Arima Onsen

Arima Onsen is worth your visit. What makes it special compared to other onsen (hot spring) towns in Japan is that most hot springs get their heat from nearby volcanoes. But not Arima Onsen! It gets its hot springs from ancient seawater buried 60 kilometers underground. Plus, the town offers two unique types of hot spring water. One is called Kinsen, or "gold water." It's brown because it has iron in it and is good for your skin and sore muscles. The other is called Ginsen, or "silver water." It's clear and has special minerals that help with muscle and joint pain.

Most public baths at Arima Onsen don’t allow tattoos. But don’t worry—if you book a private onsen at a ryokan, you’ll have a much better chance of enjoying the hot springs with your tattoos. Many ryokans are more flexible, especially if you cover your tattoos with stickers or patches. It's a good idea to check with the specific onsen before you go. This way, you can learn about their tattoo policy and plan your visit better.

To get to Arima Onsen from Kobe, hop on a train at Shin-Kobe Station and ride to Tanigami Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line. From there, switch trains and head straight to Arima Onsen Station. The whole trip takes around 30 minutes. Another option is to catch a bus from Sannomiya Station in Kobe’s city center. The bus ride also takes about 30 minutes. Once you get there, the town is small enough to walk around and explore.

Spending one or two nights in Arima Onsen is perfect for enjoying everything it offers. You will have enough time to relax in different hot springs like the Gold Spring (kin no yu) and Silver Spring (gin no yu), check out local shops, and visit nearby attractions. If you don’t have much time, a day trip from Kobe or Osaka works too, since it's easy to get there by public transport.

When you visit Arima Onsen, consider staying at the Arima Grand Hotel. It has lots of bathing facilities with a great view. For a more traditional stay, you can pick one of the many ryokans. These are traditional Japanese inns with special Japanese-style rooms and meals. They also have private open-air baths and hot spring facilities for you to enjoy. No matter where you stay, most places are close to famous bathhouses like Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu, so you can easily explore the area.

When you visit Arima Onsen, be sure to try the local treat, carbonated rice crackers. They're made with the area's famous ginsen waters and taste amazing! You also shouldn't miss Kobe beef. Many local inns, called ryokans, or restaurants serve this delicious meat. A lot of ryokans also include kaiseki meals in their stay packages, which are fancy meals with a mix of seasonal dishes. Eating in Arima Onsen is one of the best parts of the trip!

The best time to visit Arima Onsen is during the spring and autumn seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms add a beautiful touch to the town. In autumn, the leaves change color and create a beautiful scene for the hot springs. Plus, in autumn, there’s the Arima Onsen Autumn Festival. During the festival, you can see a parade with a mikoshi (a sacred palanquin) and a lion dance that goes from Tousen-jinjya Shrine through the town.