Experience the timeless charm of Arima Onsen Town, Japan’s oldest and most iconic hot spring town, with a history of over 1,400 years. Tucked away in the scenic mountains of Kobe, this historic retreat is famous for its unique “Gold” and “Silver” hot springs, renowned for their healing properties for centuries. Whether you’re seeking a luxury ryokan stay, a rejuvenating day trip from Osaka, or a stroll through narrow winding streets filled with traditional snacks, Arima hot spring town offers the ultimate authentic Japanese spa experience.
Things to Do in Arima Onsen
The hot spring town has many things to offer. Refer to the list below of our favorite spots and things to do in the small town in Kobe for you to create your unique Arima Onsen day trip itinerary.
- Explore Arima Onsen With a Guide
- How to Get to Arima Onsen
- The Cherry Blossom and Autumn Foliage Season at Arima Onsen
- Public Bathhouse: Kin no Yu (金の湯)
- Public Bathhouse: Gin no Yu hot spring (銀の湯)
- Tensan Sengen Park (炭酸泉源公園)
- Tōsen Shrine (湯泉神社)
- Onsenji Temple (温泉禅寺)
- Tea House citta (茶坊 citta)
- Yunohana-dō (湯の花堂)
- Taiko Hot Spring (太閤の湯)
- Café De Beau
- Geiko Cafe Ito (芸妓カフェ 一糸)
- Zuihōji Park (瑞宝寺公園)
- Tsuzumigataki Park (鼓ヶ滝公園)
Tips:
☛ Kosenkaku (有馬溫泉 元湯 古泉閣) is an onsen ryokan that may be able to cater to a vegetarian diet. Both dinner and breakfast are amazing.
☛ If you aren’t comfortable bathing with others, then go to Arima Onsen Taketoritei Maruyama (有馬温泉 竹取亭円山), which has as many 8 private onsen pools. But note that you have to stay overnight to use their facilities.
☛ Many shops are closed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so if you can, come on other weekdays because weekends will most likely be packed.
Explore Arima Onsen With a Guide
If you prefer to be guided during your visit to Arima Onsen, consider booking one of the tours below!
How to Get to Arima Onsen
Knowing how to get to Arima Onsen is the first step toward a relaxing getaway. Nestled in the mountains behind Kobe, Arima Onsen is surprisingly accessible from major hubs like Osaka and Kyoto. We have broken down the best transport options to help you reach the famous hot spring town with ease. Tips to save on transportation are also included.
For more information, refer to our article on How to Get to Arima Onsen!
The Cherry Blossom and Autumn Foliage Season at Arima Onsen
- The cherry blossom season at Arima Onsen is from early to mid-April. Below is a list of spots where you can admire the gorgeous flowers:
- Nenehashi Bridge (ねね橋)
- Taikōhashi Bridge (太閤橋)
- Zenpukuji Temple (善福寺)
- Rinkeiji Temple (林渓寺)
- Onsenji Temple (温泉寺)
- Nenbutsuji Temple (念仏寺)
- Gokurakuji Temple (極楽寺)
- Tōsen Shrine (湯泉神社)
- Atagosan Park (愛宕山公園)
- Zuihōji Park (瑞宝寺公園)
- Tsuzumigataki Park (鼓ヶ滝公園)
- Kōenbashi Bridge (公園橋)
- Otokurabashi Bridge (乙倉橋)
- The color of the leaves usually starts changing in early November, with the fall foliage season peaking from mid to late November
Arima Onsen’s History
According to ancient Japanese records, Arima Onsen was discovered more than 3,000 years ago when two men noticed that the wounds on three crows had healed after soaking in the hot spring. But the name of Arima Onsen only became widely known after Jomei (舒明), the emperor of Japan in the early 7th century, spent some time here.
Then, in the Nara period (奈良時代) in the 8th century, the town’s first temple was built by the eminent monk Gyōki (行基). Then another monk, Jinsai (仁西), helped the locals open 12 ryokans in the Kamakura period (鎌倉時代), from the late 12th century to the early 14th century, so that the town could generate some income.
The guy who laid the foundation for the prosperity of Arima Onsen is, however, the famous samurai, Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉), who loved the hot springs here so much that he visited the town several times with his wife – Nene (寧々). He even ordered his favorite tea master, Sen no Rikyū (千 利休), to hold tea ceremonies at Arima Onsen during his stay!
This is why there is a statue of Hideyoshi and Nene as well as two bridges named after them – Taikōhashi Bridge (太閤橋) and Nenehashi Bridge (ねね橋) close to Arima Onsen Station.
Tip: If you know you need something from convenience stores, get it before you start exploring Arima Onsen because there are only two in the entire town, one is in front of the station, and the other one is close to Nenebachi Bridge (that red bridge in the photo above that has Nene’s statue at one side of the bridge).
Two Types of Hot Springs in Arima Onsen, Gold Spring and Silver Spring
The mineral quality of the hot spring in Arima Onsen is excellent, as it contains seven of the nine main components listed by the Ministry of the Environment as present in recuperation or recovery springs.
There are two completely different types of hot springs in the entire onsen town. One of them, known as Kinsen (金泉), or Gold Spring, has a reddish-brown colour and contains iron and salt. Its salt concentration is twice that of seawater, forming a thin film that keeps your skin moisturized. It is also good for low back pain and muscle/joint pain.
Ginsen (銀泉), on the other hand, is colorless and transparent. It can be further subdivided into two different types of hot springs. One is carbonated, which promotes blood circulation, which is good for high blood pressure. The water vapour of another Ginsen contains radium, which is said to activate immune cells and enhance the natural healing power of our bodies, making it effective for gout, rheumatism, menopause, and more.
No wonder Toyotomi Hideyoshi loved this onsen so much!
Public Bathhouse: Kin no Yu (金の湯)
When you come to Arima Onsen, Kin no Yu is definitely the bathhouse you should visit. Located at a three-way junction near the main street, Yumotozaka (湯本坂), and opposite the Arima Toy Museum (有馬玩具博物館).
Each gender has a separate onsen pool: Ichi no Yu (一の湯) for men and Ni no Yu (二の湯) for women. Unfortunately, like most public bathhouses in Japan, there is no private onsen pool you can rent. Instead, there is a free foot spa and a hot spring fountain for drinking that you can use when the bathhouse is open.
For more information, refer to our Kin no Yu article!
Kanponoyado Arima (かんぽの宿 有馬)
For a more comfortable bathing experience in top-quality Kinsen, Kanponoyado Arima can be a great choice. Although it costs a bit more than Kin no Yu for a daytime visit, it is one of the few ryokans/facilities with its own Kinsen hot spring source. The ryokan is also known for its great customer service, which is definitely worth every penny of your money (^_-)-☆.
One thing to note is that it is located up a hill and further away from the train station. On a positive note, it is close to the Arima Onsen Ropeway Station, where you can refresh yourself after a good hiking trip.
Tip: If you stay overnight here, utilize their pick-up and drop-off services from the train station. Also, they try their best to cater to special dietary requirements, so tell them what you can’t eat when you book!
Kanponoyado Arima’s hot spring facility is open to day visitors from 11 am to 4 pm. The last admission is taken at 3 pm.
Daytime Hot Spring Admission Fee at Kanponoyado Arima:
- On weekdays:
- 800 yen for adults
- 400 yen for elementary school students
- On weekends and public holidays
- 1,000 yen for adults
- 700 yen for elementary school students
A face towel costs 200 yen, and a bath towel can be rented for 150 yen.
Gin no Yu Hot Spring (銀の湯)
One of the best facilities to enjoy Ginsen is Gin no Yu Hot Spring, located a little off the hot spring town and in the middle of a slope. As you climb up the slope, you can visit Arimayama Onsenji Temple (温泉禅寺), Gokurakuji Temple (極楽寺), and Nenbutsudera Temple (念仏寺), which should keep you entertained.
Unlike the Kin no Yu Onsen, at Gin no Yu Onsen, there is also a steam sauna room to embrace the benefits of the hot spring fully!
And if you want to cool your body down a bit after you come up from the bath, you can grab one of the local specialties – Arima Cider (有馬サイダー) that is made from the onsen (not from the bathe that you just came out of obviously (´▽｀*)).
Gin no Yu Hot Spring’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Gin no Yu is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily except from the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month.
- The last admission is at 8:30 pm.
- It also closes on January 1.
- If the 1st or the 3rd Tuesday of the month is a public holiday, it will close on the next business day.
- Admission Fee:
- 700 yen for senior high school students and above on weekends and public holidays
- 550 yen for senior high school students and above on weekdays
- 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- 1,200 yen for entry to both Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu Onsen
- The bathhouse is less than a 10-minute walk from Arimaonsen Train Station and around a 5-minute walk from Kin no Yu Hot Spring.
Tensan Sengen Park (炭酸泉源公園)
A 5-minute walk away up the slope from Gin no Yu Onsen, there is a park called Tensan Sengen Park. This is where the spring source of Ginsen is.
The spring source is covered by a roof that lets you see the bubbly, carbonated Ginsen. And don’t just stand there, staring at the hot spring. Take out your water bottle and open the faucet next to the spring source for drinkable hot spring water with great health benefits. Although it isn’t particularly delicious, drinking a natural cider can be a great story to tell later on (^_-)-☆.
Tenjin Sengen (天神泉源)
As you walk around Arima Onsen Town, you will notice quite a few roundish devices like the one in the photo, with white steam emanating from them. Underneath most of them is the spring source of Kinsen.
One of the most representative hot spring sources is this Tenjin Sengen behind Tenjinja Shrine’s (天神社) stone torii gate. The god of the shrine looks after people’s academic performances, so if you are a student, remember to make a wish at the shrine’s worship hall (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Tōsen Shrine (湯泉神社)
Tōsen Shrine is Arima Onsen’s symbolic shrine, enshrining the three tricksters who first discovered the hot spring source. They are now the gods who look after the onsen town.
As you stand in front of the worship hall, instead of looking straight like you would normally do, look up to find the sculptures of the three crows that led to the discovery of Arima Onsen!
There is also a god who looks after children’s growth, enshrined at Tōsen Shrine. Many rituals involve praying for the pilgrims’ children to have a healthy and happy life.
One thing to note about the shrine is that you have to climb all the staircases, which have deterred many people (´▽｀*). And if you have made it to the top, after you visit the shrine, also drop by Atagosan Park (愛宕山公園) to enjoy nature here (especially in spring for cherry blossoms and autumn).
How to Get to Tōsen Shrine
The shrine is less than a 10-minute walk from Arimaonsen Station and a 2-minute walk from Gin no Yu Hot Spring.
Onsenji Temple (温泉禅寺)
Onsenji Temple was established in 724, when the eminent monk of the time, Gyōki (行基), tried to cure the locals of illness using the hot spring. As the first temple built in the hot spring town, the temple is also known as a spot for cherry blossoms in spring.
In addition, it is the only place in Arima Onsen that offers vegan and vegetarian lunch options!
For more information, refer to our article on Onsenji Temple.
Tea House citta (茶坊 citta)
In addition to Onsenji Temple, Tea House citta is another spot where you will find vegan food in Arima Onsen Town. The good news is you can enjoy vegetarian curry without a reservation at the café.
Tea House citta has a Japanese-style setting, as you would expect from a Japanese temple. However, it also has many modern elements, allowing you to enjoy the Zen garden and the beautifully decorated interior. As you wait for your food, small board games are on each table to keep you entertained.
The curry at Tea House citta is made by stewing vegetables and apples with white wine (instead of water) for six hours. With the right amount of spice and the deliciousness of the vegetables, it will be one of the best keema curries you will ever have!
You will notice a big tree when you adore the temple’s garden. Apparently, the sal tree is more than 300 years old and still blooms in June every year! Moreover, two large stones are on the side of the sal tree. The one on the left is called Sparrow Stone (雀石), and the one on the right is Clam Stone (蛤石). When the two stones are placed together, they form a metaphor. The sparrow and the clam are from the old phrase, “The sparrows enter the sea and become clams (雀海中に入って蛤となる)”. It was used to describe how fast things can change.
If there is no one to greet you, ring the bell at the entrance and someone will be with you shortly (^_-)-☆.
Note that there are only 10 servings of vegetarian curry per day, so it is best to make a reservation!
Tips:
☛ Check with the staff to see if they still do coffee refills.
☛ There are only 10 servings of vegetarian curry per day from 10 am, so it is best to make a reservation by calling +81-78-904-0414!
Tea House citta’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tea House citta is open from 9 am to 3 pm from Friday to Wednesday.
- The temple is around an 8-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station (有馬温泉駅).
Yunohana-dō (湯の花堂)
Another must-try local specialty at Arima Onsen is Tansan Senbei (炭酸煎餅) – carbonated crackers. Unlike its name, the crackers don’t give you the same kind of bubbly taste as fizzy drinks. It is carbonated because the shop used carbonated hot spring water, rather than plain water, as one of its ingredients.
There are many Tansan Senbei stores in the town, but you will at least want to drop by Yunohana-dō for its freshly made crackers called “Nama-Tansan Senbei (なま炭酸せんべい)” which you should bite within 5 SECONDS.
Why 5 seconds? Because the crackers will harden up rapidly as soon as they leave the stove.
To taste the two completely different textures of the cracker, block all distractions and take a bite as soon as you hold it! As the shop advertises, your first mouthful will be chewy, with a crunchy texture as you bite it the second time (^_-)-☆.
The best thing about handmade Tansan Senbei is that it costs only 100 yen for three! You can hardly find anything entirely handmade from scratch this cheap!
Tip: The original Tansan Senbei is made without butter or eggs, making it completely vegan!
Most crackers of the other products that you can buy from the shop are machine-made. The popular ones are the waffle type with chocolate or cream between two crackers.
The senbei/crackers at each shop taste slightly different and vary in sugar content. Try their tasters and find the Tansan Senbei you like the most before you pay!
Yunohana-dō’s Business Hours and Access Method
- The shop is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
- It is a 2-minute walk to Kin no Yu Hot Spring and a 10-minute walk from Arimaonsen Train Station.
Taiko Hot Spring (太閤の湯)
Taiko Hot Spring is the largest hot spring resort in Arima Onsen, with 26 onsen pools with Kinsen and Ginsen for you to shop around. There are also bedrock baths and a sauna room for you to go in between each onsen session.
The resort’s interior will remind you of Ōedo Monogatari (大江戸物語). While there aren’t many entertaining facilities, you can easily spend a few hours at Taiko Hot Spring.
Taiko Hot Spring’s Business Hours and Access Method
- The shop is open from 10 am to 10 pm daily.
- The last admission is at 9 pm.
- It is a 6-minute walk to Kin no Yu Hot Spring and a 5-minute walk from Yunohana-dō (湯の花堂).
Café de Beau (カフェ・ド・ボウ)
Another local sweet in Arima Onsen that has the hot spring as part of the ingredients is the Swiss roll cake – Arima Roll (有馬ロール).
The homemade Arima Roll uses salt from Kinsen, so in addition to a gentle, sweet taste, it also has a slightly salty finish. Their black bean pudding made with premium black beans from Tanba (丹波) is a must-try as well if you eat eggs!
If you are lucky to get one of the window seats overlooking their garden, your time at the cafe is just going to be extra pleasant (*´ω｀).
Café De Beau’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The cafe is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily except Tuesdays.
- It is just a one-minute walk from Kin no Yu Hot Spring and a 3-minute walk from Gin no Yu Hot Spring.
Geiko Cafe Ito (芸妓カフェ 一糸)
After you leave Kin no Yu Hot Spring, head to Geiko Cafe Ito, just on the block opposite the bathhouse.
Geiko Cafe Ito is the only facility in Arima Onsen where Geishas are stationed. As a Geiko Cafe/Bar, you will be served by Geishas. If you come between 11 am and 2 pm on weekends, you can even enjoy their traditional performances for free while savouring their delicious dessert menu!
- Reservation isn’t required at the cafe.
- The viewing cost is 1,500 yen per person. Please also order something from the menu.
Moreover, you can be transferred into a Geisha at Geiko Cafe Ito! For more information, please refer to their website HERE and translate it into English using Google Chrome’s translation function on the right side of the address bar.
Geiko Cafe Ito’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The cafe is open from 11 am to 3 pm on weekends.
- A reservation is required to visit the cafe between 3 pm and midnight.
- If you are heading there at night, a reservation is required.
- It is less than a 10-minute walk from Arimaonsen Station.
Haibukiya Nishida Brush Shop (灰吹屋 西田筆店製造)
Apart from its hot spring-related specialties, Arima Onsen also offers a really awesome traditional craft that makes a perfect souvenir for your loved ones and yourself. The Arima Doll Brushes (有馬人形筆, Arima Ningyō Fude) are great for calligraphy, painting, or simply as a decoration!
It might be hard to tell from the photo, but the beautiful patterns on the brush holder are actually created by winding colorful silk thread over and over around the wooden stick Σ(ﾟдﾟ).
Considering how expensive silk is and the brushes are handmade by the shop owner and the brushmaker, the brushes are surprisingly not as expensive as one might think. The most standard brush only costs 3,300 yen!
As you pick up the brush and prepare to use it, you will be nicely surprised by the cute little doll that pops out of the handle (≧▽≦).
Haibukiya Nishida Brush Shop’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- It is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily except on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- The brush shop is around a 5-minute walk away from Arimaonsen Station and a 2-minute walk from either Kin no Yu Hot Spring or Gin no Yu Hot Spring.
Zuihōji Park (瑞宝寺公園)
The Zuihōji Park we see today was the site of Zuihōji Temple for 200 years until 1873, when an order from the Meiji Government destroyed it.
But before that, it was the spot where Toyotomi Hideyoshi chilled out and played Go games. As you find his stone Go board in the vast park, you will also find the scenery that he regarded as something that one will never get tired of!
Momiji Chaya (もみじ茶屋)
As one of Hyōgo Prefecture’s famous fall foliage spots, Zuihōji Park is normally packed with tourists in November. Temporary rules are applied during the month to limit traffic.
To accommodate all visitors to the park, Momiji Chaya, or Maple Tea House, is open from early to late November each year, from 11 am to 4 pm. The tea house is just behind the Zuihōji Temple’s gate (the only building spared from demolition).
In 2025, Momiji Chaya was opened from November 6 to the end of the autumn leaves season.
On top of the normal desserts and drinks menu, there is also a light meal menu to fill you up (but the broth wouldn’t be vegetarian)!
Arima Daichakai (有馬大茶会)
To commemorate Hideyoshi and the number of tea ceremonies, big and small, that he held here, from 9 am to 3 pm on the 2nd and the 3rd of November each year, various tea ceremony sessions are held across Arima Onsen for people to join as guests (you have to pay, of course).
Free Chakai Bus (茶会バス) will also be running between Arima Grand Hotel (有馬グランドホテル) next to Arimaonsen Station and Zuihōji Park from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
One of the 50 Famous Flowers Spots in Kobe
Although Zuihōji Park is most well-known for its autumn foliage, it is also a great place for cherry blossoms. So don’t forget to drop by the park if you come to the onsen town in early to mid-April (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
How to Get to Zuihōji Park
The park is around a 15-minute walk from Arimaonsen Station. Note that it can be tiring to hike up the hill.
Tip: if you are driving, as the park doesn’t have a designated car park, you can park at Arimakirari Parking Lot (有間きらり 駐車場). While it isn’t a free car park, it has ample space, so you should find a parking spot.
Tsuzumigataki Park (鼓ヶ滝公園)
Another famous natural spot in Arima Onsen that is worth visiting year-round is Tsuzumigataki Park. The park is basically maintained around the Tsuzumigataki Falls (鼓ヶ滝).
About a 10-minute walk from the town center, Tsuzumigataki Park is a great place for light hiking that you can even do with a pair of sandals. Not only are there cherry blossoms and autumn foliage in spring and autumn, but the park is also known for hydrangea in early summer and fireflies close to Arima Masu Pond (有馬ます池) from late May to June.
The small Tsuzumigataki Fall in the park, at only 10 meters high, is famous for producing a drum-like sound. But due to flood damage, the Tsuzumigataki Falls is just another normal waterfall nowadays…
Nevertheless, the park is really close to Rokkō Arima Ropeway (六甲 有馬 ロープウェー), so you can conveniently drop by and ride after you have had your fill of the scenery at the top of the mountain (^_-)-☆.
There is also a small cafe at the back of the park where you can rest if you need to.
How to Get to Tsuzumigataki Park
- From Arimaonsen Station, it is around a 20-minute walk.
- From Arima Station of Rokkō Arima Ropeway (六甲 有馬 ロープウェー), it is a 5-minute walk.
Take the Rokkō Arima Ropeway to Visit Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya
Arima Onsen is conveniently located at the foot of Mt. Rokkō. With a short ropeway ride, you will have a spectacular view of Kobe City, Osaka Bay, and even beyond! Furthermore, so many interesting attractions have characteristics different from those in the onsen town. And, the night view from the observatories is said to be worth 10 million dollars!
Check out our article about Mt. Rokkō and Mt. Maya for more information (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Explore Other Places to Go and Hidden Gems in Kobe
The port city of Kobe has many other popular attractions and hidden gems worth exploring. For example, for those who love nature, the Nunobiki Falls, ranked alongside the Kegon Falls in Nikkō National Park, is probably the next spot you want to visit. The Kitano Ijinkan-gai up on the hill is another place in Kobe for some great Instagram photos!
For more information, please refer to our article on Kobe (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
