Arima Onsen

Celebrated hot spring resort within the city limits

Recommended

4.0 (264)

#8 of 14 most visited in Kobe

Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is a famous hot spring town within the city limits of Kobe, but on the opposite side of Mount Rokko from the city center. The town lies in a natural mountain setting, yet is close enough for Kobe and Osaka residents as an easy day trip or weekend getaway.

Although Arima Onsen has a modern look today and is pretty built up, one can still find several narrow lanes and wooden buildings when strolling around the center of town. Due to its compact size, the small town can be explored entirely on foot, and there are several hot spring sources, nice temples and shrines and a small hot spring museum (200 yen) to be discovered.

With a history of over one thousand years, Arima Onsen is considered one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts and has often stood at or near the top of onsen rankings for Western Japan. The town has two types of hot spring waters which spring up at various sources around town: the Kinsen ("gold water") is colored brown with iron deposits and is said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, while the clear Ginsen ("silver water") contains radium and carbonate and is said to cure various muscle and joint ailments.

Visitors to Arima Onsen can enjoy hot spring bathing at two public bath houses or at the town's many ryokan. Several ryokan open their baths also to non-staying visitors during the day. The admission fee for a daytrip visit to a bath typically ranges between 550 and 3000 yen.

Below is a list of some hot spring baths around Arima Onsen open to day trip visitors:

Kin no Yu

Hours: 8:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:30)
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tues each month (or Wed if Tues is a holiday), Jan 1
Admission: 800 yen (600 yen on regular weekdays)
Combination ticket for Kin no yu and Gin no yu: 1200 yen

Located at the center of town, Kin no Yu is the larger of Arima Onsen's two public bath houses. It features two indoor "gold" water baths of varying temperatures for each gender. Outside the bath house there are a free foot bath (ashiyu) and a drinking fountain.
Gin no Yu

Hours: 9:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:30)
Closed: 1st and 3rd Tues each month (or Wed if Tues is a holiday), Jan 1
Admission: 700 yen (550 yen on regular weekdays)
Combination ticket for Kin no yu and Gin no yu: 1200 yen

Gin no Yu stands further back in the town, and is the smaller of Arima's two public bath houses. It has one large indoor bath for each gender, featuring the clear, "silver" water.
Taiko no Yu•

Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:00)
Closed: Small number or irregular closing days
Admission: 2750 yen (2970 yen on weekends and public holidays)

Part of the Arima View Hotel, the Taiko no Yu is a large modern hot spring facility, featuring a wide variety of indoor and outdoor baths filled with both of Arima's waters. It includes a replica of a historic bath found at the onsen museum, large pots and saunas. In addition, there are massage services, restaurants, shops and rest areas.
Goshobo•

Daytime hours: 11:00 to 14:00
Closed: Mondays (except public holidays)
Daytime admission: 1650 yen
Overnight stay: from 30,000 yen per person including 2 meals

Goshobo, one of Arima's oldest ryokan, opens its baths to non-staying guests during daytime. Its main baths are atmospheric indoor stone pools for each gender, filled with Arima Onsen's famed "golden" hot spring water.

Ratings:

best of the best

best of Japan

outstanding

By train

From Sannomiya or Shin-Kobe Station, take the subway to Tanigami Station (10-15 minutes, 4-5 departures per hour). Then, take the Shintetsu Arima-Sanda Line to Arima-guchi and transfer to the Arima Line to Arima Onsen Station (20 minutes, 4 departures per hour). The entire journey takes 30-40 minutes and costs 690 yen from either Shin-Kobe or Sannomiya stations.

By direct bus from Kobe

Some Shinki Bus express buses from Sannomiya Station bound for the Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets stop at Arima Onsen (bus stop 1 on the map) along the way (25 minutes, 600 yen one way). They also stop at Shin-Kobe (20 minutes, 600 yen to Arima Onsen). There is about one bus per hour (a little less frequent on weekends).

Alternatively, JR Bus operates about hourly highway buses from Shin-Kobe Station (50 minutes) via Sannomiya Station (30 minutes) to Arima Onsen (bus stop 2). The one way trip costs 780 yen. The Japan Rail Pass and other JR passes are not valid on any of these buses.

By direct bus from Osaka

Hankyu Bus and JR Bus operate 1-2 highway buses per hour from Hankyu Umeda Station or JR Osaka Station (60 minutes, 1400 yen) via Shin-Osaka Station (50 minutes, 1250 yen) to Arima Onsen (the JR buses are currently out of service, but there is still about one bus per hour). In Arima, Hankyu Bus uses bus stop 1 on the map, while JR Bus uses bus stop 2. The Japan Rail Pass and other JR passes are not valid on either bus. Online reservations are possible through Japan Bus Online.

By direct bus from Kyoto

Keihan and Hankyu operate a few highway buses per day between Kyoto Station (Hachijo side) and Arima Onsen (bus stop 2 on the map, 70 minutes, 1850 yen one way).

By cablecar and ropeway via Mount Rokko

Take a train along the Hankyu Kobe Line from Sannomiya Station to Rokko Station (7 minutes, 200 yen), from where it is a ten minute, 210 yen bus ride by Kobe City Bus number 16 to the base station of the Rokko Cablecar.

The cablecar ride up the mountain takes ten minutes and costs 600 yen one way or 1100 yen for a round trip ticket. From the top station, take the circular bus line to the top station of the Rokko Arima Ropeway (ten minutes, 260 yen), which brings you down to Arima Onsen (12 minutes, 1030 yen one way, 1850 yen round trip).

If you access Arima Onsen via Mount Rokko, you can save some money by using the "Rokko Arima Katamichi Joshaken" ticket, which includes a one way ride on the cablecar and ropeway plus unlimited use of the circular bus line on Mount Rokko for 1780 yen.

How to get to and around Kobe

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- Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland
  Luxury
  
  Located at the waterfront of Kobe Harborland, Hotel La Suite offers spacious rooms with ocean views and a spa bath. It features concierge service, a French restaurant and massage treatments. Free Wi-Fi/wired internet and free videos on demand are available in the rooms. This hotel was selected as one of Top 25 Hotels in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2013. Luxurious rooms come with a large flat-screen TV, a DVD player and extra long beds. Bathrooms have a TV and a hot tub, some with sea views. Amenities include a bathrobe, a humidifier with aroma diffuser and Phytomer brand bath salt. Guests at La Suite Kobe can lounge on comfortable sofas on the rooftop terrace. The hotel offers laundry and baby-sitting services. Bicycle and laptop rentals are available, and a free internet-PC is provided at the lobby. Creative French cuisine is presented in a decor of soft carpeting and wide windows at restaurant Le Coeur, while cafe Grand Blue serves a wide range of drinks and light meals. Restaurant Kokoro offers contemporary Japanese cooking inspired on traditional dishes. Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland is a 4-minute walk from Minato-Motomachi Station. It's only a 3-minute walk from Kobe Tower, and a 6-minute stroll from Meriken Park. Kobe Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
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- Arima Onsen Tocen Goshobo
  Luxury
  
  Founded in the 12th century and beloved by Junichiro Tanizaki and other Japanese novelists, Tosen Goshobo is the oldest of the hot-spring inns at Arima. Standing beside the Taki River, it features outdoor hot-spring baths and traditional in-room meals and is a 5-minute walk from Arima Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms have traditional futon bedding and a minibar. The 20 rooms at Arima Onsen Tosen Goshobo include tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens. Guests can relax at the seating area and enjoy the zen atmosphere with a cup of green tea. Bathing facilities are shared. Right next to the Hankyu Highway Bus station, the ryokan is a 3-minute walk from the Arima Toys and Automata Museum. Zuihoji Park is 900 metres away. Shin-Kobe Shinkansen Station is a 30-minute train ride. Breakfast is Japanese-style with black-bean tofu, and dinner features specialties such as Kobe beef, fresh fish from Akashi-Ura port.
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- Arima Onsen Taketoritei Maruyama
  Luxury
  
  Taketoritei Maruyama is a non-smoking Japanese-style accommodation featuring natural hot spring baths for private use and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. From its hilltop location a 15-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station, it offers sweeping views of Arima Onsen. Guests at Maruyama Taketoritei can privately unwind in a hot spring bath, or relax with a massage treatment. Facilities include drinks vending machines, while a free shuttle service is available to/from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station and Arima Onsen Bus Stop. Air-conditioned rooms feature a seating area with a tatami (woven-straw) floor and a low table with seating cushions. Some rooms offer beds, while others have traditional futon bedding. All rooms are equipped with an LCD TV, yukata robes and a fridge. The property is a 10-minute walk from the Arima Onsen area. Osaka’s Umeda station is a 55-minute bus ride away.
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- ORIENTAL HOTEL
  Luxury
  
  Overlooking the beautiful Kobe Harbour, Oriental Hotel offers luxurious accommodation in the heart of the historic Kyu-Kyoryuchi area. Guests can work out at the free-use fitness centre, or relax with beauty massages at the on-site salon. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Rooms with chic d?cor are fitted with stylish furnishings, and feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. The en suite bathroom includes a bath tub and free toiletries. Most rooms boast views of either the harbour or the city. The 24-hour front desk at the Hotel Oriental offers luggage storage services for free. In-room massages can be arranged at an extra charge. A range of items like a DVD player, humidifier and iron can be borrowed from the reception. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from both JR Sannomiya and Motomachi stations. Shin-kobe Shinkansen (bullet train) Station is a 5-minute drive away. Kobe City Museum is situated right next to the hotel, and Meriken Park can be reached within a 5-minute walk. Main Dining by the House of Pacific serves sophisticated Western dishes, while Kanesaka offers delicately prepared sushi. Teppanyaki can be enjoyed at Steak House Medium Rare, and The Bar J. W. Hart lets guests savour cocktails with the gorgeous harbour views.
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- Kobe Guesthouse MAYA
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set within 3.5 km of Kobe Center for Overseas Migration and Cultural Interaction and 8.6 km of Noevir Stadium Kobe, Kobe Guesthouse MAYA offers rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Kobe. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and a shared lounge, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is located 15 km from Emba Museum of Chinese Modern Art. The units feature a shared bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. The area is popular for hiking, and bike hire is available at the hostel. Mount Maya is 16 km from Kobe Guesthouse MAYA, while Onsen-ji Temple is 16 km away. Kobe Airport is 10 km from the property.
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- Tabiyu Abrigo
  Mid-range
  
  Tabiyu Abrigo is located in the Arima Onsen district of Kobe, a few steps from Arima Toys and Automata Museum, 100 metres from Zempuku-ji Temple and 100 metres from Onsen-ji Temple. Featuring mountain and city views, this aparthotel also offers free WiFi. This 3-star aparthotel offers private entrance. All units in the aparthotel are fitted with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and slippers, the units at the aparthotel have a TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms come with a balcony. At the aparthotel, every unit includes bed linen and towels. The aparthotel is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the aparthotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Kobe, like hiking. Popular points of interest near Tabiyu Abrigo include Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Gokurakuji Temple and Tosen Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.
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- Arima Grand Hotel
  Luxury
  
  Boasting an open-air hot springs bath and spacious garden, Arima Grand Hotel is located a 10-minute walk away from Arima Onsen Station. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Free private parking is also available on site. The entire property is non-smoking, while guests can smoke in the designated smoking area. All air-conditioned rooms come with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and a mountain view. For guests' comfort, slippers and free toiletries are provided. Some rooms include a private bathroom. A seasonal outdoor pool, various spa and wellness facilities are available at a surcharge. Guests can enjoy the public hot springs bath free of charge. There is also a hot springs bath that is available for private use upon prior reservation at an additional fee. Arima Grand Hotel is situated a 40-minute car ride away from Kobe city and a 25-minute car ride away from Rokko Mountain Snow Park. This accommodation can be reached from Kobe Airport by a 30-minute drive. Mt. Maya is a 35-minute car ride away.
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- Hotel Hanakoyado
  Mid-range
  
  Offering stylish rooms with shoji paper screens and Western beds, Hotel Hanakoyado is only a 6-minute walk from Arima Onsen Train Station. It features hot-spring baths and a massage service. The air-conditioned rooms at Hanakoyado Hotel include a fridge and tea maker. Each has an attached toilet, and bathing facilities are shared. Arima Toys and Automata Museum is just 100 metres from the ryokan. JR Sannomiya Train Station is a 35-minute train ride away. Reservable baths for private use are available 24/7. Guests can take a break from the baths to go fishing or hike along one of the area’s trails. Meals are served at Shunju Dining Room and feature grilled fish and meats.
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- Arima Onsen Takayamaso Hanano
  Luxury
  
  Featuring natural hot-spring baths among green hills, Takayamaso Hanano is a 10-minute walk from Arima Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms have futon beds and a private bathroom. The traditional accommodation at Takayamaso Hanano Ryokan includes tatami (woven-straw) floors and a flat-screen TV. Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a fridge. Zuihoji Koen Park is an 8-minute walk away. JR Shin Kobe Shinkansen Station is a 25-minute drive. A free shuttle is available to and from Arima Onsen Train Station, a 5-minute drive away. Both indoor and open-air hot-spring baths are on offer. Guests can enjoy the on-site art gallery. A concierge helps with sightseeing. Shikitei Restaurant offers daily Japanese breakfasts. Multi-course (kaiseki) dinners of local specialities made with seasonal ingredients are served in the restaurant.
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- Kobe Minato Onsen Ren
  Luxury
  
  Located a 5-minute taxi ride from Sannomiya Station and Motomachi Station, Kobe Minato Onsen Ren boasts a variety of hot spring baths, a year-round hot spring outdoor pool, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and hot stone spa facilities. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property and private parking is available on site at a fee. Each room at this hotel features a terrace with a sea view, a Japanese-style seating area with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with free toiletries. A fridge, a minibar and an electric kettle are also provided. The hotel offers free shuttle service between Sannomiya Station and the hotel. Other services include massage treatments, dry cleaning, ironing, concierge and luggage storage. Guests can enjoy Japanese dishes prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients at the hotel. Noevir Stadium Kobe is 3.6 km from Kobe Minato Onsen Ren, while Mount Maya is 6 km away. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, a 40-minute shuttle bus ride from JR Sannomiya Station.
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