[Hyogo Tajima] Kinosaki Onsen: A townscape with a typical Japanese atmosphere, a two-star hot spring town in the Michelin Green Guide Japon.

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy the Michelin Green Guide Japan one-star view from Mt. Daishi: Kinosaki Ropeway
• Origin of Kinosaki Onsen: Mandarayu
• Travel back in time to old Japan! Michelin Green Guide Japan 2-star townscape: Kinosaki Onsen
• Recommended photogenic spot by local guide: Otani River
• Summary of basic information for each spot
• Access to Kinosaki Onsen

Enjoy the Michelin Green Guide Japan one-star view from Mt. Daishi: Kinosaki Ropeway

The Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway has three stops: Sanroku Station, Intermediate Station, and Summit Station. It takes about 7 minutes from Sanroku Station to Sancho Station. There is also a route where you get off at the intermediate station and go up the mountain. Recommended during spring and autumn, when you can see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

The view from the top of Mt. Daishi, where the Kinosaki Ropeway is located, was awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan for its magnificent and splendid view.

At the intermediate station is Onsenji Temple, which is the guardian temple of Kinosaki Onsen. It is said that in the past, there was a tradition of climbing a mountain and visiting a hot spring temple before taking a bath at Kinosaki Onsen. After visiting the shrine, it is also a tradition to learn about ancient bathing etiquette at a hot spring temple and receive a hot water scoop.

The end of the ropeway is the summit of Mt. Daishi - Sancho Station. From the observation deck at the top of the mountain, you can see the magnificent Sea of ​​Japan. As expected, it is a one-star spot in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

One of the specialties at the top of the Kinosaki Ropeway is ``Kawarake Nage.'' As a Japanese custom, throwing a ceramic vessel from a high place and breaking it is said to ward off evil spirits. It is also said that if you hit the red target set far away, your wish will come true! You can buy kawarake at the mountaintop cafe, so be sure to throw some kawarake and experience the Japanese custom!

Kawarake (3 pieces 300 yen)

Origin of Kinosaki Onsen: Mandarayu

There are seven famous hot springs in Kinosaki Onsen. Each hot spring has its own unique characteristics and benefits, as well as an interesting origin story.

Among them, we will introduce "Mandara no Yu" this time. Mandarayu is the oldest hot spring in Kinosaki Onsen, and is known as the origin of Kinosaki Onsen. Its origins date back to about 1,300 years ago, when the monk Dochi Shonin built a hermitage on the site of today's Mandara Hot Spring, believing in a message to save patients suffering from incurable diseases. ``Kinosaki Onsen'' was founded when people continued to chant ``Sutras'' and prayed, and a spiritual spring gushed out.

Mandara-yu is known as a ``hot spring that brings a wish for a lifetime,'' so if you use it before an important life event, game, or entrance exam, you may be able to bring good luck!

We recommend that you research in advance how to take a bath and how to use the inn, as English may not be sufficient.

In Japan, people with tattoos are often not allowed to enter hot springs, but Kinosaki Onsen doesn't have that rule, so even people with tattoos can easily enjoy the hot springs!

Travel back in time to old Japan! Michelin Green Guide Japan 2-star townscape: Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen Town is lined with old-fashioned buildings, where you can enjoy the retro atmosphere of Japan. According to the local guide, after enjoying the hot springs, many people wear hot spring yukata and take a walk around the hot spring town, making it feel like you have traveled back in time to old Japan.

According to our guide, the game center at night is very popular. One of the attractions is the game center with a Showa-era atmosphere and long business hours.

Recommended photogenic spot by local guide: Otani River

This is the most photogenic place recommended by a local guide, ``Otoshi River''. Here you can take pictures of the sky and river reflected on the water surface like a mirror. The Otani River covered in snow in winter is very beautiful. A quiet snowy landscape spreads out, with white snow piling up on the riverbanks and tree branches. Sparkling ice crystals float on the surface of the frozen river, creating a truly magical sight.

In spring, the Kinosaki Onsen town is colored with cherry blossoms, creating a beautiful sight. The cherry blossoms blooming all over the hot spring town are truly picturesque.

Summary of basic information for each spot

1. SOZORO Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Information

There is a tourist information center that can also accommodate foreign visitors tourists (Japanese and English available). We offer bus ticket sales, bicycle rental, and luggage storage services.

Business hours: 8:45-18:00 (open all year round)

Location: 96 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone: 0796-32-0013

2. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway

Operating hours: First departure 9:10 / Last upbound 16:50 (subject to change depending on weather)

Closed: 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Location: 806-1 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone: 0796-32-2530

3. Kinosaki Onsen Suedaiyama Onsenji Temple

Visiting hours: 9:00 ~ 17:00 *However, it may be closed on days when the ropeway is closed.

Location: 985-2 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone: 0796-32-2669

4. Mandarayu

Business hours: 15:00-23:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

Location: 565 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone: 0796-32-2194

Access to Kinosaki Onsen

By car

■From the Osaka area

Chugoku Expressway ⇒ Yoshikawa JC ⇒ T Maizuru Wakasa Expressway ⇒ Kasuga JCT ⇒ Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway ⇒ Tajima Airport IC ⇒ Prefectural Road 50 ⇒ R312 (about 3 hours 30 minutes)

By train

■From the Osaka area

JR Osaka Station (Limited Express Kounotori) ⇒ Kinosaki Onsen Station (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)

■From the Tokyo area

JR Tokyo Station (JR Shinkansen Nozomi) ⇒ JR Kyoto Station (Limited Express Kinosaki) ⇒ Kinosaki Onsen Station (about 4 hours 40 minutes)

If using a plane

■From the Osaka area

Osaka (Itami) ⇒ Stork Tajima Airport ⇒ Kinosaki Onsen Station (about 1 hour 15 minutes)

■From the Tokyo area

Tokyo (Haneda) ⇒ Osaka (Itami) ⇒ Stork Tajima Airport ⇒ Kinosaki Onsen Station (about 2 hours 25 minutes)