| Kinosaki 城 崎 | ||
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| State | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Kansai | |
| Territory | Hyōgo Prefecture | |
| Surface | 31.19 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 4.134 (2016) | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
Kinosaki is a city of Kansai.
To know
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If during the day visitors simply stroll through the streets of the center, in the evening most will wear the yukata (light kimono) and geta (traditional wooden shoes) which emit a characteristic noise of clogs loaned by their ryokan. The atmosphere is very relaxed and it is a pleasure to alternate between bathrooms, restaurants, shops, ice cream and more.
Geographical notes
The city overlooks the Murayama River. The city is also crossed by a canal.
Background
Kinosaki was one of the first onsen towns in Japan. The first springs were used in the 8th century and the city has since become a well-known onsen destination. It is said that storks were seen healing their wounds in thermal waters and that Kinosaki spring water has been known for its healing properties ever since.
Kinosaki was an old city that had merged with others to form Toyooka. This district, also known as Kinosaki onsen, is famous for its hot springs.
How to orient yourself
Kinosaki: full screen map.
The city is very small and consists of only two main roads. The first connects the station and ends at the second road on which there is a river. The latter is precisely the road on which the walk of tourists is concentrated in search of characteristic views.
How to get
On the train
- 1 Kinosaki onsen station (城 崎 温泉 駅, kinosaki-onsen-eki). Trains to the city depart from Kyoto, Osaka is Himeji, with fast trains or in several stages with local trains.
- JR Hamakaze Limited Express - travel between Kinosaki-onsen station and Himeji station (1:50), where you can change to one of the frequent Shinkansen trains that pass there. It takes 3 hours from Osaka Station (Shinkansen Station in the city is Shin-Osaka Station).
- JR Hashidate Line - Connect Nijō Station in Kyoto to Kinosaki-onsen Station (2:15 am).
- There are also daily buses to Kinosaki, but the train ride is more comfortable and more scenic (and therefore the recommended means of transport).
- There are automatic lockers in the station and the hotel information center opposite the station can also hold luggage (for a fee).
How to get around
The city should be visited on foot. If you are too relaxed to walk to the next bathroom, you can also hail one of the few taxis, but the distances are very short.
By public transport
At the station there is a bus that leads to the various ryokans.
By car
Cars are few and generally reserved for residents. There are very few car parks in the city except for paid parking.
What see
The city has no real attraction, except for the characteristic views along the river and the beautiful bridges.
Events and parties
- Onsen Festival.
April 23-24. Held annually on the anniversary of the death of Dochi Shonin, the founder of Kinosaki, the Onsen Festival offers a wide variety of attractions and events. - Furusato Festival. August. "Furusato" means hometown. During the festival the town is crowded with stalls and shows, but the big event is the great fireworks in the evening.
- Danjiri Autumn Festival. Kinosaki's largest and most popular festival, this event prays for the fortune and prosperity of the hot springs. During the day, groups of men carry large danjiri - wooden floats carved in the shape of shrines - through the streets of Kinosaki. In the evening, the groups then clash in a kind of ritualistic battle of the gods danjiri, creating a unique and exciting show.
April 23-24. Held annually on the anniversary of the death of Dochi Shonin, the founder of Kinosaki, the Onsen Festival offers a wide variety of attractions and events.What to do
There are excellent jogging trails near the main river - the Murayama River. Running along the river and through the rice fields is a good change of pace.
- 1 Kinosaki cable car (城 崎 ロ ー プ ウ ェ イ, kinosaki rōpuwei) (starting point at the end of the village, just over 1 km from the railway station).
at the top / halfway: ¥ 900 / ¥ 560 round trip, ¥ 460 / ¥ 290 each way; children: about -50%. 9:00-17:00. The summit offers a rather pleasant (but not essential) view of Kinosaki, the river and the sea in the distance. Halfway from the Onsen-ji station is a temple and an art museum. The top also has a small temple. You can walk a path, but it's not particularly attractive.
at the top / halfway: ¥ 900 / ¥ 560 round trip, ¥ 460 / ¥ 290 each way; children: about -50%. The onsen
Kinosaki's main attractions are i seven public spas, all equipped with free lockers. The prices of the bathrooms individually are quite high (they count 600 ¥ - 800 ¥). A day pass for ¥ 1200 (children ¥ 600) allows you to enjoy as much as you want. A barcode badge will be provided to validate each entry. If you are staying in a ryokan, this pass will certainly be included in the rate. In this case, you will get it upon your arrival at the ryokan in the middle of the afternoon (making arriving in Kinosaki in the morning less attractive). The ryokan will surely provide you with bathroom necessities (a small towel to wash / coarsely dry, a large one to dry in your clothing).
The tour of the onsen is pleasant, however it can become repetitive also due to the need to wash before diving and to dry off at the end. Therefore the tour can end early by settling for some onsen.
- 2 Yanagi-yu (柳 湯), ６４７ Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, ☎ 81 796-32-2097. Adults (600 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 300 yen). Fri-Wed 15: 00-23: 00. As it is only open in the afternoon, it is best to visit the other baths first. Its waters are said to be particularly useful for wound healing.
- 3 Satono-Yu (さ と の 湯), 290-36 Kinosakichō Imazu, Toyooka-shi, ☎ 81 796-32-0111. Adults (800 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 400 yen). Tue-Sun 13: 00-21: 00. This is the first spa that you will see when you leave the station. It is also one of the largest, offering separate indoor and outdoor bathrooms, as well as large lounging areas. There are also free foot baths just outside, highly recommended after a long day of walking or just to pass the time waiting for the next train. The open-air baths offer great views of the Murayama River and surrounding rice fields, so don't miss it.
- 4 Jizo-yu (地 蔵 湯). Adults (600 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 300 yen). Sat-Thu 7: 00-23: 00. It is housed in an interesting concrete building with high ceilings and offers public bathrooms as well as private bathrooms for rent.
- 5 Goshono-yu (御所 の 湯), 448 湯 島 城 崎 町 Toyooka-shi, ☎ 81 796-32-2230. Adults (800 yen), Children (1-12 years, 400 yen). 7:00 - 23:00, closed on the first and third Thursday of the month. It is perhaps the most beautiful of all seven establishments, with its traditional garden and beautiful facade. You can enjoy both elaborate indoor and outdoor baths, which are particularly fascinating under the snow and with the presence of a small waterfall.
- 6 Ichino-yu (一 の 湯), ４１５−１ Kinosakichō Yushima, Toyooka-shi, ☎ 81 796-32-2229. Adults (600 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 300 yen). Thu-Mar 7: 00-23: 00. It is hailed as the best spa in Japan. Its architectural style and decoration make it a popular establishment (especially for tourists) and is therefore very busy.
- 7 Kono-yu (鴻 の 湯), 610 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka (near the lower station of the cable car), ☎ 81 796-32-2195. Adults (600 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 300 yen). Fri-Wed 7: 00-23: 00. This is the bathroom where the legendary storks would have washed themselves to heal their wounds. It is the most relaxing of the many.
- 8 Mandara-yu (ま ん だ ら 湯), 565 湯 島 城 崎 町 Toyooka-shi, ☎ 81 796-32-2194. Adults (600 yen), Children (1-12 years old, 300 yen). Thu-Mar 15: 00-23: 00. With temple-inspired architecture, these hot spring baths may be reminiscent of Kyoto's Buddhist temples, but on a much smaller scale.
Shopping
- Local crafts: fabrics, purses, souvenirs and sweets.
- A yukata (to stand out in the crowd).
- Homemade snacks and refreshments at one of the many stands in the city.
How to have fun
There aren't many izakaya in the main stretch of the city. It is more common to buy cold beer bottles to enjoy after a bath session or when traveling between baths. The ryokans also serve alcohol.
Where to eat
Kinosaki is well known for its seafood, especially crabs. Seasonal fish will often be served if you stay in one of the many ryokans, or you can try one of the few restaurants in town, most of which focus on seafood. Many restaurants close very early, so take some time to eat a little earlier than usual if you are not staying in a ryokan where dinner is included.
Moderate prices
- 1 Nova, 121 Kinosakichō Yushima, ☎ 81 796-32-2540. Mon-Sun 8: 30-18: 00. This café is located in a curious Bavarian-style building.
Where stay
It is highly recommended to stay in Kinosaki in one of the traditional and well preserved ryokans. Standard ryokan rates include breakfast and dinner, but you can also find some ryokans that offer room only to cut costs, and like most are not cheap.
There are hotels in the area, but transportation to and from the city can be a problem if you don't drive.
High prices
- 1 YutouYa Inn, 373 Kinosakichō Yushima. This stunning ryokan even hosted the Japanese emperor in a pavilion in front of the hall. Some rooms open onto an internal garden. There is also an onsen for customers to use. The service, as well as the quality of the meals served, is impeccable.
Safety
The location is extremely safe. However, you must be careful not to forget or lose your personal items during the onsen tours.
How to keep in touch
Keep informed
Around
- Amanohashidate - 1.5 hours by train on the JR San-in line to Toyooka, then a Kyoto Tango train to Amanohashidate. A location whose sandstrip is one of Japan's three most famous attractions.
- Himeji - Directions = in 1:45 with some limited daily express trains. Famous for its original castle, possibly the most beautiful in Japan.
- Tottori - And its famous sand dunes.
- Osaka - The second largest metropolis in the country.
- Kyoto - The most important city in Japan in terms of traditional heritage.
Useful information
- 2 Tourist information office, 96 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka, ☎ 81 796-32-0013. Mon-Sun 8: 45-18: 00. In addition to information, it is possible to rent bicycles.
