TAKE THE TRAIN

Kinosaki Onsen has its own train station location on the JR San-in Main Line. JR Limited Express trains are convenient for access from JR Kyoto, Osaka, Sannomiya, and Himeji. (The HAMAKAZE limited express trains are operated on a limited basis, please check the timetables in advance.) Below is a list of possible train options. For accurate times and train listings please use WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY website to look up your train information.

From TOKYO

From Tokyo take the shinkansen HIKARI to JR Kyoto Station or JR Shin-Osaka station and then transfer to limited express train.
It takes approximately 5 hours from JR Tokyo Station.

From KYOTO

From JR Kyoto station. It takes approximately 2.5 hours by Limited Express train KINOSAKI or HASHIDATE. A transfer at JR Fukuchiyama Station may be required.

From OSAKA

From Osaka. It takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes by Limited Express train KONOTORI. A transfer in JR Fukuchiyama Station to Limited Express train KINOSAKI may be required.

From KOBE

From Kobe, take the Limited Express train HAMAKAZE from JR Sannomiya Station directly to Kinosaki. It takes approximately 2.5 hours. It may also be possible to take rapid service trains to JR Amagasaki and transfer to limited express train KONOTORI.

From HIMEJI

From Himeji take the Limited Express train HAMAKAZE from JR Himeji Station. It takes approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.

From KANSAI INT. AIRPORT

From Kansai International airport take the Limited Express HARUKA to Tennoji. Then transfer to Limited Express KONOTORI at JR Osaka Station.

From NARITA INT. AIRPORT

From Narita International airport take the Limited Express Narita Express to JR Tokyo Station.
Then take the shinkansen* to Kyoto. From Kyoto follow the train access directions listed above.
*JR passes can NOT be used with “NOZOMI”, “MIZUHO”, or “HAYABUSA” shinkansens.

JR Pass Information

Kansai WIDE Area Pass

Unlimited rides on non-reserved seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima), the Limited Express. Rapid Service and local trains from Kansai Airport to Okayama, Kurashiki, Shirahama, Kinosaki Onsen and Takamatsu, in addition to the Kansai area.

Validity Period

5 Days

Price outside Japan*

9,000 yen for adults and 4,500 yen for children when the pass is purchased online or from a travel agent outside of Japan.

Price inside Japan*

9,500 yen for adults and 4,750 yen for children when the pass is purchased from a JR-West station after arriving in Japan.

*Prices listed were taken from West Japan Railway Company website on March 2018. Prices are subject to change. Please visit their site for more information and up-to-date information.

More Pass Details

Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

Unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima), the Limited Express. Rapid Service and local trains with non-reserved seats, and the JR-West Miyajima Ferry from Kansai Airport to Hiroshima, Okayama and Takamatsu, in addition to Kansai area.

Validity Period

5 Days

Price outside Japan*

13,500 yen for adults and 6,750 yen for children when the pass is purchased online or from a travel agent outside of Japan.

Price inside Japan*

14,500 yen for adults and 7,250 yen for children when the pass is purchased from a JR-West station after arriving in Japan.

*Prices listed were taken from West Japan Railway Company website on March 2018. Prices are subject to change. Please visit their site for more information and up-to-date information.

More Pass Details

Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass

Unlimited rides on non-reserved seats on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Limited Express, Rapid Service and local trains Kansai Airport to the Hokuriku area, in addition to the Kansai area.

Validity Period

5 Days

Price outside Japan*

15,000 yen for adults and 7,500 yen for children when the pass is purchased online or from a travel agent outside of Japan.

Price inside Japan*

16,000 yen for adults and 8,000 yen for children when the pass is purchased from a JR-West station after arriving in Japan.

*Prices listed were taken from West Japan Railway Company website on March 2018. Prices are subject to change. Please visit their site for more information and up-to-date information.

More Pass Details

RIDE THE BUS

here is a highway bus that offers quick, safe and affordable travel between Osaka – Kinosaki Onsen and Kobe – Kinosaki Onsen. Zentan Bus Company operates this bus. Below is an overview of the highway express buses available from Osaka and Kobe. For more detailed information you can visit SOZORO KINOSAKI ONSEN TOURIST INFORMATION center’s website. The access information is to their information center located directly in front of the Kinosaki Onsen train station.

From OSAKA

It takes approximately 3 hours 20 minutes from Osaka (Hankyu San Bangai).
Express Bus services provided five(5) times a day by Zentan Bus are easy and reasonable (reservation required).
It costs 3,700 yen for a one-way ticket between Osaka and Kinosaki Onsen. A discount is offered for round-trip purchases.

From KOBE

It takes approximately 3 hours 10 minutes from Kobe (departure from Shinki bus Sannomiya bus terminal). Highway Bus services provided three (3) times a day by Zentan Bus are easy and reasonable (reservation required) between Kobe to Kinosaki Onsen. A discount is offered for round-trip purchases. One way fare is 3,300 yen per person.

Highway Express Bus Online Reservations

Reservations made through SOZORO Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Information website

You can start your journey via bus from Kansai International Airport as well. It takes approximately 60 minutes from Terminal 1 at Kansai International Airport and 60 minutes from Terminal 2 to Hankyu Umeda (Shin Hankyu Hotel) in Osaka. From Osaka follow the directions listed above.

DRIVE

Access by Car

With the extension of the highway nearing completion, it is now faster to get to Kinosaki Onsen by car. With a valid driver’s license from your home country combined with a valid driving permit it is possible to rent a car here in Japan. Driving in the country is also comparably easier and less stressful than the city thanks to wider roads and fewer traffic.

From KYOTO

It takes just a little over 2.5 hours from Kyoto Station, depending on traffic, to reach Kinosaki Onsen and is approximately 145km.
Take the Kyoto Jukan Expressway to Yoza-Amanohashidate Interchange. From here you will take the local Route 176 to local Route 312. Local Route 312 all the way to Kinosaki Onsen.

From OSAKA

It takes just a little over 2.5 hours from Osaka Station, depending on traffic, to reach Kinosaki Onsen and is approximately 165km.
Take the Chugoku Expressway to Yokawa Junction. Then get onto the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway to Kasuga Interchange. From here take the Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway to Hidaka-Kannabekogen exit. After you get off at this exit you will get onto Route 312 and take it all the way to Kinosaki Onsen.

Before you come we would like you to realize that this is a rural part of Japan. Unlike the urban cities like Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo there are limited train routes & times as well as limited bus routes & times. While there is public transport available to most areas they can be very limited. But unlike the cities the roads here are wider and easier to drive and many locals depend on their own private vehicle to get around. Getting around by car is the easiest and most convenient way, although it may not be an option for everyone. Please check transportation availability to your desired destinations ahead of time.

Toyooka Access

Toyooka is located on the JR San-in Main Line and is one stop before Kinosaki Onsen and a JR pass can be used to get to Toyooka Station.

Toyooka – Kinosaki Onsen:
Take a local train between Toyooka and Kinosaki Onsen which takes about 12 minutes. It is a direct train and requires no transfers. Beware that the last train from Toyooka to Kinosaki Onsen is at around 22:14 and the last train from Kinosaki Onsen to Toyooka is at around 22:01.

Izushi Access

There are no trains to Izushi, the only way to get to Izushi is by bus, car, taxi or possibly bicycle.
BUS: Take the ZENTAN BUS from Toyooka Station (Bus stop located in front of the kiosk located on the east side of the station) bound for IZUSHI (出石) bus NO.31, 32 or 33. Get off at IZUSHI, approximately the 10th stop. Note that the last bus from Izushi to Toyooka departs at 18:25. Please check the times in advanced.

Kannabe Access

To get to Kannabe you can take a train to Ebara Station and then transfer to the local bus line. Kannabe is accessible only by bus, car or taxi. The nearest train station is Ebara Train station but is approximately a 20 minute drive from the major attractions of Kannabe. TRAIN + BUS: Take a local train to JR EBARA STATION from JR TOYOOKA STATION. It is about a 10 minute ride. Get off at Ebara Station. Exit through the EAST EXIT to the Zentan Bus Stand and take bus NO.11 bound for Kannabe Kogen (神鍋高原). If you are going to Yutorogi Onsen or Up Kannabe Ski Area get off at KANNABE ONSEN YUTOROGI-MAE.
ZENTAN BUS KANNABE KOGEN BUS LINE TIMETABLE

Takeno Access

Takeno has a train station on the JR San-in Main Line. This train station is JR TAKENO STATION and from the station it is about a 20 minute walk to Takeno Beach.
To get to Takeno you can take a train from Toyooka about 25 min or from Kinosaki Onsen about 10 minutes. From Kannabe the fastest way is to drive through the mountains along Route 712 and Route 1 which takes about 35 minutes. You could alternatively take a bus down from Kannabe to Ebara Station and take the train to Takeno this route takes about 2 hours.
In addition, depending on your athletic level and the weather it is possible to rent a bicycle in Kinosaki Onsen for the day (must be returned by 5pm the same day) and bike along the Maruyama River (Route 3) and scenic coastline (Route 11) to Takeno, although there are several steep hills and you must be careful of traffic on the narrow roads.
If you take the train to Takeno you can walk to the beach or rent a bicycle from the tourist counter at the station (there is a limited number of bikes and they are rented on a first-come-first-served basis).

Kehi Beach & Maruyama River Park (Maruyamagawa Koen) Access

Kehi Beach and Maruyama River Park are located on the east side of the Maruyama River north of Kinosaki Onsen. The closes train station is Kinosaki Onsen Station. From the station there is a bus that can take you close to Kehi Beach and Maruyama River Park, but not all the way.

BUS: Take the Zentan Bus from Kinosaki Onsen Station bus stop located in front of the station near Satono Yu. Get on the bus bound for Hiyoriyama (日和山). Ride the bus for about 6 minutes and get off at Oshima (小島) about the 5th stop. After you get off you should see a large bridge just ahead that crosses the Maruyama River. There is a pedestrian bridge that we suggest using to cross. From the bus stop it is about a 20 minute walk to Kehi Beach and camp grounds, as well as Maruyama River Park.
After you cross the bridge to get to Kehi Beach turn left and to get to Maruyama River Park turn right, you will see a shrine called Kinumaki Shrine where the road splits to go to either. The road to Maruyama River Park will be narrow at first, please be careful of oncoming traffic here. Follow this road along the river all the way to Maruyama River Park.
To get to Kehi Beach, turn left at the shrine and follow the road to the first traffic light. At the traffic light turn left again, this road will take you straight out to the beach.

WALK OR BICYCLE: From Kinosaki Onsen you may also be interested in renting a bicycle and riding out to Kehi Beach and or Maruyama River Park as well. It is about a 30 minute ride or 45 minute walk. From Kinosaki Onsen Station go right and up Eki Road towards Jizou Yu. Turn right at the light before the crossing the canal. Then at the next light turn left onto Route 3 and stay on this road for about 2km. In about 2km you will see a bridge that crosses the Maruyama River. Cross this bridge and follow the directions given about.

Tsuiyama Access

Tsuiyama is the fishing port north of Kinosaki and where the Maruyama River meets with the Sea of Japan.
You can get here by bus, car, taxi, bicycle or even walking.

BUS: From Kinosaki Onsen Station take the Zentan Bus bound for Hiyoriyama (日和山), get on at the bus stop located in front of the station next to Satono Yu. Get off at TSUIYAMA BUS STOP about 8 minutes from Kinosaki Onsen and about the 7th bus stop. Walk ahead to the traffic light and turn right, crossing the small bridge. You will now be in the fishing port town of Tsuiyama.

WALK OR BICYCLE: From Kinosaki Onsen you may also be interested in renting a bicycle and riding out to Tsuiyama as well. It is about a 30 minute ride or 45 minute walk. From Kinosaki Onsen Station go right and up Eki Road towards Jizou Yu. Turn right at the light before the crossing the canal. Then at the next light turn left onto Route 3 and stay on this road for about 3.5km. In about 3.5km you come to a T-intersection and traffic light. Turn right at this light and cross the small bridge, you will now be in Tsuiyama.

Hiyoriyama Access

Hiyoriyama is located above the Sea of Japan on the coastal cliffs, this is also where the aquarium Marine World is located.

BUS: From Kinosaki Onsen Station take the Zentan Bus bound for Hiyoriyama (日和山), get on at the bus stop located in front of the station next to Satono Yu. Get off at the last stop HIYORIYAMA about 10 minutes from Kinosaki Onsen and about the 9th(last) bus stop. You should now be right in front of Marine World.

WALK OR BICYCLE: From Kinosaki Onsen you may also be interested in renting a bicycle and riding out to Tsuiyama as well. It is about a 45 minute ride or 60 minute walk. From Kinosaki Onsen Station go right and up Eki Road towards Jizou Yu. Turn right at the light before the crossing the canal. Then at the next light turn left onto Route 3 and stay on this road for about 3.5km. In about 3.5km you come to a T-intersection and traffic light. Go straight through the light and along the canal road. Follow the canal road and stay to the left when it divides. Follow the bigger road up the hill to the top where you will end up at Marine World.

Tanto Access

Tanto is located far out in the countryside, away from the noise and clutter of any city. It is a quiet retreat and can be a little tricky to get to. Buses to Tanto are few and far between. We highly recommend driving to Tanto, it will also give you more freedom and mobility to explore the area once you are here.
The fastest way to access Tanto is from Kyoto. Kyoto is only 2.5 hours from Tanto. From Kyoto Station you would take an express train to FUKUCHIYAMA and from there would need to drive to Tanto as there are no buses that run this course.
If you would like to take a bus you can take a bus from Toyooka Station to Izushi, transfer buses in Izushi for one bound for Tanto.

TRAIN + CAR(From Kyoto): Take the Limited Express Train from KYOTO Station to FUKUCHIYAMA Station. From Fukuchiyama Station you will need to drive along Route 426 to Tanto, this is about 35km and takes about 40 minutes.

BUS: From TOYOOKA Station take the Zentan Bus bound for Izushi (出石). Get off at IZUSHI(出石) the 22nd stop about a 30 minute ride. From Izushi transfer to the Zentan Bus bound for OKUFUJI (奥藤) and get off at DEAIDANCHI MAE (出合団地前) about the 14th stop and about a 17 minute ride. From the bus stop walk balk down Route 482 for about 350m. After you cross the river and walk a few more minutes you will see the public library and Tanto Silk Road Tourism Center on your left. *Bus times and numbers are very limited, traveling by car is preferred.

There is a local car company that offers rental cars to foreign drivers and are able to assist you in English or Japanese. For more information please refer to the links below. Note, if you wish to rent a car you will need a valid Japanese driver’s license or valid international driving permit during the duration of your rental. For information on how to obtain an international driving permit please consult your local authorities.

• Kounotori Rent-a-car from Kinosaki
  Kei Car
• Kounotori Rent-a-car from Kinosaki
  Compact Car