Hot Springs, Sento, and Onsen in Kobe and Arima

As part of our resources for visitors to Kobe, here is the list of onsen in Kobe, Japan.

Below we’ll provide a list of onsen and super-sento in Kobe, including extra detail about onsen and hot springs in the Arima area of Kobe. We also provide a list of other onsen in Kobe, including a tattoo friendly onsen in Kobe. At the end of this article, we’ll provide notes and guidelines for using onsen in Kobe.

– What is the difference between Onsen, Sento and Super-sento?
– Hot Springs and Onsen in the Arima Area of Kobe City
– Other Kobe Onsen, Sento, and Hot Springs
– Tattoo-friendly Onsen in Kobe
– Rules and Suggestions for Using Kobe Onsen

What is the difference between Onsen, Sento and Super-sento?

An onsen is a hot spring in Japan, and there are two types. The first is a natural onsen (tennen onsen), which usually has a temperature of at least 25°C and contains nineteen mineral elements. The second is a man-made onsen (jinkō onsen), which is artificially created to meet the standards of a natural onsen. A sento, on the other hand, is a public bath that typically uses heated tap water instead of mineral water. Sento fees are regulated to make sure consistent pricing within each area, making them affordable and accessible for local residents.

In addition, there is another type of sento called “super sento.” Super sento are classified differently from sento because they usually offer additional services such as restaurants, beauty treatments, and gaming areas. For this reason, their admission fees are not regulated, and each facility sets its own prices. Some super sento even call themselves onsen, as they use hot spring water transported from actual onsen sources, containing the proper minerals and temperature to meet the standards of an onsen.

Kobe has many onsen/super sento facilities that we will provide the list in below

Hot Springs and Onsen in the Arima Area of Kobe City

Many visitors to Kobe want to try the famous hot-baths that are part of Japanese culture. Kobe is one of the most important destinations for hot springs and onsen in Japan. The area of Kobe that is famous for onsen is Arima.

What is the Arima Onsen Area of Kobe?

Arima is an area of Kobe, Japan, that is famous of onsen. The Arima area is one of Japan’s three oldest locations for hot springs, dating back to a time before humans had developed the technology to dig into the earth to find onsen. The Japanese call this area “Arima Onsen.” Within Arima Onsen are several different public hot springs, as well as some hotels that offer the onsen experience.

Visitors can enjoy two distinct types of baths: the brown-colored “Kinsen” (Gold Spring) water, and the clear, colorless “Ginsen” (Silver Spring) water. Kinsen is rich in iron that is said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, while “Ginsen” includes radium and carbonate and is known for various muscle and joint ailments.

Kinnoyu Onsen

Kinnoyu is a public onsen facility where you can enjoy Kinsen “gold” water. There is also a foot bath that can be used for free. Some locals visit daily, as it is said to be beneficial for leg and overall body health.
– Type of Water: Sodium-chloride, strong saline, hyperthermic
– Address: 833 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Admission Fee: 800 JPY (Adults), 350 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://arimaspa-kingin.jp/kin-01.htm

Ginnoyu Onsen

Ginnoyu is a public onsen facility where you can enjoy Ginsen, the “clear” water. The facility also features a sauna, and visitors can try “Arima Soda,” a soda famouse in Arima.
– Type of Water: Carbonated spring, radium spring
– Address: 1039-1 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Admission Fee: 700 JPY (Adults), 300 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://arimaspa-kingin.jp/gin-01.htm

Local Hotels in Arima with Onsen

In addition to day-use public onsen in Arima, there are also hotels where guest can stay, and use public or private onsen within the hotel itself.

Chorak Hotel

The hotel offers both Kinsen and Ginsen in its public baths, as well as private open-air baths exclusively for guests.
– Address: 1654-1 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Website: https://choraku.com/spa/index.php

Hanano Hotel

While guests can enjoy views of Arima from the windows of the public baths, the indoor bath is filled with Kinsen. The open-air bath features the radon-rich Ginsen. Guests may also enjoy the hot springs of Hanano on a day-trip basis with reservations.
– Address: 400-1 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Website: https://www.arima-hanano.com/

Nakanobo Zuien Hotel

There is a private room with an open-air bath featuring both Kinsen and Ginsen. In addition, guests staying at the hotel can enjoy private open-air Ginsen baths free of charge.
– Address: 808 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Website: https://www.zuien.jp/

Taketoritei Maruyama Hotel

There are eight private onsens with Kinsen and Ginsen, available free of charge for hotel guests.
– Address: 1364-1 Arimacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
– Website: https://www.taketoritei.com/

Other Kobe Onsen, Sento, and Hot Springs

There are other onsen and hot springs in Kobe that are located outside of the Arima area. Below are some other options for onsen and sento in Kobe.

Aguro-no-yu Onsen

Aguro-no-Yu Onsen offers 11 types of baths along with 2 types of saunas. At night, guests can relax while gazing at the starry sky.
– Type of water: Natural and carbonated
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 1-6 Minami Komaemachi, Nagata Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 653-0044
– Admission Fee: 1,000 JPY (Adults), 450 JPY(Children)
– Website: https://aguro-no-yu.com/

Humor Resort Taisanji Nadeshiko-no-yu Hot Spring

This natural radium hot spring is said to be effective for relieving fatigue, neuralgia, and sensitivity to cold. Unlike ordinary hot springs, radium hot springs are classified as “gaseous” hot springs, distinguished by the proposed health benefits gained by inhaling their steam.
– Type of water: Simple, weakly radioactive cold mineral spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 270-1 Maebiraki, Ikawadani-cho, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2108
– Admission Fee: 850 JPY (Adults), 320 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://www.nadeshikonoyu.com/

Kobe Harborland Onsen Manyo Club

In addition to the large public onsen, the facility offers a stone sauna, dining options, various wellness services, and even a rooftop footbath with scenic views, as well as a movie theater.
– Type of water: Alkaline simple spring & carbonated spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: Promena Kobe, 1-8-1 Higashikawasakicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0044
– Admission Fee: Adults: 2,730 JPY, Children: 1,270 JPY, Infant: 990 JPY
– Website: https://www.manyo.co.jp/kobe/

Kobe Minato Onsen Ren

“Kobe Minato Onsen” is rich in sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium chloride (salt), offering the combined benefits of both. The sodium bicarbonate hot spring is expected to have skin-beautifying effects by removing old keratin. Meanwhile, the sodium chloride hot spring helps the body stay warm longer after bathing.
– Type of water: Sodium bicarbonate & chloride hot spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 1-1 Shinkocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0041
– Admission Fee: 2,640 JPY (weekdays), 3,080 JPY (weekend)
– Website: https://ren-onsen.jp/?utm_source=mybusiness

Minatoyama Hot Spring

It is said that Taira no Kiyomori (a famous Japanese samurai) once bathed here for therapeutic purposes. The slightly brown-colored water offers a refreshing feel on the skin. Guests can fully enjoy the hot springs in five different baths, each supplied with 100% free-flowing natural spring water. The hot spring has been continuously flowing for over 800 years.
– Type of water: Carbon dioxide gas
– Sauna Availability: No
– Address: 26-1 Minatoyama-cho, Hyogo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 652-0012
– Admission Fee: 800 JPY (Adults), 230 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://minatoyama-onsen.com/

Rokko Otomezuka Hot Spring

At Otomezuka Onsen, the natural spring flows abundantly at 480 liters per minute. The carbonated spring, known as a “beauty bath” with the same mineral composition as other famous hot springs, is said to promote smooth, radiant skin, improve circulation, and help relieve fatigue.
– Type of Water: Bicarbonate spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 3-4-14 Tokui-cho, Nada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 657-0033
– Admission Fee: 470 JPY (Adults), 180 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://otomeduka.com/

Suzuran-no-yu

Suzuran-no-yu is located between Arima and the center of Kobe. It features the largest open-air onsen in Kobe, where visitors can relax while enjoying the night sky and seasonal views surrounded by plants. There are a variety of facilities, including beauty salons, restaurants, dessert shops, and souvenir stores.
– Type of Water: Weak alkaline simple hot spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 11-1 Myōga, Oaza Obu, Yamadacho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1101
– Admission Fee: Adults: 1,000 JPY, Children: 600 JPY (weekday), Adults 1,200 JPY, Children: 800 JPY (weekend)
– Website: https://suzurannoyu.jp/

Taihei-no-yu

SPA Sentaihei-no-Yu offers guests a view of the famous Akashi Kaikyō Bridge. At night, the bridge is beautifully illuminated against the starry sky. The facility provides not only hot springs, but also dining options and relaxation spaces.
– Type of Water: High concentration artificial carbonic acid
– Sauna Availability: No
– Address: 2166-2 Kaigandori, Tarumi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 655-0036
– Admission Fee: Weekdays: 850 JPY (Adults), 250 JPY (Children) Weekends: 1,000 JPY (Adults)
– Website: https://www.sentou.co.jp/

Tsuki-no-yufune

Tsuki-no-Yubune offers both natural hot springs and natural seawater hot springs, with the seawater drawn from the Setonaikai (Japan’s largest inland sea). The facility also features restaurants and a spa.
– Type of Water: Sodium bicarbonate and chloride cold mineral spring
– Sauna Availability: Yes
– Address: 7-4-46 Aoyamadai, Tarumi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 655-0873
– Admission Fee: 1,000JPY (Adults), 450 JPY (Children)
– Website: https://www.tsuki-no-yufune.com/

Tattoo-friendly Onsen in Kobe

In almost all onsen in Kobe, tattoos are not allowed (you will not be allowed to use the onsen if you have any tattoos). However, visitors with tattoos may be allowed to use some onsen.

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To be certain you can use the facility, please contact them directly to confirm.

Rules for Onsen/Sento in Kobe, Japan

There are certain customs, expectations, and rules you should follow at Kobe onsen. At most onsen in Japan you should expect:
— Full nudity (you can’t wear any clothing in the water)
— No tattoos allowed
— Shower first before taking a bath
— Leave the towel off to the side of the bath (don’t bring your wash cloth into the water)

The Best Hot Springs and Onsen in Kobe, Japan

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