Just an hour by car or train from Shin-Osaka, or about two hours from Kansai International Airport, lies one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring resorts. Arima Onsen, alongside Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma) and Gero Onsen (Gifu), is one of Japan’s sanmeisen, or “three famed hot springs.” Nestled in tranquil mountain settings, “Kansai’s hidden retreat” offers visitors not only healing waters to soak in but also numerous local gourmet delights, making it a much-loved getaway for both relaxation and culinary pleasure.
 

First Stop: A Stroll around Arima Onsen Upon Arrival

 A gentle slope leads from the station to the hot spring town, lined with historic wooden buildings on both sides.

After a 30-minute train ride from Kobe-Sannomiya Station, you’ll arrive at Arima Onsen Station. Plan to arrive before noon and take a leisurely stroll through the hot spring town. Walking along the main street, Yumotozaka, enjoy exploring the chic cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The town, steeped in history and charm, also boasts fashionable new shops keeping pace with the latest trends—a unique blend of tradition and modernity that defines Arima.

Savor Unique Sweets at a Retro Western-Style Building in the Heart of Town

A five-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station brings you to a charming white building of Western-style architecture. Rest awhile at Cafe de Beau, a café and confectionery shop offering a plethora of treats, from cakes featuring seasonal fruits and French pastries to Japanese-style sweets made with local ingredients such as Tanba black soybeans. Their most popular item, the “Arima Roll,” is made with rice flour and salt extracted from Arima’s golden waters (kinsen), lending it a luxurious fluffy texture and delicately balanced sweet and savory taste. Eating golden water—now there’s a novel way to improve your health!

Enjoy the Fall Foliage at a Park Steeped in Autumn Hues

Another of Arima Onsen’s famous attractions is its beautiful autumn foliage. The most famous spot for viewing the autumn leaves is Zuihoji Park, set up at the site of the abandoned Zuihoji Temple. The park is home to about 2,500 maple trees that transform into a vibrant palette of fall hues from early November. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a prominent historical figure, was so captivated by the scenery that he praised it as “a garden one could never tire of,” earning it the nickname “Higurashi-no-niwa,” or “The Garden of All-Day Delight.”

Delight in Local Ingredients with the Creations of a “Fermentation Sommelier”

The culinary world is abuzz with excitement for fermented foods, and chefs across the world are taking notice. Arima’s very own Hacco-enn is centered around fermentation (hakko in Japanese), using koji (fermented rice culture) to offer up healthy, invigorating meals. The dishes here feature exquisite traditional Japanese fermented foods, and the staff, certified as “Fermentation Sommeliers,” are wellsprings of knowledge, on hand to enrich your dining experience and guide you through the nutritional benefits and effects of each fermented delicacy. Each meticulously prepared fermented dish is a revelation of flavors and textures, a perfect bite of slow food.

Take a Moment to Unwind with a Blissful Coffee Break

Kobe’s rich history with Western confectionery, rooted in the former foreign settlement area, has cultivated a thriving culture of innovative pâtissiers and renowned establishments. What’s more, Kobe is the birthplace of Japan’s coffee culture.

After your meal, why not head to Sora Cafe for a specialty coffee experience? Located about five minutes from the station, this café stands out for its contemporary artsy ambiance, a stark contrast to the traditional atmosphere of Arima Onsen. The aroma of the coffee, made from rare beans and carefully ground and brewed to order, fills the entire café with its rich and luxurious aroma. The “Arima Blend,” available at the counter, also makes for a perfect Arima Onsen souvenir.

Spend a Tranquil Evening at a Nostalgic Onsen Inn

Arima Onsen has long been a much-loved retreat for many, from warlords like Toyotomi Hideyoshi seeking solace from battle fatigue to modern literary giants like Junichiro Tanizaki. The area is famous for its two distinct types of hot springs: the rich amber kinsen (golden waters) and the clear ginseng (silver waters), each offering different therapeutic qualities. After an early dinner at your lodgings, take a walk outside wearing the traditional geta (wooden sandals) provided. The clack of geta against stone-paved streets, illuminated by the warm glow of streetlights, is a charming source of nostalgia in and of itself. After your stroll, take another soak in the hot springs or, instead, enjoy a quiet evening of reading, channeling the spirits of past literary figures. However you choose to pass the time, a serene, indulgent night awaits.

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Treat Yourself to the Real Deal in the Birthplace of Kobe Beef

Provided by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association.

No visit to Kobe would be complete without a taste of Kobe beef, known worldwide for its unparalleled quality. The pinnacle of wagyu beef, Kobe is synonymous with premium meat, and the area around Kitano Ijinkan and Sannomiya, a 15-minute walk apart, is teeming with restaurants serving up tender, marbled, melt-in-the-mouth Kobe beef. The sizzling steak, presented with a flourish, is a feast for the senses—utter contentment for both the stomach and heart.

Float Away in the Evening Cool Aboard the Luxurious boh boh KOBE

Kobe Port is a beloved spot where locals and tourists alike stroll and relax at nearby cafes. For a different perspective, try enjoying the port from the deck of boh boh KOBE, a resort cruise that circles Kobe Port. This cruise offers breathtaking views from the third-floor open deck with vistas of Mount Rokko and Kobe Port Tower. Step aboard and let the port gradually fade into the distance as you drift off into an evening of dreamlike beauty.

Onboard the boh boh Kobe, a café offers snacks like the “Fish Dog” made with so-called sakana-pan bread from Kobe’s renowned bakery Ça Marche, along with soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The specialty sake “—ZUI—,” aged for six months in the Minatogawa Tunnel, is crisp, fruity, and goes down smooth. The icing on the cake? There’s no need for reservations—simply purchase your ticket on the spot and embark on an experience of pure luxury.

Drink In Kobe’s Enchanting Night View from Port Tower

Located about 15 minutes on foot from JR Kobe Station, the Bay Area where Kobe Port Tower stands is known for its stunning night views, making it a classic date spot for locals. The million-dollar view is a must-see when visiting Kobe—and perhaps also a fitting place for any planned romantic proposals.

Standing 108 meters tall, Kobe Port Tower is designed to resemble an elongated tsuzumi (traditional Japanese hand drum). It’s the world’s first pipe-structured tower and is registered as one of Japan’s prestigious Tangible Cultural Properties.

Tickets for the main observation floor and rooftop deck require a ticket specifying the date and time of the visit. If there are available slots, same-day tickets can be purchased at the 1st-floor ticket booth. To avoid long waits or missing out, advance ticket purchases are recommended.

Once you’ve had your fill of Kobe’s luxurious array of experiences, continue your adult getaway by heading on to Kyushu—a whole new world to discover just a 2.5-hour shinkansen ride from Shin-Kobe.

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Access to Hyogo Prefecture

Hyogo Prefecture is accessible by Shinkansen (JR) from Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Travel by air to Kansai International Airport is also convenient, with limousine bus services to Shin-Kobe available from the airport.

Arima Onsen, featured in this article, can be reached conveniently from Shin-Kobe in about 30 minutes by highway bus.

Alternatively, take the metro from Shin-Kobe to Tanigami station and transfer to Kobe Electric Railway for a 30-minute ride to Arima Onsen station.

After your journey in Hyogo Prefecture, consider continuing your trip from Shin-Kobe to Shikoku by bus, or to Kyushu by Shinkansen (JR).

Cafe De Beau

Address: 835 Arimacho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
Hours: 9:00–18:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Tel.: 078-904-0555

Zuihoji Park

Address: 500-19 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Hours: Open 24 hours
Tel.: 078-904-0708 (Arima Onsen Tourist Information Center)

Hacco-enn

Address: 1030 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Tel.: 078-904-0233
Hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–20:00
Closed: Tuesdays

Sora Cafe Arima Onsen

Address: 199-10 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Tel.: 078-903-6666
Hours: 9:30–17:00
Closed: Thursdays
Parking available (3 spaces)

KOBE SEA BUS, boh boh KOBE

13-minute walk from JR Kobe Station via the underground shopping mall, heading toward the Mosaic shopping mall

Kobe Port Tower

Address: 5-5 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan