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Road trip from Osaka · About 1 hr by car
Arima Onsen
Arima Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot spring towns, tucked into the hills on the back side of Mt Rokko. It is known for two kinds of water: the rust-brown, iron-rich 'kinsen' (gold water) and the clear 'ginsen' (silver water).
The old town is small and hilly, so park once and walk. Bathe at the public bathhouses, snack on the local carbonated-spring crackers and ride the ropeway over Mt Rokko if the weather is clear.
Where to go
1Kin no Yu 金の湯The main public bathhouse, filled with the famous rust-brown 'gold' water. There is a free foot bath right outside.1–1.5 hr · Adult ¥800 (weekdays ¥650), child ¥350. Closed 2nd and 4th Tuesday.Map ↗
2Gin no Yu 銀の湯Smaller bathhouse with the clear 'silver' water, a few minutes' walk uphill.1 hr · Adult ¥700 (weekdays ¥550), child ¥300. Kin + Gin combined ticket ¥1,200. Closed 1st and 3rd Tuesday.Map ↗
3Tansan Gensen (carbonated spring source) 炭酸泉源Small park at the source of Arima's fizzy carbonated spring, reached through the old lanes. This water once made Arima cider.20 min · FreeMap ↗
4Taiko no Yu 太閤の湯Large modern day spa with many indoor and outdoor baths and saunas: a full afternoon for bath lovers.2–3 hr · Adult ¥2,750 (weekends/holidays ¥2,970)Map ↗
5Rokko-Arima Ropeway 六甲有馬ロープウェーCable car from Arima up to the top of Mt Rokko, with wide mountain views.1 hr+ · One way ¥1,400, round trip ¥2,520 (adult)Map ↗
A day there
- 9:30Leave south Osaka; about 1 hour to Arima
- 10:30Park at Arima Onsen Parking Lot; walk the old lanes to Tansan Gensen
- 11:30Soak in Kin no Yu (buy the combined ticket if you want Gin no Yu too)
- 13:00Street-food lunch and tansan senbei along the main street
- 14:30Ride the Rokko-Arima Ropeway up Mt Rokko and back, or bathe at Gin no Yu
- 17:00Drive home before the evening traffic
What to eat
Tansan senbei (thin, crisp crackers made with carbonated spring water)Shops along the main street near Kin no Yu
Arima cider, the local fizzy drinkAround the bathhouses and souvenir shops in the old town
Kobe beef croquettes and other street snacksArima's main shopping lanes (Yumoto-zaka)
With kids
Children pay reduced prices at Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu, and the free foot bath is an easy first try. The ropeway is a fun ride on a clear day.
Good to know
- Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu close on different Tuesdays each month, so check before you go.
- Arima's lanes are narrow and steep. Park at the edge of town and walk rather than driving into the centre.
- Tattoos: many Japanese bathhouses restrict them; check the bathhouse rules before you go if anyone in your group has tattoos.