Sample Itineraries

Leave Kyoto by express train to Kinosaki Onsen.

Spend time exploring the many fascinating shops in Kinosaki. Then, you can take the Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway up halfway to Onsenji Station, where you can visit the Onsenji Temple. Afterwards, you can hop back on the ropeway to go up to the top of the mountain. From there you can sip coffee while enjoying the view, or try your hand at throwing small discs (kawarake) at a target located just off the mountain.

Other available activities include a straw craft workshop (1 hour), CREEZAN's leather origami workshop (30-45 minutes), and SOZORO bicycle renting.

Spend the night in your ryokan, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and delicious dinner.

Start off the day with breakfast in your ryokan. Afterwards, take a JR train to Toyooka Station, followed by a local train to Ebara Station. From there, you will meet your guide who will take you the rest of the way by car to the Kannabe Highlands (be sure to enjoy the scenery by looking out the window!)

In the Kannabe Highlands, you can then enjoy an outdoor lunch with your travel-mates and guide. From there, you can choose to either go on an eco-tour or go paragliding, as long as weather permits.

For the eco-tour, you can either go cycling around the area or do Volcanic Rock Trekking. If you choose Volcanic Rock Trekking, your guide will drive you to the start of the trek (on foot), where you can see waterfalls and rocks formed from lava that flowed hundreds of years ago. Cycling around the area includes many of these spots as well. Afterwards, you may be able to ride in a hot air balloon.

For paragliding, you will be strapped onto the paraglider together with a guide to help you. If you decide to go paragliding, there will not be time for any of the other Kannabe Highlands activities.

Afterwards, take a train from Ebara Station back to Kinosaki Onsen Station for hot springs visits and dinner at your ryokan.

Have breakfast in your ryokan before heading out to explore more of Kinosaki. Afterwards, choose between two self-guided tours you can take using a rental bicycle.

One option is to go for the Nature & Stork Sanctuary route. You can bike past the Hachigoro Toshima Wetland, where you can spot the famous Oriental White Storks in their natural habitat. Also, you can visit Genbudo Park, and see magnificent caves made of hexagonal pillars that formed as the result of a volcanic explosion. Have lunch at the Genbudo Museum right nearby.

The other option is to bike in the River & Port area. On this route, you can bike to Kehi Beach, Tsuiyama Fishing Port, and past the Maruyama River. During the spring and summer months, you can enjoy swimming in the ocean at Kehi Beach, as well as BBQing. See the sea life and have lunch at Kinosaki Marine World.

In mid-afternoon, leave Kinosaki Onsen by express train back to Kyoto.