Arima Onsen and Mount Rokko Course of Hot Springs and Mountain Views

This is a greedy course of mountains and hot springs that combines Arima Onsen, counted among Japan three oldest hot springs, with Mount Rokko looking down over the city of Kobe, all in a single day. You stroll the atmospheric hot spring town and ride the ropeway up to the summit of Mount Rokko. It is a plan unique to the Kobe area where you can enjoy nature, famous baths and the makings of a night view all at once. Arima is an ancient spa mentioned in the classic Pillow Book, and in Edo era hot spring rankings it was placed at the top western rank known as Nishi Ozeki.

Course Route

9:30 Arrive at Arima Onsen and start This hot spring resort is easy to reach from the Sannomiya area by the Kobe Electric Railway or by highway bus. By bus, allow roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Sannomiya. 9:45 Stroll the hot spring town Walk the old fashioned spa town where long established inns and souvenir shops line the narrow slopes. Wandering lanes such as Yumoto zaka is full of charm. 10:30 Visit the Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu public baths The iron rich chloride Kinsen spring is clear when it emerges but turns reddish brown on contact with the air. The clear Ginsen is a bicarbonate spring and a radium bearing radioactive spring. You can enjoy these two distinctive baths of Arima at their respective public bathhouses, with admission around a few hundred yen each. 12:00 Lunch in the hot spring town Try the specialty carbonated senbei crackers, or local dishes made with Tajima beef at the eateries. 13:30 From Arima Onsen Station to the Rokko Arima ropeway The ropeway connecting Arima Onsen Station with the Rokko summit station takes about 12 minutes. Enjoy an aerial walk on the way up. 14:00 Stroll around the summit of Mount Rokko Enjoy the viewpoints, gardens and seasonal flower fields. At around 900 meters, the summit is several degrees cooler than the city. 16:00 A sweeping city view from Rokko Garden Terrace A grand panorama spreads out from the Akashi Strait toward Osaka. 17:00 Finish while gazing at the mountain top scenery The closer it gets to dusk, the more beautiful the city lights become. The Mount Rokko summit is also known as one of the three great night views of Japan.

Highlights

The Kinsen spring at Arima is known for warming you to the core, and a stroll through the spa town after a bath is full of charm. The summit of Mount Rokko is beautiful through the seasons, and the view from Garden Terrace is a famous Kobe sightseeing spot. Enjoying both hot springs and mountains at once is the real pleasure of this course.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: Autumn when the leaves turn and winter evenings when the night view is crystal clear are especially popular. If you are aiming for the night view, arriving at the summit about an hour before sunset gives you room to enjoy it.
• Avoiding crowds: The ropeway gets busy on weekends and during the autumn leaf season. Touring the Arima side in the early morning and heading up to the summit in the afternoon tends to be smoother.
• Time guide: Allow about three hours for the Arima stroll and baths, about 12 minutes each way on the ropeway, and about three hours for the summit stroll, and you can enjoy the full course at a relaxed pace over a single day.
• Budget feel: Admission to Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu is a few hundred yen each, and even including the ropeway and lunch, this day trip stays within a comfortable range.
• Real nearby spots: On the Arima side, facilities such as Taiko no Yu, where the brown Kinsen can be enjoyed close to its source, are well known. Around the summit there are areas such as Rokko Garden Terrace and gardens where you can enjoy nature, worth visiting together if you have time.

Access and Tips

Arima Onsen can be reached from Sannomiya by highway bus or train. The spa town and the summit of Mount Rokko are connected by ropeway, so getting around is smooth. The summit is cooler than the city, so bringing a light jacket is reassuring.

A Quick Tip

If you plan to try the public baths, bringing your own towel is convenient. The Kinsen can stain a towel, so using a hand towel you do not mind getting marked is safer. If you want to stay for the evening view, check the last departures of the ropeway and buses in advance. The summit gets chilly at night, so a layer to throw on is comfortable in any season.