Arima Onsen

Arima Onsen is one of the oldest and most celebrated hot spring resorts in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1,000 years. Nestled in the mountains behind Kobe's Mount Rokko, this compact town is famous for two distinct types of thermal water: kinsen (gold water), a reddish-brown iron- and salt-rich spring, and ginsen (silver water), a clear carbonated radium spring. Public bathhouses Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu allow visitors to experience both types at affordable prices. The charming town center features narrow streets lined with traditional ryokan, souvenir shops selling tansan senbei crackers, and free foot baths. Despite its proximity to Kobe, Arima retains a tranquil atmosphere that has attracted visitors since ancient times.