I wish I could freeze time at... Kinosaki Onsen

Have you ever been to a place and felt like one visit wasn't enough? You just had to go back? That's how we feel about the town of Kinosaki Onsen. This charming little town in Japan's Kansai region offers the perfect getaway. In one trip, you can indulge in delicious crab, admire the snow, stroll in a yukata, and soak in a relaxing onsen. Read our travelogue to discover what captivated us about this enchanting town.

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How to travel to Kinosaki Onsen from Osaka

We traveled to Japan in early March 2017 and used the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass to travel from Osaka to this city. We purchased the pass in advance before traveling to Japan for 9,000 yen (if purchased in Japan, it would be 9,500 yen). We booked through the JR website directly (http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kans...) and picked up the actual pass at Osaka Station. It is valid for 5 days with unlimited travel, which is very worthwhile because the round-trip train fare to Kinosaki Onsen alone is almost the same price as this pass! If you are planning to visit this city from Osaka, I recommend using this pass. It's the best value for money.

Image courtesy of http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kans...


This train runs directly from Shin-Osaka Station to Kinosaki Onsen, taking approximately 3 hours. We boarded the train around 8:00 AM and arrived at 11:00 AM. Note: Check the return schedule carefully, as we returned around 7:00 PM and there were no direct trains to Osaka. We had to transfer several times before reaching our destination.


The non-reserved seat section has two rows of seats, each with two seats, as shown in the picture.

Refuel with a cute lunchbox we bought from the station.

The journey offered stunning views of numerous Japanese villages. The highlight was witnessing snowfall for the first time, an unforgettable experience.


The excitement from the snow did not last long before the train pulled into Kinosaki Onsen Station, the final stop. No need to worry about getting off at the wrong station!

Stroll through the charming atmosphere of Kinosaki Onsen village.

Stepping out of the station, you'll be greeted by the iconic wooden crab statue of Matsue, a popular photo spot for visitors.

A short walk from Kinosaki Onsen Station, you will find a Hot Spring Free Drinking Water stand in front of the village. This serves as a welcome drink for visitors.


Adorned with rows of adorable Japanese-style clogs, the space exudes a charmingly authentic Japanese ambiance.

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Before entering the village, let's stop by the Tourist Information Center to find information about delicious restaurants and places to rent yukata. This will help us navigate efficiently and avoid getting lost, saving us precious time. After all, we only have this evening here.


The translation is:

Walking into the village, you will see houses, shops, and various stores with cute designs and a very Japanese feel. It gives a very different atmosphere from visiting a big city like Osaka or Tokyo.


The road is lined with shops selling fresh seafood, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and guesthouses.




The sky was clear and the sun was blazing hot as I strolled through the village.

The canal that flows through the middle of the village is another landmark of this city.


Kinosaki Beer, a local beer, is also available at mini marts. If you enjoy beer, be sure to give it a try!

For meat lovers, don't miss Kinosaki Beef, a local specialty available only in this town.

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The weather here at the beginning of the month was slightly colder than Osaka, so we stopped by a jazz-style coffee shop called Nova to warm up.


Rent a yukata at IROHA shop.

Given our location in Japan and the authentic Japanese atmosphere, we decided to rent yukata for a photoshoot. After inquiring at the tourist information center, we were recommended to visit the IROHA store, located next to the Goshoyu Bath onsen.


IROHA rental shop (left) Goshoyu bathhouse (right)

The shop offers a wide selection of yukata for men, women, and children, available for both purchase and rental.


The rental price for a yukata is 2,160 yen per day, including hairstyling and dressing.

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If you decide to rent a dress, you will need to fill out a rental form and sign a document acknowledging the rental rules. The main points are that you will need to pay a rental fee and a deposit of 3,000 yen (which will be refunded when you return the dress). You will also need to return the dress before 4 pm on the day you borrowed it.


This is how it turned out! Do I look like a Japanese girl now? ^^?


After putting on the yukata, we were ready to explore! We went for a walk and took photos, starting at the shrine near the rental shop.


"Pumatsuba," a local specialty of Kinosaki Onsen.

One of the most famous delicacies in Kinosaki Onsen is the Matsuba crab, a must-try for any visitor. Available only during the winter months, it is sold both fresh and pre-steamed, ready to be enjoyed on the spot.


Besides crabs, there is an abundance of fresh seafood available here. From oysters and sea urchin to squid, there is something to tempt every palate. Notably, the prices are reasonable. For instance, a box of uni costs only 3,800 yen, which is roughly equivalent to a thousand baht.



Those who love Japanese strawberries can find them here, both regular and white varieties.


Another landmark of this city, which many people may have seen pictures of before, is the Matsuba crab shop, which features a giant crab like this.

Unfortunately, when we visited, the queue was too long, so we were unable to try the food. However, we have included the menu prices for your reference in case you decide to visit.


As we strolled through the city, taking in the sights and snapping photos, our stomachs began to rumble. Knowing that a hungry army marches on its stomach, we set out to find a restaurant. The chosen establishment was conveniently located right in front of our neighborhood, next to the information center.

"Itadakimasu!" (いただきます) - Let's eat! ^^ This is so delicious... I especially love the mixed sashimi rice bowl. It has shrimp, squid, ikura, matsuba crab, eel, and fresh tuna. Everything is so fresh and naturally sweet. 10 out of 10!

The atmosphere in the restaurant is simple, casual, and comfortable. It feels warm and inviting, and don't worry, there's an English menu available! ^^


Snowfall in Kinosaki Onsen in March!

While we were happily taking photos, snow suddenly started falling out of the blue. You could call it unseasonal snowfall, as we had just spoken to the locals who said that the snow had only just stopped falling a while ago. But we were both incredibly excited, as it was the first time we had ever seen snow falling. (We had previously encountered snow that had already fallen and piled up, but it didn't feel as exciting as this.)


After a brief period of excitement in the snow, we began to feel unbearably cold. Seeking refuge, we decided to warm ourselves up. We opted to sit down and enjoy hot tea and warm crème brûlée.


After warming up our bodies, we were ready to brave the snow outside again. As we walked out the back of the shop, we were greeted by the charming atmosphere of the village behind it. There was a small canal, a cute bridge crossing it, red lampposts, and the falling snow. It was truly a magical experience.


A Japanese man driving by stopped his car and took a picture with us. He said he was from this village and was very happy that we liked and visited this town. He wants more people to come here.


As Japanese fans know, each city's water pipes in Japan have their own unique identity. They will showcase the highlights of that city, such as the image above, which represents the city of Kinosaki Onsen.


As you continue walking, you will come across a canal that flows through the center of the village. We once read a review about visiting this village during the winter when snow covered the trees and bridge railings. The stunning winter scenery left us in awe, prompting us to follow in their footsteps and visit this place ourselves.

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The scene in front of the train station during the snowfall is beautifully different.

Not only are we Thais excited about the snow, but young Japanese tourists are also wearing yukatas to brave the cold and take photos all over the city.


On the other side of the village, there is another onsen called Satono Yu Bath, located near the train station. Many Japanese people come here to soak in the hot springs, especially during the cold winter months. Immersing oneself in the onsen at this time is truly a blissful experience. ^^



There is a footbath area in front of the onsen where you can relax and warm your feet.


First onsen experience at Goshonoyu Bath


We chose to soak in the onsen here at Goshonoyu bath, one of the seven onsen in Kinosaki town. The onsen is separated by gender, and if I remember correctly, the price is around 800-900 yen per person. Before entering, you have to leave your belongings, shoes, and bags in a locker inside. They will give you a small towel, about the size of a handkerchief! Haha. There are both indoor and outdoor baths, and the outdoor bath is amazing. You can enjoy the waterfall and the cool air while soaking in the onsen. It was truly wonderful.



In the evening, when it was snowing, there were many more Japanese people enjoying the onsen here than this morning. If you are shy about being around a lot of people, I recommend coming earlier in the morning.


Due to the prohibition of cameras inside the onsen, I am unable to provide photographs of the interior. However, I have captured images of the exterior for your viewing pleasure.


After a refreshing dip in the onsen, we felt rejuvenated. It's no wonder why the Japanese love to visit and soak in these hot springs. The experience was truly relaxing and soothing. However, after the soak, we felt a slight hunger pang. We noticed that many local Japanese people were sitting in groups, enjoying chilled milk coffee or even cold yogurt. Intrigued, we decided to try it ourselves. There was a vending machine where we could choose our desired drink. We opted for both chilled yogurt and milk coffee. The sensation of sipping something cold after a warm onsen soak was simply indescribable.

A cup of coffee milk after a hot spring bath is truly the best. ^^

After soaking in the onsen, the snow still hadn't stopped falling. We decided to capture the atmosphere of this unforgettable experience before heading back to Osaka. It's probably obvious how much we enjoyed ourselves here, judging by the sheer number of photos we took! 5555



We spent time in the city until almost dusk, then took the train back to Osaka. By around 7 pm, most restaurants were already closed, leaving only a few convenience stores still open.


The Kinosaki Onsen train station was deserted around 7 pm. At first, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to catch a train back. However, the direct train to Osaka had already departed. I had to change trains many times, which was quite exciting. At that moment, I was truly grateful for Hyperdia and my own composure. If I had missed even one train, I would have been completely lost. The most comfortable way to return to Osaka is to plan to catch the train around 5 pm. This way, you won't have to change trains anywhere. You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.


On the way back, I will use the Kansai WIDE Area Pass again.


We took the 7:18 PM train from Kinosaki Onsen, which required four transfers and arrived at Shin-Osaka Station at 10:49 PM. If you don't want to risk missing your connection, plan to take the 5 PM train instead. This will allow you to relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about changing trains.

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We really wanted to stay overnight in this town, but we decided to plan a little late, about a month before our trip. Most of the accommodations were almost fully booked, and the ones that were still available were way over our budget. So we ended up doing a day trip like this. We're not satisfied yet. We're going to go back and soak in all 7 hot springs in this town! If you have the chance to go again, don't forget to follow and wait to read our review of this town again. See you again... Kinosaki Onsen


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