10 Best Day Trip Hot Springs in Arima! From Natural Hot Springs to Private Open-Air Baths
Arima has many attractive day trip hot springs!
Arima Onsen is a famous hot spring known as one of Japan's three oldest hot springs. Its charm lies in being able to enjoy two types of spring quality: the reddish-brown "Kinsen" which contains iron and salt, and the colorless, transparent "Ginsen" which contains carbonic acid gas. Kinsen is said to have high heat retention and moisturizing effects, while Ginsen promotes metabolism and has beautifying effects. Even on a day trip, you can enjoy a variety of baths such as open-air baths, rock baths, and steam baths, as well as stroll through the hot spring town and savor local specialty gourmet food. As the "okuzashiki" (inner parlor) of Kansai, it offers a relaxing space where you can easily experience something out of the ordinary.
10 Recommended Day Trip Hot Springs in Arima
"Arima Kaido Onsen Suzuran no Yu" for ultimate relaxation in an open-air garden bath integrated with nature
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Arima Kaido Onsen Suzuran no Yu is a day-trip hot spring facility boasting one of the largest open-air baths in Kobe. In its garden-style open-air baths, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons, you can experience ultimate healing in five different baths themed around autumn leaves and bamboo groves. In addition to natural hot springs and baths fed by Miyazumizu (water from Miyazu), you can also enjoy herb baths, yomogi-mushi (mugwort steaming), and self-whitening specializing in beauty. Ganbanyoku (hot stone sauna) and saunas are also available, and there are ample free parking and shuttle bus services. It's a recommended spot where you can fully relax and indulge in luxury.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 11-1 Obemyoga, Yamada-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 15 minutes walk from "Kita-Suzurandai" Station on the Kobe Electric Railway. Approximately 15 minutes by car from Sannomiya. |
| Parking | Free parking for 250 cars |
| Opening Hours | 10:00～24:00 (Last admission 23:00) |
| Fees | Adults: Weekdays 1000 yen, Weekends/Holidays 1200 yen Children: Weekdays 600 yen, Weekends/Holidays 800 yen |
A relaxing time with "豐壽の湯" from a private spring at "Arima Onsen Maple Arima"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Arima Onsen Maple Arima is a day-trip hot spring facility featuring "Hoju no Yu," which uses its own Ginsen (Silver Spring) source. The Ginsen, rich in natural radon, is expected to promote health and have beautifying effects, offering a relaxing time in six varied baths including lie-down baths, bubble baths, and waterfall baths. The facility also serves creative Japanese kaiseki cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, allowing guests to enjoy both hot springs and gourmet food. Overnight guests can also experience Kinsen (Golden Spring) by using the external bath ticket. It's a recommended hot spring spot for those who want to spend luxurious time.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 406-3 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401 |
| Access | Approximately 5 minutes by shuttle car from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway. Approximately 15 minutes on foot. |
| Parking | Available (30 cars), Free, No reservation required |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Unavailable from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for cleaning) |
| Fees | – |
Spectacular views and lavish hot spring experience at "Arima Grand Hotel"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Arima Grand Hotel is a luxury resort hotel located on a hill in Arima Onsen, offering a lavish hot spring experience and spectacular views. Its biggest attraction is the observation grand bath "Unkai" (Sea of Clouds) on the top floor. Here, you can enjoy Arima's famous Kinsen (Golden Spring) and Ginsen (Silver Spring) while overlooking the Arima Onsen town and the mountains of Tamba. It's a luxurious space where you can also enjoy a fantastical sea of clouds if conditions are right. Furthermore, a variety of hot spring facilities are available, including the "Yurari" underground grand bath surrounded by nature and guest rooms with open-air baths. The kaiseki cuisine and buffet made with seasonal ingredients are also attractive, providing a supreme moment of fine dining and hot springs. It is easily accessible, about 30 minutes from Sannomiya and Shin-Kobe, and a free shuttle service is also available.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1304-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401 |
| Access | About 30 minutes by train or bus from Sannomiya/Shin-Kobe (free shuttle available from Shintetsu Arima Onsen Station/Hankyu Bus Arima Onsen Terminal) |
| Parking | Available (free), can accommodate 400 cars |
| Opening Hours | 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM (Last admission 9:00 PM) |
| Fees | – |
A Japanese healing space embraced by nature: "Gekkoen Yugetsu Sanso"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Gekkoen Yugetsu Sanso is a day-trip hot spring facility offering a healing Japanese space nestled in the rich natural environment of the Rokko mountain range. In the riverside open-air bath, where you can soak while listening to the murmuring of the Taki River, you can enjoy the Kinsen (Golden Spring) from its own source (sodium-chloride spring) without adding water. Highlights also include "Gekko Bridge" which offers seasonal views, and the panoramic view from the lobby overlooking Mount Ochiba. The dining area, serving authentic Japanese buffet and Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine made with local ingredients, is also well-equipped, allowing you to enjoy luxurious time with hot springs and delicious food. With facilities such as a spa aesthetic salon and a bar, it's a recommended spot that combines healing and enjoyment.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 318 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401 |
| Access | Approximately 2 minutes from Arimaguchi IC. Approximately 15 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Nishinomiya-Kita IC. Free shuttle available from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station and Hankyu Bus stop. |
| Parking | Available (free) approximately 40 cars |
| Opening Hours | – |
| Fees | – |
Historical Exploration with 26 Baths at "Arima Onsen Taiko no Yu"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Arima Onsen Taiko no Yu is a unique spa theme park where you can enjoy historical exploration and hot springs simultaneously. Refreshed and reopened in 2019, you can experience the Arima San-sen (three famous springs: Kinsen, Ginsen, and Tansansen (carbonated spring)) in 26 different baths and bedrock baths. Particularly noteworthy is Japan's first "Golden Steaming Bath," inspired by Taiko Hideyoshi's "Golden Tea Room." The six open-air baths and the front desk styled like a bathhouse attendant from the Azuchi-Momoyama period are also attractive. After strolling along the "Kanbei Kodo" where you can feel history, the convenience of being able to use the facility empty-handed with bath towels and loungewear is also a welcome point. It is adjacent to the accommodation facility "Arima Kirari," and staying guests can use it for free.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 292-2 Ikenoshiri, Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401 |
| Access | 10 minutes walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Arima Line (shuttle bus available from the station) |
| Parking | Dedicated parking available (paid). 200 spaces. Free for 4 hours after admission (meal set plans are free for 7 hours). *For every 2,000 yen (tax included) spent inside the facility, 1 hour is free, up to a total of 7 hours. ・Standard passenger car: 400 yen (tax included) per hour thereafter (*600 yen on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and specific days). |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Last admission 9:00 PM) Closed: Irregular closures 1-3 times a year. |
| Fees | – |
Enjoy Kinsen at Arima's oldest hot spring inn, "Kamiobo"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kamiobo boasts approximately 800 years of history as Arima Onsen's oldest hot spring inn and is a valuable spot where you can enjoy rich Kinsen (Golden Spring). The hot spring water drawn directly from the Tenjin spring is a "ferruginous, sodium-chloride strong saline hot spring" containing three times more minerals than seawater, and is expected to be effective for cold sensitivity, lower back pain, and muscle/joint pain. It features a darker "red miso-like" color than regular Kinsen, and its location in the heart of the hot spring town provides excellent access. Day trip bathing is available for 1,000 yen, and you can also experience the historical ambiance in traditional guest rooms dating back to the early Showa period. It is a recommended inn for hot spring enthusiasts seeking a rich hot spring experience and nostalgic atmosphere.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1175 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Access | 10 minutes from Chugoku Expressway Nishinomiya Kita IC / 3 minutes from Hanshin Expressway Kita-Kobe Line Arimaguchi IC |
| Parking | Available, 8 spaces, Free (Advance phone reservation required for use) |
| Opening Hours | – |
| Fees | 1,000 yen |
A historic ryokan loved by famous writers: "Tosen Goshobo"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Tosen Goshobo is the oldest ryokan in Arima Onsen, founded in 1191, with a rich history connected to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Literary figures such as Junichiro Tanizaki and Akiko Yosano also loved it, conveying its charm in their works. The semi-open-air mixed bath, where you can enjoy free-flowing Kinsen (Golden Spring) from the source, is a special experience for hot spring lovers. The Yama-goya cuisine, featuring fresh fish directly from Akashiura fishing port and local vegetables, is also highly regarded. With a salon exuding the ambiance of Hanshin-kan Modernism and a space that blends traditional wooden architecture with modern design, you can immerse yourself in the world of "In Praise of Shadows" depicted by Junichiro Tanizaki. It is a special spot where you can experience the history and culture of Arima Onsen.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 858 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 5 minutes walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station |
| Parking | Paid (40 spaces) Weekdays: 1000 yen maximum per day (200 yen for 60 minutes) Weekends, holidays, and day before holidays: 1500 yen per day (300 yen for 60 minutes) |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Closed on Mondays) |
| Fees | – |
A hidden gem for forest bathing and Kinsen/Ginsen: "Ginsuisho Bekkan Choraku"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Ginsuisho Bekkan Choraku is a hidden gem accommodation facility located on a hill in Arima Onsen, offering a healing space surrounded by the magnificent nature of Mount Rokko. Its greatest appeal is the private open-air bath where you can enjoy Kinsen (Golden Spring) and Ginsen (Silver Spring) from its own source, along with forest bathing. In the private open-air bath opened in February 2023, you can indulge in a luxurious hot spring experience while feeling the mountains and trees. Furthermore, the interior of the building was renovated in April 2024, and the comfortable guest rooms, which blend Japanese tradition with modern design, are also a highlight. Seasonal creative dishes using local ingredients and hospitality in a quiet and calm atmosphere create a special moment. This is highly recommended for those seeking luxurious refreshment in Arima Onsen.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1654-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Access | 8 minutes walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Shintetsu Kobe Electric Railway Line (Shuttle service available from the city (for 1 person or more)) |
| Parking | 80 spaces (free) |
| Opening Hours | Public bath: [Day session] 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, [Evening session] 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM Ichii no Yu: [Day session] 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, [Evening session] 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Fees | – |
Experience 100% natural Kinsen at a tranquil elevated location: "Kosenkaku"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kosenkaku is a ryokan located on a hill away from the hustle and bustle of Arima Onsen, offering a luxurious setting with panoramic views of the Tamba mountains. Its greatest feature is the free-flowing hot spring, 100% natural Kinsen (Golden Spring) from its own source. With an abundant water flow of over 6 tons per hour, the water is replaced twice a day, ensuring a constantly fresh and clean hot spring experience. The rustic "Iwaburo" (rock bath) and the scenic "Hakkakudo" (octagonal hall) observatory bath are also popular. The expansive grounds include a Japanese garden and a Western restaurant, and you can also enjoy Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine in your room. A free shuttle service to the Arima Onsen town is also available, making access convenient. It is a recommended hot spring inn for those seeking luxurious healing in a peaceful environment.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1455-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 651-1401 |
| Access | Approximately 2 minutes by shuttle car from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station |
| Parking | 70 spaces available (free, no reservation required) |
| Opening Hours | – |
| Fees | – |
Enjoy hot springs and gourmet food in the heart of Arima: "Kamenoi Hotel Arima"
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Kamenoi Hotel Arima is a facility located in the heart of Arima Onsen town, offering free-flowing Kinsen (Golden Spring) from its source and exquisite cuisine. The reddish-brown Kinsen, gushing from the Atagoyama spring on the premises, is offered as free-flowing hot spring water with some added water, allowing guests to fully enjoy the charm of the hot spring. Day-use is also available, and seasonal Japanese set meals and special Kobe beef lunches are very popular. As a designated Kobe Beef registered restaurant, you can savor authentic Kobe beef dishes such as Kobe beef steak lunch and sukiyaki lunch. Additionally, a variety of guest rooms including Japanese-Western style and Japanese style rooms are available, and its convenient location makes it ideal for exploring the hot spring town. It's a recommended spot to enhance your trip to Arima.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1617-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Access | Approximately 20 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station |
| Parking | 94 spaces (free), operating hours 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Opening Hours | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Last admission 3:00 PM) |
| Fees | Weekdays: 800 yen (ages 12 and up), 400 yen (ages 6 to under 12) Weekends/Holidays: 1,000 yen (ages 12 and up), 700 yen (ages 6 to under 12) *Preschool children free |
Enjoy Arima's popular day trip hot springs!
Arima Onsen is a renowned hot spring, celebrated as one of Japan's three oldest and most famous. It boasts two unique spring sources, Kinsen (Golden Spring) and Ginsen (Silver Spring), each with distinct therapeutic properties. The day-trip hot spring facilities introduced here allow you to easily enjoy these precious waters. From large-scale hot spring theme parks like Taiko no Yu, to historic public baths like Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu, and even day-trip plans at luxurious ryokans, there's a diverse range of options. Combined with a stroll through the Arima Onsen town, you can enjoy a fulfilling day. Beyond the hot springs, savor delicious food and the ambiance of the hot spring town, and find the perfect day-trip hot spring in Arima to refresh both mind and body.