What? |
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| Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is a favourite getaway for people living in the crowded cities of Osaka 大阪 and Kobe (神戸). While actually being a part of Kobe, it is located at the other more natural end of the Mount Rokko (å…甲山) range which splits Kobe in two. One of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan, the area has 2 kinds of waters: Kinsen with iron deposits and Ginsen rich with radium and carbonate. |
Where? |
There are buses going directly from Osaka and Kobe to Arima Onsen. I took the train to Sanda (三田) where I transferred to the Kobe Dentetsu Line getting off at Arimaguchi. From there regular trains take you up and down Arima Onsen.
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URL |
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Japan Guide Outline Arima Onsen Tourism |
Welcoming my brother in Japan for the first time in a few years, I planned to take away his fatigue by taking him to an onsen close enough for a one-day trip. Residing in the Kansai area, Arima Onsen was the obvious choice. Getting there is a breeze. That’s more than can be said about getting around. While very small and easily covered in a few hours, one must not forget this is an onsen town: a lot of stairs and small alleys that lead criss cross to nowhere at all. When knowing where to get to, moving from one place to another doesn’t take up any time. When just strolling around without a map it is surprisingly easy to get lost.
We entered Taiko-no-Yu which targets tourists. As I never had been to a big touristic bath this was a very pleasant surprise. The obligatory souvenir shops aside, this place has been made for the purpose of sheer relaxation. Baths with various temperatures, various colours and various aromas await the tired traveller. The highlight in the onsen are the one-person steel bathtubs which are just the perfect temperature, and with some wriggling around provide extreme comfort.
Be aware: when leaving this onsen you will have to drag yourself as you are so relaxed your muscles won’t move along!
Onsen atmosphere
Taiko-no-yu
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