Hyōgo · Kinosaki Onsen
Mandara-yu (Kinosaki public bath)
まんだら湯（城崎温泉 外湯）
The bath tied to Kinosaki's founding legend. Popular for its cypress open-air tub and barrel baths facing the wooded hillside; at the quiet end of town. Opens at 3 pm.
- Price (adult)
- ¥800
- Hours
- 15:00–23:00 (last entry 22:30)
- Closed
- Wed
- Access
- 15 min walk from JR Kinosaki-Onsen Station
- Water type
- Simple spring
- Tattoos
- Allowed
- Admission
- Adults ¥800 / children (3 to elementary) ¥400. “Yumepa” day pass ¥1,500 / ¥750 for unlimited entry to all seven baths (sold at any bath). Guests of member ryokan bathe free from check-in to check-out with a barcode pass
- Water
- Sodium-calcium-chloride hot spring, ~42 °C, centrally distributed to all seven baths. Neuralgia, muscle pain, bruises, chronic digestive complaints, piles, fatigue
- Highlights
- The birthplace of Kinosaki Onsen (said to have gushed forth in 717 after the monk Dochi’s 1,000-day prayer). Temple-style building with a karahafu gable and cypress-barrel open-air tubs facing the hillside. Opens 15:00
- Amenities
- Shampoo and body soap provided; towels sold (bring from your ryokan). ¥100 refundable lockers. Tattoos are officially welcome in Kinosaki’s public baths
- Phone
- 0796-32-2194
- Official site
- kinosaki-spa.gr.jp ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Kinosaki Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Cypress open-air bath facing the hillside
- Unique single-person barrel tubs
- Quieter — at the far end of town
Where Kinosaki began 1,300 years ago
Mandara-yu is where Kinosaki Onsen was born. In 717 the monk Dochi is said to have chanted the Mandala sutra here for a thousand days until a miraculous spring burst forth — hence the Buddhist name, and the temple-like karahafu-gabled building it has kept ever since. The small open-air area with cypress barrel tubs looks straight onto the wooded hillside behind the town and is much loved. The bath of prosperity and a once-in-a-lifetime wish.
Tips & cautions
- Last entry 30 min before closing.
- The seven baths stagger their weekly closures (Kono-yu Tue, Mandara-yu Wed, Gosho-no-yu Thu, Ichi-no-yu Wed, Yanagi-yu Thu, Jizo-yu Mon, Sato-no-yu Mon), so 5–6 are always open.
- The tourist association site shows live crowding for each bath.
- Strolling bath to bath in yukata and geta is the Kinosaki way; ryokan guests get a free pass with their yukata.
- Since Nov 2023 facilities using natural spring water display an official “Kinosaki natural onsen” certificate.
Getting there
About 15 min on foot from JR Kinosaki-Onsen Station (Yushima 565), at the far end of town near Onsenji temple and the ropeway station.
Before you go
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Only here
Price
Rules & private
Mood & scenery
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Gosho-no-Yu (Kinosaki outer bath)
The most popular of Kinosaki's seven public baths. In a building modeled on the Kyoto Imperial Palace, a waterfall rotenburo faces the hillside and a glass-roofed 'sky bath' sits indoors, all renovated in 2020. Overnight guests get free entry with the 'Yumepa' pass, so evenings are busy with yukata-clad bathers — go at 7 am when it opens.
Kin-no-Yu
The public bathhouse of Arima, one of Japan's three oldest hot springs. For ¥800 you can soak in the 'kinsen' — iron- and salt-rich water that turns rusty brown on contact with air, in pools at 42°C and 44°C. Under an hour by train from Kobe or Osaka, so an easy day trip. Free foot bath and drinking fountain outside. No tattoos.
Ichi-no-Yu (Kinosaki outer bath)
Kinosaki's flagship outer bath, praised as 'the best under heaven' by an Edo-period physician. Its cave bath carved into rock is the draw; the kabuki-theatre-style building is the town's landmark.
