Arima Onsen is an hot-spring town that is an easy train ride from Kobe, Hyogo region.
It is one of the three ancient hot spring town in Japan, which description appeared on Japan chronicles "Nihon Shoki" that was started book 1,000+ years ago. It was said that the first mention of this onsen is bathing by a Japanese emperor in 7th century AD (or 1,300 years ago!).
Nowadays, it is wellknown for two specialty onsen in particular "Gin-no-yu" or silver hot spring and "Kinno-yu" or the golden hot spring.
Kin-no-yu access cost 650yen per adult, while Gin-no-yu costs 550yen. You can also purchase a package that includes access for both bath and a small museum Taiko-no-yu for 1,000 yen. The museum hosts a small exhibition as well is the original site of bathing house built by Hidetoshi Toyotomi when he and his wife visited Arima Onsen.
There is also a free foot bath spa outside Kin-no-yu by the side of the building outside entrance.
