Located across the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture and the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture, North Kansai has many onsen sites. The area is popular not only for onsen but also for fresh local crab from the Japan Sea, especially in winter. The surrounding area also has lots of nature and historical sites to see.
This popular onsen town is a picturesque setting for people wandering around relaxed in yukata cotton kimono and geta wooden clogs. While visiting seven drop-by onsen facilities, you can enjoy various amusements,shopping, eating, and drinking at recreation halls, shops, and stores. The area along the river lined with willows is popular as a representative landscape of Kinosaki, which also offers a wonderful snow-covered landscape in winter.
At the back of the onsen town, you can take Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway to the mountain top, from where you can see the onsen town and the Maruyama River. At Genbudo Park in the area, you can see beautiful shapes of rocks created by volcanic activity.
This onsen has one of the highest spring water temperatures in Japan. The hot spring source is called “arayu” – it has as much as 470 liters per minute of hot spring water at a temperature of 98 degrees Celsius gushing out. You can also boil eggs to make delicious “onsen tamago.”
Along the river near arayu, there is a foot bath facility as well as an onsen facility (Refresh Park Yumura), where you can soak in a hot spring wearing a bathing suit.
Appearing in Japanese mythology with its mysterious shape, “Amanohashidate” is ranked as one of the Three Most Scenic Spots in Japan. The view from Amanohashidate View Land is just gorgeous. In addition to the natural scenery, the area has lots else to see, including historic Kono-jinja Shrine, making this onsen a perfect hub for sightseeing.
Famous for making the skin beautiful, Amanohashidate Onsen’s water is characterized by its slightly brownish-red color. The winter delicacies of this area include not only famous crab but also winter yellowtail, which is great in shabushabu.
With its efficacy for making the skin nice and smooth, Yuhigaura Onsen is popularly called “Onsen for Beauty.” Facing the Japan Sea, the onsen town has a beautiful sand beach for eight km along the coast.
The sunset over the horizon creates a romantic atmosphere, attracting lovers. It beautifully enhances the contrast between the silhouette of strange-shaped rocks and lapping waves.
