Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen is the classic Japanese hotspring resort. Nestling between mountains and sea, Kinosaki has escaped the concrete and glaring pachinko parlours of other Japanese towns. Traditional wooden houses sit along the willow-lined river which carries colourful koi carp through the town centre.

“Communal bathing in public hot springs is an essential part of Japanese culture. No trip to Japan would be complete without this experience and Kinosaki Onsen honours this tradition in beautiful, rustic style”

Samantha Barrow, Expert Travel Consultant and former resident of Kinosaki Onsen

Hot springs were discovered in Kinosaki around the 8th century. According to legend, storks would bathe in the marshes of Kinosaki to heal their wounds. Later bath houses were built over these sites to take advantage of the healing waters. Today the hot springs are believed to cure all manner of ailments from rheumatism to high blood pressure.

Visitors come to Kinosaki to stay in beautiful Japanese inns or ryokan where they enjoy a sumptuous banquet of delicious local cuisine including the famous crab. But by 6pm everyone ventures outside again to visit the bath houses. 'Clip-clop, clip-clop' goes the sound of wooden geta sandals as bathers dressed in summer kimono or yukata weave their way between the seven onsen over wooden bridges lit by atmospheric lanterns. Each onsen hot spring has a different feel and in the course of the evening guests may take a therapeutic soak in all of them!

There has always been a certain sense of spirituality linked to onsen bathing; the notion of cleanliness and purity being linked to Shintoism. This air of holiness permeates Kinosaki and has inspired artists, authors and calligraphers for centuries. A magical stay in Kinosaki Onsen may well be the highlight of your trip to Japan.

Recommended Accommodation in Kinosaki Onsen

The following are our favourites from among the western-style hotels and Japanese-style inns of Kinosaki Onsen.

Kinosaki Onsen

Nishimuraya Shogetsutei

Superior
Kinosaki Onsen

Mikuniya Ryokan

Moderate
Kinosaki Onsen

Nishimuraya Honkan

Deluxe

Experiences in Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen offers a wealth of exciting experiences that will help you get beneath the surface of Japan's fascinating culture. See below for a few of our favourites

Kinosaki Onsen

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Weather in Kinosaki Onsen

The Climate Guide for Kinosaki Onsen, Japan is perfect for planning your holiday. Monthly weather averages give the best indication of what the weather is usually like for every month of the year including figures for temperature, rainfall and sunshine.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Max Daytime Temperature (°C)	6	6	10	16	21	24	28	30	25	20	14	9
Min Night-time Temperature (°C)	-1	-1	1	7	11	16	21	22	17	11	6	1
Hours of Sunshine (Daily)	2	3	4	6	6	5	5	6	4	4	3	3
Hours of Daylight (Daily)	10	11	12	13	14	14	14	13	12	11	10	10
Heat and Humidity Discomfort	None	None	None	None	None	None	Moderate	High	Low	None	None	None
Days with some Rainfall	16	15	16	14	14	17	18	16	16	13	13	14
Monthly Rainfall (mm)	46	42	43	65	166	248	235	201	250	134	54	39
UV Index (Maximum)	2	4	5	7	9	10	10	10	8	5	3	2

Featured trips including Kinosaki Onsen

Small Group Tour

Majestic Japan (IJT Superior)
- Tokyo
- Kanazawa
- Kyoto
- Kinosaki Onsen
- Hiroshima
- Hakone
- Tokyo
Coastal cities, hot-spring towns, urban giants and national parks

14 nights: US$10535 Read more >

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Self-Guided Adventure

Japanese Hotsprings Honeymoon (Superior)
- Tokyo
- Hakone
- Kyoto
- Kinosaki Onsen
- Osaka
Japan's hot spring bathing culture and scenic countryside make it a wonderfully romantic setting for a honeymoon.

11 nights: from US$6986 pp (twin share) Read more >

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Self-Guided Adventure

Japanese Hotsprings Honeymoon (Classic)
- Tokyo
- Hakone
- Kyoto
- Kinosaki Onsen
- Osaka
Japan's hot spring towns and vibrant cities make for a perfect setting for a romantic honeymoon

11 nights: from US$4088 pp (twin share) Read more >

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