VISIT KOBE

Arima Onsen is among the oldest hot springs in Japan and is one of the Three Ancient Springs mentioned in eighth century literature. With more than 1,400 years of history, the springs were famously revered by Warring States period imperial advisor Toyotomi Hideyoshi and draw tourists from around Japan and worldwide to this day.

Arima Onsen sets itself apart with its two types of spring. One is kinsen (“golden spring”) which produces bronze-coloured water rich in iron and salt, and is reputed to warm the body from the core. The other is ginsen (“silver spring”), producing clear water containing carbonate and radium that is refreshing and gentle. Spring hopping to try the different waters is a unique experience at Arima Onsen.

The seasonally-changing landscape is another charm here. The cherry blossoms of spring, the bright greens of summer, reds and golds in autumn and the snowscapes of winter mean that you will find the harmonious views of a hot spring resort in a natural setting all year round. Walking cobbled sloping streets past timbered ryokan and period souvenir shops is an immersion in the real Japan.

Arima Onsen is very easy to reach. From downtown Kobe, the combined subway and train journey takes just 30 minutes. If you are nervous about changing trains, buses travel direct to Arima from all major centers of the Kansai region.

[Bus information]

Highlights of the spa town

Timbered machiya townhouses line the cobbled streets of Arima Onsen, a town dotted with shrines and temples worthy of its long history. Just walking around is enough to gain a strong sense of “Japan’s oldest hot spring”. Tour all seven springs, beginning with Tenjin hot spring, to get a real taste of the power with which the steaming waters gush forth from deep underground.

Also remaining is the culture of Arima geiko, female artists who perform the traditional dance and music of Arima Onsen. Public dance performances are held and there is a café in town where it is possible to meet geiko. In a town that lives and breathes history and culture, a walk can be a special experience indeed.

[Sights of the district]

Dining information

Wandering around town and encountering amazing eats is a great joy of a trip to Arima Onsen. The sloping steam-laced streets are lined with attractive products for sale that are not found anywhere else, be it rich gelato, Japanese-style sweets made with tansan senbei (carbonated crackers), freshly fried Kobe beef croquettes or Akashiyaki octopus dumplings seasoned with Japanese sansho pepper. Enjoy a snack while out walking, then drop into an eatery or izakaya for a traditional meal, take the weight off in a stylish café, or even savour a kaiseki meal at an old-time traditional ryokan: the depth of the offering means you can make the eating choices that best suit the occasion, making your trip something special.

Day-use hot springs

After walking, eating and having fun, freshen up in mind and body at a day-use hot spring. Between outings, drop by any outdoor public baths in Arima Onsen, ryokans or hotels, many of which accept visiting bathers. Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu are very popular among tourists and permit fashion tattoos. Bathing during a trip soothes aches and pains and relieves fatigue, ideal preparation for the next stage of the journey.

Selecting a souvenir that will remind you of your trip to Arima Onsen is another delight. Tansan senbei (carbonated crackers) are a must, beloved to this day for their light texture and gentle sweetness. The fizz of sparkling spring water creates a taste found only at Arima. For foodies, anything with the hit of spice and aroma from sansho pepper will go down well. Products like sansho miso paste and chirimen sansho (young sardines simmered in soy and sansho) are fabulous with rice or drinking snacks.

As for arts and crafts, Arima fude (brushes) shine as a traditional craft. Made individually by the craftsman, they are cherished not just for calligraphy but for art. Handcrafted bambooworks are another gem that gain character with use, a popular souvenir redolent of Japanese craft culture. So from quick snacks to authentic craft products, there is a broad and heartwarming selection to choose from.

If you are coming all the way to Arima, you cannot do better than leaning into the extraordinary experience by staying in a traditional hot spring ryokan. Spreading out with friends or family in a nice, big tatami mat-floor room is something you will never find in a business hotel. Change into a yukata robe after your bath and find total relaxation and a uniquely Japanese feeling. Later, dine on melt-in-the-mouth Kobe wagyu beef, sit down for a kaiseki meal for the full gamut of local produce and savour the aromatic local sake. The steam and the gourmet dishes will forge unforgettable memories of Arima Onsen.

After your revival in the hot springs, head out into nature or indulge in some shopping and expand your horizons – and step up the fun.

We hope you have a better idea of the charms of Arima Onsen now – a town that is packed with delights from hot spring-hopping and strolls to gourmet snacks, dining and souvenirs. After a day full of activity, be refreshed by a soak in the hot spring. Arima Onsen is a destination not to be overlooked for a special trip to remember with family, friends or that special someone.