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/about/spa ↗
- 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 城崎温泉観光協会公式
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.