One Route, Two Worlds: A 3-Day Journey through Kannabe & Kinosaki
Journey from Osaka into two contrasting worlds: the open highlands of Kannabe and the atmospheric onsen streets of Kinosaki. Whether surrounded by vibrant greenery or blanketed in snow, this three-day itinerary reveals a different kind of beauty in every season.
- DETAILS
-
- Kinosaki OnsenKannabe
- 3 days, 2 nights
- train / bus
- Friends / Colleaguesfamily with kids
- All season
Day 1
JR Osaka Station
Departs JR Osaka Station at 9:10 a.m.（Kounotori No. 3: Bound for Kinosaki Onsen）
About140min.
by train
JR Ebara Station
Arrive at JR Ebara Station at 11:33 a.m.
Take the East Exit and proceed directly to the "Ebara Station (江原駅)" bus stop outside the station.
Board the 11:40 a.m. local bus to the Kannabe Highlands. Then sit back and enjoy the scenery as the bus makes its way into the mountains.
Take the East Exit and proceed directly to the "Ebara Station (江原駅)" bus stop outside the station.
Board the 11:40 a.m. local bus to the Kannabe Highlands. Then sit back and enjoy the scenery as the bus makes its way into the mountains.
About20min.
by bus
Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen
12:11 p.m. — Arrive at Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi-mae
Get off at the "Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi-mae (神鍋温泉ゆとろぎ前) "bus stop.
Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen is the perfect base for exploring the area, with hot springs, dining, and shopping nearby.
Get off at the "Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi-mae (神鍋温泉ゆとろぎ前) "bus stop.
Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen is the perfect base for exploring the area, with hot springs, dining, and shopping nearby.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
Lunch at Kogen Kitchen 469
Enjoy lunch at Kogen Kitchen 469, located inside Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About5-10min.
by car
Let's Enjoy Outdoor Activities
After lunch, head outdoors for a seasonal adventure.
If you have booked an activity that includes transportation, your activity provider will pick you up at the roadside station.
- Winter activities: Skiing and snowboarding lessons, snowshoeing
- Green-season activities: Trekking, cycling, hiking, tree climbing, and forest adventures
If you have booked an activity that includes transportation, your activity provider will pick you up at the roadside station.
- Winter activities: Skiing and snowboarding lessons, snowshoeing
- Green-season activities: Trekking, cycling, hiking, tree climbing, and forest adventures
About5-10min.
by car
Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen
After your outdoor activities, relax at Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi, located next to Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen.
Pickup from the roadside station may be available through your accommodation. Please contact them in advance to confirm and make arrangements.
Pickup from the roadside station may be available through your accommodation. Please contact them in advance to confirm and make arrangements.
DISCOVER EVEN MORE
About5-10min.
by car
Check In
Check In to Your Accommodation
The Kannabe Highlands offer a variety of accommodation options, including family-run minshuku guesthouses, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts.
The Kannabe Highlands offer a variety of accommodation options, including family-run minshuku guesthouses, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts.
Dinner
Savor the Flavors of Kannabe
Many local accommodations offer dinner as part of their stay plans. Relax after an active day and enjoy specialties featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients from the Kannabe Highlands.
Many local accommodations offer dinner as part of their stay plans. Relax after an active day and enjoy specialties featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients from the Kannabe Highlands.
Day 2
Breakfast / Optional Morning Walk
A Peaceful Start in the Highlands
During the green season, consider waking up early for a peaceful walk or short hike through the Kannabe Highlands. Then return to your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
During the green season, consider waking up early for a peaceful walk or short hike through the Kannabe Highlands. Then return to your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
Check Out / Travel to Kinosaki
After breakfast, check out and head to JR Ebara Station to continue your journey to Kinosaki Onsen.
Some accommodations offer drop-off service at the station, so consider this option when booking and arrange your transfer in advance.
●By limited express: Take the Kinosaki No. 1 from Ebara Station at 9:33 a.m. to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
●By local train: Depart Ebara Station at 10:00 a.m. and change trains at Toyooka Station, about 10 minutes later. Arrive at Kinosaki Onsen Station at 10:25 a.m.
Some accommodations offer drop-off service at the station, so consider this option when booking and arrange your transfer in advance.
●By limited express: Take the Kinosaki No. 1 from Ebara Station at 9:33 a.m. to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
●By local train: Depart Ebara Station at 10:00 a.m. and change trains at Toyooka Station, about 10 minutes later. Arrive at Kinosaki Onsen Station at 10:25 a.m.
About25min.
by train
Arrive in Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen is a charming hot-spring town known for its tattoo-friendly public bathhouses. Here, the entire town feels like one large ryokan—the station is the entrance, the streets are the hallways, the inns are the guest rooms, the shops are the boutiques, and the seven public bathhouses are the baths.
About5min.
by foot
Strolling / Lunch
Explore Kinosaki on Foot
Kinosaki Onsen’s town center is shaped around two main streets: Station Street and Willow Street.
Begin your stroll along Station Street just outside Kinosaki Onsen Station. The street is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants serving Tajima beef, fresh seafood, and other local specialties. Stop at one of the restaurants for lunch before continuing your walk.
At the end of Station Street, turn left onto Willow Street. This picturesque street follows the Otani River, framed by graceful willow trees—lush and green in the warmer months and often dusted with snow in winter.
Kinosaki Onsen’s town center is shaped around two main streets: Station Street and Willow Street.
Begin your stroll along Station Street just outside Kinosaki Onsen Station. The street is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants serving Tajima beef, fresh seafood, and other local specialties. Stop at one of the restaurants for lunch before continuing your walk.
At the end of Station Street, turn left onto Willow Street. This picturesque street follows the Otani River, framed by graceful willow trees—lush and green in the warmer months and often dusted with snow in winter.
About10min.
by foot
Kinosaki Ropeway
Take in the View from Mount Daishi
Ride the Kinosaki Ropeway to the summit of Mount Daishi and enjoy panoramic views over Kinosaki Onsen and the surrounding landscape. The view from the summit has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Ride the Kinosaki Ropeway to the summit of Mount Daishi and enjoy panoramic views over Kinosaki Onsen and the surrounding landscape. The view from the summit has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.
About4min.
by ropeway
Onsenji Temple
Discover the Origins of Kinosaki Onsen
On your way back down from the summit, get off at the intermediate station to visit Onsenji Temple. Founded by the Buddhist monk Dochi Shonin, this historic temple has watched over Kinosaki Onsen for centuries.
Explore the temple and discover the 1,300-year-old story behind the origins of Kinosaki Onsen.
On your way back down from the summit, get off at the intermediate station to visit Onsenji Temple. Founded by the Buddhist monk Dochi Shonin, this historic temple has watched over Kinosaki Onsen for centuries.
Explore the temple and discover the 1,300-year-old story behind the origins of Kinosaki Onsen.
About4min.
by ropeway
Yakushi Park
Yakushi Park, at the foot of the Kinosaki Ropeway, features the steaming Motoyu hot spring source, a free foot bath, and a fun hot spring egg-making experience.
About3-10min.
by foot
Check In
Settle In at Your Accommodation
Check in to your accommodation and settle into your traditional Japanese-style room. Change into a yukata and get ready for a relaxing evening in Kinosaki Onsen.
Check in to your accommodation and settle into your traditional Japanese-style room. Change into a yukata and get ready for a relaxing evening in Kinosaki Onsen.
Dinner
Enjoy dinner at your accommodation, with local delicacies such as Tajima beef and, during the winter season, snow crab.
About1-10min.
by foot
Hot Spring Hopping
After dinner, embrace one of Kinosaki Onsen’s most beloved traditions: strolling through town in a yukata and visiting its public bathhouses. Guests staying at participating local accommodations receive a complimentary hot-spring pass at check-in. Simply scan its barcode at each bathhouse entrance to enjoy access to the seven public bathhouses until 3:30 p.m. on the day of check-out.
Evening Stroll / Retro Arcades
Kinosaki After Dark
As night falls, Kinosaki Onsen takes on an especially enchanting atmosphere. Wander through the softly lit streets in your yukata, enjoy the reflections along the Otani River, and step into one of the town’s nostalgic game arcades.
Try your hand at smart ball, vintage pachinko, or traditional shooting-gallery games. With the public bathhouses generally open until 11:00 p.m., you can finish the evening with one last soothing soak.
As night falls, Kinosaki Onsen takes on an especially enchanting atmosphere. Wander through the softly lit streets in your yukata, enjoy the reflections along the Otani River, and step into one of the town’s nostalgic game arcades.
Try your hand at smart ball, vintage pachinko, or traditional shooting-gallery games. With the public bathhouses generally open until 11:00 p.m., you can finish the evening with one last soothing soak.
Day 3
Morning Hot Spring
Experience Kinosaki in the Morning
Start your final day with a visit to one of Kinosaki’s public bathhouses. The town feels quieter and more peaceful in the morning, offering a different atmosphere from the softly lit streets of the night before.
Slip into your yukata, take a gentle stroll through town, and enjoy a refreshing soak before breakfast.
Start your final day with a visit to one of Kinosaki’s public bathhouses. The town feels quieter and more peaceful in the morning, offering a different atmosphere from the softly lit streets of the night before.
Slip into your yukata, take a gentle stroll through town, and enjoy a refreshing soak before breakfast.
About1-10min.
by foot
Breakfast
A Relaxing Start to Your Final Day
Return to your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Take time to savor the meal and reflect on your journey through the Kannabe Highlands and Kinosaki Onsen.
Return to your accommodation and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Take time to savor the meal and reflect on your journey through the Kannabe Highlands and Kinosaki Onsen.
Check Out
One Last Stroll through Kinosaki
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and prepare for your journey back to Osaka. If you plan to continue exploring the town, ask whether your accommodation can store your luggage or use the lockers near Kinosaki Onsen Station.
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and prepare for your journey back to Osaka. If you plan to continue exploring the town, ask whether your accommodation can store your luggage or use the lockers near Kinosaki Onsen Station.
About1-10min.
by foot
Straw Craft / Shopping
Take Home a Piece of Kinosaki
Before leaving, discover mugiwara zaiku, Kinosaki’s traditional straw craft. Create your own piece at a hands-on workshop or browse the town’s shops for beautifully crafted boxes, accessories, and other locally made souvenirs.
Advance reservations for the straw craft workshop are recommended to ensure availability.
A handmade creation or locally crafted souvenir makes a meaningful reminder of your time in Kinosaki.
Before leaving, discover mugiwara zaiku, Kinosaki’s traditional straw craft. Create your own piece at a hands-on workshop or browse the town’s shops for beautifully crafted boxes, accessories, and other locally made souvenirs.
Advance reservations for the straw craft workshop are recommended to ensure availability.
A handmade creation or locally crafted souvenir makes a meaningful reminder of your time in Kinosaki.
About150min.
by train
Return to Osaka
Journey Back to Osaka
After your final stroll and shopping, make your way to JR Kinosaki Onsen Station and board your train to Osaka, bringing your three-day journey through two distinct worlds to a close.
After your final stroll and shopping, make your way to JR Kinosaki Onsen Station and board your train to Osaka, bringing your three-day journey through two distinct worlds to a close.