(Green Season) Beaches, Samurai, and Hot Springs
Hot springs, a castle town, and pristine beaches all in 2 days.
- DETAILS
-
- Kinosaki OnsenIzushiTakeno
- 2 days, 1 night
- rental car / taxi
- solo travelersenior travelerfamily with kids
- SpringSummerAutumn
Day 1
Pick up Rental Car in Front of Kinosaki Onsen Station
About30min.
by car
Izushi Castle Town
Your first stop is a time travel getaway in Izushi Castle Town.
This small town brims with old world charm through its retro Japanese architecture and ancient castle ruins.
Be sure to check by the castle ruins' river in summer for a glimpse of hundreds of Japanese windchimes tinkling away in the wind!
These windchimes are all crafted from Izushi pottery, a type of porcelain unique to this town.
This small town brims with old world charm through its retro Japanese architecture and ancient castle ruins.
Be sure to check by the castle ruins' river in summer for a glimpse of hundreds of Japanese windchimes tinkling away in the wind!
These windchimes are all crafted from Izushi pottery, a type of porcelain unique to this town.
About3-10min.
by foot
Samurai House Karoyashiki
Right at the entrance to Izushi Castle Town is a small pavilion with a samurai house, Karoyashiki.
This traditional home-turned-museum was the house of Izushi Castle Town's chief samurai, and now you can take a photo with him in the drawing room!
This traditional home-turned-museum was the house of Izushi Castle Town's chief samurai, and now you can take a photo with him in the drawing room!
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About3min.
by foot
Shinkoro Clock Tower
As you mosey your way through town, you will come across Shinkoro clock tower, one of the oldest clocktowers in Japan and the perfect spot for kimono-clad photos.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About1-10min.
by foot
Lunch
No trip to Izushi Castle Town would be complete without a lunch of Izushi Sara Soba!
These buckwheat noodles are served on five plates, a serving style unique to this town.
Why five plates instead of one? To show off the beautiful porcelain Izushi Pottery.
These buckwheat noodles are served on five plates, a serving style unique to this town.
Why five plates instead of one? To show off the beautiful porcelain Izushi Pottery.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About50min.
by car
Takeno Beach
A half an hour or so in the car will land you at Takeno Beach, one of Japan's top 100 beaches and home to gorgeous cedar architecture resembling Ine boathouses in Kyoto.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Explore the Coast
Did you know?
This area is actually part of a UNESCO Global Geopark!
The San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark's Takeno coastline is stunning to explore by kayak, and certified guides in the area are happy to take you on a tour of the rocky sights.
This area is actually part of a UNESCO Global Geopark!
The San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark's Takeno coastline is stunning to explore by kayak, and certified guides in the area are happy to take you on a tour of the rocky sights.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About15min.
by car
Return Car in Front of Kinosaki Onsen Station
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Check in
It's time to check into your accommodation!
Tonight will be an evening of hot springs, kaiseki banquet meals, and charming scenery in Kinosaki Onsen, a tattoo-friendly hot spring town.
Tonight will be an evening of hot springs, kaiseki banquet meals, and charming scenery in Kinosaki Onsen, a tattoo-friendly hot spring town.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Stroll the Town
After dinner at your accommodation, head out on the town wearing a yukata and go hot spring hopping!
Kinosaki Onsen has seven hot springs dotted throughout town, and all of them are easily walkable.
If you're in town during summer, you might be lucky to catch some fireworks!
Kinosaki Onsen has seven hot springs dotted throughout town, and all of them are easily walkable.
If you're in town during summer, you might be lucky to catch some fireworks!
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Day 2
Hot Spring Hopping
After breakfast, say your goodbyes to the hot springs with one final soak...or more.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Pick up Rental Car in Front of Kinosaki Onsen Station
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About5min.
by car
Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands
The Oriental White Stork is an endangered species of bird and a national natural treasure of Japan.
Just outside of Kinosaki Onsen is Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands, home to one very famous Oriental White Stork who came all the way from China to make this wetland his home!
This is a great spot for some, ahem, "earlybird" watching.
Just outside of Kinosaki Onsen is Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands, home to one very famous Oriental White Stork who came all the way from China to make this wetland his home!
This is a great spot for some, ahem, "earlybird" watching.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About7min.
by car
Genbudo Park
On to some more UNESCO Global Geopark sightseeing!
Genbudo Park is another feature of the San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark with over 1.6 million years of history.
The park consists of 5 caves made of columnar joints that formed over 1.6 million years ago after the magma from a volcanic eruption cooled, contracted, and formed vertical cracks.
These curvaceous columns have a distinctive polygonal shape and a honeycomb pattern.
Genbudo Park is another feature of the San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark with over 1.6 million years of history.
The park consists of 5 caves made of columnar joints that formed over 1.6 million years ago after the magma from a volcanic eruption cooled, contracted, and formed vertical cracks.
These curvaceous columns have a distinctive polygonal shape and a honeycomb pattern.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About3min.
by foot
Genbudo Museum
Genbudo Museum is located at the entrance of Genbudo Park.
On the first floor, guests can experience "willow craft," Toyooka's traditional art of weaving that has a 2,000-year history.
As one wanders the first floor they will also find themselves face to face with an Stegodon fossil, ancient animals which once roamed the region.
On the first floor, guests can experience "willow craft," Toyooka's traditional art of weaving that has a 2,000-year history.
As one wanders the first floor they will also find themselves face to face with an Stegodon fossil, ancient animals which once roamed the region.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About12min.
by car
Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork
See some Oriental White Storks up close!
If you're visiting in the spring, be sure to take a look in the telescope to see some chicks in their nest!
If you're visiting in the spring, be sure to take a look in the telescope to see some chicks in their nest!
About8min.
by car
Caban Street
Do some souvenir shopping on Caban Street, the local shopping hub for designer bags sporting the Toyooka Kaban label.
About20min.
by car
Return Car in Front of Kinosaki Onsen Station
DISCOVER EVEN MORE