What to know
Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is a celebrated hot spring town located within Kobe city limits, on the far side of Mount Rokko from downtown. Nestled in a natural mountain setting, it is close enough for residents of Kobe and Osaka to enjoy as an easy day trip or weekend escape.
Though Arima Onsen has a modern, built-up appearance today, you can still find narrow lanes and wooden buildings while strolling through the town center. The compact town is easily explored on foot, with several hot spring sources, nice temples and shrines, and a small hot spring museum (200 yen) to discover.
With a history spanning over a thousand years, Arima Onsen is considered one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts and has often ranked among the top onsen in Western Japan. The town features two types of hot spring water: Kinsen ("gold water"), which is brown from iron deposits and said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, and clear Ginsen ("silver water"), containing radium and carbonate, believed to cure various muscle and joint ailments.
Visitors can enjoy hot spring bathing at two public bathhouses or at the town's many ryokan. Several ryokan open their baths to non-staying guests during the day. Day-trip bath fees typically range from 550 to 3000 yen.
Below is a list of some hot spring baths in Arima Onsen open to day visitors:
Ratings: best of the best best of Japan outstanding
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:30)
- Closed
- 2nd and 4th Tues each month (or Wed if Tues is a holiday), Jan 1
- Admission
- 800 yen (~$5.12) (600 yen (~$3.84) on regular weekdays)
- English name
- Arima Onsen
- Original name
- Arima Onsen
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.