Kobe - Arima Onsen

Post date: Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Did you know that Japan’s oldest hot spring is located in Kobe City?

Arima Onsen, known as one of the three famous oldest hot springs in Japan, is located in the mountain side area of Kobe City’s Kita-ku. It is a popular spot as it attracts many tourists and locals. It’s easily accessed as it is located within an hour from the center of Kobe.

How to Reach Arima Osen

Our recommendation in this coming season, should weather permit, is a casual hike to Arima Onsen by climbing the Rokko Mountain, or by taking the cable car up and on the way down the mountain take the ropeway.

Once over the mountain, you can head to Rokko Station by train from the Hankyu Sannomiya Station. From there you get on a bus for Rokko Cable Shita Station, where you will get to ride in a retro classic style cable car, passing through the autumn scenery, that will take you to Rokko Sanjo Station. Once you reach the top of the mountain you will take a short trip, while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery, down the Rokko-Arima Ropeway to Arima Onsen.

Exploring the town of Arima Osen

While it is a good idea to head straight to a hot spring right after your arrival in the town of Arima Onsen, don’t forget to try some of the local specialties such as the rice crackers (called Tansan-senbei) and eat them using the unique local method. While the regular thin and crispy Tansan-senbei is good, we suggest trying one hot out of the oven ( 5 seconds out of the oven,) as it can only be experienced in the town. While enjoying some back ally exploring, there are also stylish cafes and gelato shops that fit the atmosphere of this hot-spring town near Kobe.

Yunohanado Honpo

http://www.yunohana.jp/

Arima Gelateria Stagione

http://arima-stagione.jp/

Onsen Foot baths

The hot spring culture in Japan requires bathing in the nude surrounded by unfamiliar people. This may be surprising and difficult for foreigners who we suggest instead enjoy the foot baths located in Arima Onsen.