Arima Onsen Hot spring hopping

Arima Onsen is considered one of the top three hot springs in Japan and is known as one of the oldest.
It is a uniquely Japanese hot spring resort town where you can stroll around the charming streets, sample some of the local food on the way, and awaken your senses to scenes of free-flowing hot spring water.

Useful websites with tourist information about Arima Onsen

Getting the most out of Arima Onsen

Tip 1
Arima Onsen has two different hot spring sources that respectively supply the two public bath houses of Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu. Try them both to feel the difference.

Two famous hot spring sources bubble to the surface in Arima Onsen—kinsen (gold) and ginsen (silver).
Both reportedly have different therapeutic benefits, so choose the one that suits your needs.
The two public bath houses Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu are open to day trip visitors.
A free hot spring foot bath is also located next to Kin no Yu.

Comparing kinsen and ginsen

The golden brown kinsen spring is characterized by high levels of salt and iron and is so cloudy that your submerged body cannot be seen while bathing. As the concentration of salt is much higher than seawater, it is very stimulating on the skin and may create somewhat of a tingling sensation, but the kinsen hot spring waters create a thin film over the skin to keep it moisturized even after you get out of the bath.

Water from the silver ginsen spring is colorless, transparent, and silky smooth.
But it is not just the color that is different—the ginsen hot spring waters have a completely different texture than the kinsen. The ginsen hot spring really warms your body temperature and leaves you feeling super refreshed after you get out.

There is even a spa resort offering 26 different types of baths.

TAIKOU NO YU website

Getting to Arima Onsen from Kobe

Transportation: Highway bus
Travel Time: 25 mins (one-way)

Kobe Airport
Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal
Shin-Kobe Station

Fare from Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal / Shin Kobe Station: 600 yen(one-way)
Arima Onsen

Tip 2
Stroll around the town whilst sampling the local delicacies

Try some of the hot spring sweets

Sake manju — steamed buns made with Japanese rice wine

Tansan senbei — rice crackers made with carbonated spring water
Let's challenge! Time limit to enjoy carbonation is 3 seconds.

Getting the most out of Arima Onsen

Comparing kinsen and ginsen

Getting to Arima Onsen from Kobe

Kobe Airport

Shinki Bus Kobe Sannomiya Bus Terminal

Shin-Kobe Station

Arima Onsen