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2023/01/10

Hot Springs & Cherry Blossoms 2.5 Hours From Kyoto

Kinosaki Onsen’s Concept – One Large Ryokan

Kinosaki Onsen, which is said to be the birthplace of hot spring hopping, has seven hot springs each with their own charm. Since ancient times, the people of Kinosaki Onsen have thought of the town as one large ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, with the inns as guest rooms and the streets as the hallways, while they welcome guests who come to enter the health-benefitting hot springs.

This mentality still lives on in the town. When you arrive at your ryokan, slip on a yukata, a light cotton kimono, and relieve your daily fatigue by visiting the hot springs.

Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in an Award-Winning Hot Spring Town

From early to mid-April, walk along a cherry blossom-lined canal through a hot spring town steeped in 1,300 years of history and culture. A fundamental part of enjoying Kinosaki Onsen is visiting the public hot springs while wearing a yukata. Change into a yukata at your ryokan before strolling through town past beautiful cherry blossom trees.

Take in the wonderful scenery that can only be found in Kinosaki Onsen while listening to the clip-clop sounds of geta, Japanese wooden sandals.

 

Springtime Sweets

In between hot springs, take some time to savor the flavor of Kinosaki Onsen by trying out the endless variety of sweet shops lining the town streets. Ice-cream, cakes, seasonal Japanese sweets, and more are waiting for you this spring.

Blossoms Near Kinosaki

Kinosaki Onsen is surrounded by lush mountains, crystal clear seas with white sandy beaches, and expansive countryside. Each area offers unique experiences and, of course, beautiful cherry blossom scenes of their own.

 

Takeno Seaside Area
Cherry blossoms bloom along the Takeno River and near the mountains. They can be viewed from early to mid-April.

 

Izushi Castle Town
Many cherry blossoms bloom around the Izushi Castle Ruins and are viewable from early to mid-April.

 

Kannabe Highlands
The cherry blossoms in the Kannabe Highlands bloom a little later than those found in Kinosaki. They can be viewed from mid to late April.

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