Onsen · Kansai

Arima Onsen

Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo♨ Kinsen: iron-containing sodium-chloride strong saline high-temperature spring. Ginsen: carbonated spring and radium spring

Overview

An onsen area over the mountains from central Kobe, counted among Japan's three oldest hot springs. It has two kinds of water: the brown Kinsen (gold spring), containing iron and salt, and the clear, colorless Ginsen (silver spring). It is about 30 minutes by train from Sannomiya, making it an easy day trip from Osaka or Kobe.

The onsen town lies in the mountains on the north side of Mt. Rokko and has long been loved as a retreat close to the cities of Kansai. At the public bathhouses you can bathe in the brown Kinsen at Kin no Yu and the clear Ginsen at Gin no Yu, and a combined ticket for both is available. Next to Kin no Yu is a free foot bath, easy to stop by while strolling.

Location: Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Official website: https://www.arima-onsen.com/

Nearby area

Kobe & Arima OnsenWeather and what to wear in Kobe & Arima Onsen →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Public bath

Kin no Yu

Price: Adults ¥800 (weekdays ¥650), elementary and junior high school students ¥350, preschoolers free; Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu combined ticket ¥1,200 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 8:00–22:00 (last entry 21:30)
Closed: Second and fourth Tuesdays (open on public holidays, closed the following day), January 1
Note: Brown Kinsen water. Entry may be restricted when crowded
Official site: https://arimaspa-kingin.jp/kin-01.htm

Public bath

Gin no Yu

Price: Adults ¥700 (weekdays ¥550), elementary and junior high school students ¥300 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Closed: First and third Tuesdays (open on public holidays, closed the following day), January 1
Note: Clear, colorless Ginsen water
Official site: https://www.arima-onsen.com/pickup/47/3538/

Foot bath

Kin no Yu Foot Bath

Price: Free (as of October 2026)
Hours: Same as Kin no Yu's opening hours
Closed: Second and fourth Tuesdays
Note: Next to Kin no Yu
Official site: https://arimaspa-kingin.jp/kin-01.htm

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

There is no official guidance for the onsen area as a whole on bathing with tattoos. Policies vary by facility, so please check with each facility

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Kinsen: iron-containing sodium-chloride strong saline high-temperature spring. Ginsen: carbonated spring and radium spring

Kin no Yu lists indications such as neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, poor circulation and fatigue recovery

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Pour hot water over yourself before getting into the bath
✓Do not put towels in the bath
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area

Sights

Nearby sights

Taiko no Yudono-kan

A museum on the history and culture of Arima Onsen, which Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved. Displays remains of bathtubs and a garden

Zuihoji Park

A park also known as Higurashi no Niwa. It has a stone go board said to have been used by Hideyoshi and a gate moved here from Fushimi Castle

Tsuzumigataki Park

A waterfall where a clear stream from Mt. Rokko tumbles down. Fireflies and kajika frogs in early summer

Tips

Good to know

!Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu are cheaper on weekdays (except peak days)
!If you visit both, the combined ticket is a better deal
!Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu have different closing days

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Arima Onsen Station (Kobe Electric Railway)Kin no Yu is about 5 minutes on foot from the station
From major cities and airports: Sannomiya: Kobe Municipal Subway to Tanigami Station, then transfer to the Kobe Electric Railway (via Arimaguchi) (About 30 minutes)
Shin-Kobe: Arima Express highway bus (About 30 minutes)
JR Osaka Station: JR Kobe Line to Sannomiya, then transfer to the subway and the Kobe Electric Railway (About 1 hour)

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Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Tokyo → Osaka

Fastest: Approx. 2 hr 30 min (shortest 2 hr 21 min)

🚄 Shinkansen✈ Flight🌙 Overnight bus

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Arima OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Arima Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events and festivals in Kobe & Arima Onsen

January–February

Kobe Luminarie

Kansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen

Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)

2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7

See all events →

Attractions

Attractions in Kobe & Arima Onsen

Aquarium

Kobe Suma Sea World

Kansai ・ Suma, Kobe

An aquarium with orcas that opened in Suma Beach Park in 2024. Along with orca and dolphin performances, you can enjoy exhibits of all kinds of marine life. It faces the Suma seaside and has an adjoining hotel.

Zoo

Kobe Animal Kingdom

Kansai ・ Port Island, Kobe

A zoo on Kobe's Port Island where you can interact with flowers and animals. Its exhibits bring you close to the animals, including shoebills, capybaras, and alpacas. It has extensive indoor areas and is easy to reach, about 14 minutes from Sannomiya on the Port Liner.

See all attractions →

Onsen

Onsen towns in Kansai

♨ Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen

Kansai ・ Toyooka, Hyogo

♨ Day use Adults ¥800, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥400 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Nanki-Shirahama Onsen

Kansai ・ Shirahama, Wakayama

♨ Day use Age 3 and up ¥500 (as of October 2026)

♨ Onsen

Nanki-Katsuura Onsen

Kansai ・ Nachikatsuura, Wakayama

♨ Day use Adults ¥2,500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥1,250, towel included (as of October 2026)

Private baths

See all onsen towns →

Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Arima Onsen

Overview