouji Saigetsu
Kinosaki Yamamotoya
Tajimaya
Onishiya Suishoen
Tsubakino Ryokan
Yuraku Kinosaki Spa & Gardens
Utsuroi Tsuchiya Annex
Kobayashiya

https://travel.rakuten.com/usa/en-us/hotel_list/cnt_japan/sub_hyogo_prefecture/hsp_kinosaki_hot_spring/?scid=we_trv_paid_gsem&gclid=CjwKCAjw3oqoBhAjEiwA_UaLtkDDvNdmtOIMkvM30PH_Sm40w0jAihZHyEPVhw_yzdi7mqOwEABuShoCrZoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gourmet

Tajima Beef is known as Motoushi (calf: a calf shipped when it is about six months old) of Kobe Beef, Matsuzaka Beef, and Omi Beef, which are high-quality Wagyu beef.
“Tajima beef,” which is the origin of such branded wagyu beef, has the original flavor of meat, a unique aroma, and a smooth texture, and the meaty texture is the ultimate addictive taste.
The high-quality meat melts in your mouth with its low melting point and marbling.
Steak, shabu-shabu, and grilled nigiri are some of the best ways to enjoy it.

Snow crab is called “matsuba crab” in the San’in region. Among Matsuba crabs, local crabs landed at the Kinosaki Tsuiyama fishing port are called Tsuiyama crabs.
“Tsuiyama Gani” is one of the famous brands with a long history. Enjoy it in various ways, including sashimi, boiling, grilling, and hot pot.

Soft Kobo (Ice Cream)

When you think of Kinosaki Onsen, the main focus is on fresh seafood, but you also want to try some delicious sweets.
For such people, we recommend Sofuto Kobo, where you can eat delicious sweets and soft-serve ice cream.

The soft-serve ice cream made with fresh milk has a rich taste without being too sweet.