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.
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.
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.
Sister facility to Kin-no-Yu. Clear carbonated and radon water that leaves skin silky, plus a steam sauna. Usually less crowded than Kin-no-Yu. ¥700 on weekends/holidays, ¥550 on regular weekdays.
Closest of Kinosaki's seven public baths to the station. A striking hexagonal lantern-motif window; indoor bath only, simple and quick.
The smallest and hottest of the seven baths — a little wooden bathhouse on the willow-lined canal, where you soak shoulder to shoulder with locals. Opens at 3 pm.
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.
Arima's biggest day-spa complex: gold spring, silver spring and (artificial) carbonated baths — 26 baths plus stone saunas, with loungewear and towels included. Free shuttle from Arima-Onsen Station.
About 8 minutes from Arima-Onsen Station, a hotel day-bath offering both the iron 'gold' and clear 'silver' springs. ¥1,360 includes free towels and drinks, so arrive empty-handed. Open 9 am–9 pm (cleaning 11–1), longer than the public baths.
The town-run communal bath at the heart of Yumura Onsen in northern Hyōgo, where the 98 °C 'Arayu' source boils eggs and vegetables for visitors on the banks of the Haruki River. Bicarbonate water flows freely through separate men's and women's main baths, with an open-air tub, sauna, an assisted bath and an upstairs rest room. ¥500 for non-residents; open 9:00–21:00, closed on the 15th of each month. No towels or soap are provided — bring your own or buy at reception. Parking is free for two hours for bathers. About an hour by car from Kinosaki; pairs well with the San'in Kaigan Geopark or Hamasaka's snow crab season (Nov–Mar).