Arima Onsen is said to be Japan's oldest hot spring. It is famous for its different types of hot spring water, known as the "Golden Spring" and the "Silver Spring." The hot spring town has a quaint and retro feel to it. While visiting the hot springs, why not try some local specialties like carbonated pancakes and Arima sansho pepper?
Toyotomi Hideyoshi and His Love for Arima Onsen
One notable admirer of Arima Onsen was Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Across from Arima River Park, located in the center of Arima Onsen, stands a statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Nene Hashi, with its beautiful curved red railing, has become a symbol of the city.
The park is a popular spot for water play along the Arima River and is also recommended for a stroll after bathing. It features cherry blossoms in spring, colorful leaves in autumn, and sometimes even stages set up on the riverbed for events, allowing you to enjoy the changing seasons. Since it's just a few steps from Arima Onsen Station, many people stop here for photos.
- Nene Hashi (Bridge) (ねね橋)
- Address: Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City
Taste Arima's Famous Carbonated Pancakes at "Yunohana-doh Honpo"
Arima Onsen is known for its carbonated pancakes, which are thin and crispy in texture and make for popular souvenirs. At Yunohana-doh Honpo, you can taste carbonated pancakes baked meticulously one by one by craftsmen using traditional single-layer baking molds. The limited-time "Nama Tansan Mi-gata" carbonated pancakes have a taste window of just 5 seconds!
These pancakes are hot, soft, and fragrant right out of the oven. As time passes, they quickly become crispy, so be sure to eat them quickly and avoid burning your mouth.
- Yunohana-doh Honpo（湯の花堂本舗 太閤通り店）
- Address: 1645 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 4-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Taste Arima Apple Cider in the Birthplace of Japanese Apple Cider
Arima Onsen, known for its carbonated spring water, is considered the birthplace of Japanese apple cider. "Arima Cider（有馬サイダー）" is a replica of the popular "Arima Champagne Cider（有馬シャンペンサイダー）" from the Taisho era. It has a refreshing sweetness and strong carbonation, making it a perfect choice to enjoy after a bath.
You can find it sold at various accommodations, restaurants, souvenir shops, and it makes for a great souvenir or a drink to have at your hotel.
- Arima Cider (有馬サイダー)
- Available at accommodations, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Arima's Iconic "Arima Sanso Kin no Yu" Hot Spring
Arima Onsen boasts many hot springs, including those at inns and temporary baths, but the most famous is the "Arima Sanso Kin no Yu" (Arima Sanso Golden Hot Spring). The reddish-brown hot water is rich in iron and has a high salt concentration, which is beneficial for the skin. Due to the abundant hot water supply, many people like to take a bath in between walks and enjoy the water directly from the source.
Next to the main building, there's a free "Taiko no Ashiyu" foot bath, a great place to relax and rejuvenate your feet while taking a break from your stroll.
- Arima Sanso Kin no Yu hot spring（有馬本温泉 金の湯）
- Address: 833 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Price: Adults (junior high school age and older) 850 yen, Children (elementary school age) 340 yen, Infants free
- Opening Hours: 8:00～22:00
Explore Your Favorite Shops in Arima Shopping District
Strolling through the hot spring town is also a delight of travel. The Arima Shopping District is particularly recommended for leisurely walks, with many unique shops lining the road that winds up the hill.
In the historically rich Arima Onsen and the quaint shopping district, you'll find long-established stores dating back to the Muromachi era. Especially on the popular Yamamotozaka, there are many restaurants where you can eat while walking, so if you want to taste local cuisine, be sure to pay a visit.
- Arima Shopping District
- Address: Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City
Japan's No. 1: "arima gelateria Stagione" for Ice Cream
This is Japan's top handcrafted ice cream specialty shop. It showcases around 10 seasonal gelato flavors year-round, made with carefully selected ingredients, including milk from Rokko. The visually appealing gelato, made from high-quality ingredients, is sure to tempt you just by looking at the display case.
The shop became immensely popular with long lines as soon as it opened. Flavors change with the seasons, so every visit to Arima Onsen offers a new gelato experience. The shop also provides seating, making it a great place to relax during your walk.
- Address: 1163 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About an 8-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Open on holidays); irregular closures
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Enjoy Delicious Kamameshi Lunch at "Ari Kamameshi Kutsurogiya"
Descending the steps along the Arima Onsen Zen Temple, you'll find "Ari Kamameshi Kutsurogiya," a restaurant specializing in kamameshi, which is made with fish, shellfish, and mountain vegetables harvested from the nearby Awaji Island and Seto Inland Sea.
The delectable flavors of red snapper and octopus infuse the freshly cooked kamameshi, combined with the rich broth, making each variety a masterpiece! The restaurant is housed in a renovated old-style building and provides a charming atmosphere where you can leisurely savor your meal in private rooms.
The menu primarily features set meals that come with kamameshi. These sets include a variety of side dishes, onsen tamago (hot spring egg), dessert, and even premium steamed Kobe beef for those seeking a more luxurious meal. You can also choose from various types of kamameshi.
Even on weekdays, the lunchtime queue can be quite long, and the restaurant closes once ingredients run out, so be sure to allocate enough time for your visit.
- Ari Kamameshi Kutsurogiya（くつろぎ家）
- Address: 839-2 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Last Order 2:00 PM), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Last Order 7:00 PM)
Experience the History of Arima Onsen at "Onsen Zen Temple"
"Onsen Zen Temple" was built by the monk Gyoki during the Nara period, making it the oldest temple to visit in Arima Onsen. The main hall houses many temple treasures, including the important cultural property, General Heida, statue. As the representative temple of Arima Onsen, it attracts numerous visitors every day.
The temple is located at the end of the shopping street and is accessible via a slope and stairs. Starting your visit with Onsen Zen Temple and slowly walking down the hill while enjoying the cuisine is a great idea.
- Onsen Zen Temple
- Address: 1643 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
Select Fragrant Sansho Pepper as Souvenirs at "Sansho Ayameya"
While ascending the slope of Yamamotozaka, there's a specialty store for sansho pepper, operated by the long-established salty delicacies shop "Kawakami Shoten," which was founded in the late Muromachi period. As soon as you enter the store, you'll be greeted by the refreshing aroma of stone-ground sansho pepper.
Arima sansho pepper is quite popular, and the recommended souvenirs are the salad dressing and chili sauce made with Arima sansho pepper. The refreshing aroma spreads in your mouth, and it's appreciated as a key ingredient across various age groups.
- Sansho Ayameya（山椒彩家）
- Address: 1172 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 9-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- Closed: Wednesdays
Visit the Birthplace of Apple Cider?! Tansan Sengen Park
Deep within the hot spring street, ahead of the uphill, you'll find the Tansan Sengen Park, which is the source of the "Silver Spring." Ice-cold carbonated water continuously bubbles up here, and you can even drink it at the drinking area.
It is said that in the past, sugar was added to this spring to make soda. The taste of the "Silver Spring" that you can enjoy at the drinking area might have a somewhat unusual flavor!? If you want to experience the original Japanese soda, be sure to give it a try.
- Tansan Sengen Park (炭酸泉源公園)
- Address: Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About an 8-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
Relax with Coffee at "Sora Cafe," Known for Its Quality Ingredients and Flavors
This coffee shop takes pride in its handcrafted egg tarts and bread made with plenty of seasonal fruits. The dining space on the second floor has an open atmosphere, allowing you to relax at your leisure. The rich, original blend of coffee is also available for takeout, making it a great choice during your walk or when you want to unwind at your hotel.
Apart from that, the breakfast and lunch menus are not only delicious but also beautifully presented. You can even pre-order a birthday cake for a special celebration with loved ones in your accommodation or hotel.
- Sora Cafe
- Address: 199-10 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Thursdays
Enjoy Magnificent Views of Mount Rokko from the Rokko Arima Ropeway
The ropeway connecting Arima Onsen and the summit of Mount Rokko takes approximately 12 minutes. From the large glass windows of the cable car, you can get up close to the splendid seasonal natural landscapes of Mount Rokko. On clear days, you can even catch a glimpse of Awaji Island beyond the valleys.
On one side of the valley, you can see the entire city of Kobe. The mountain attracts many visitors in every season, as it offers breathtaking views of spring's fresh greenery, autumn's vibrant foliage, and winter's snowy landscapes.
- Rokko Arima Ropeway (六甲有馬ロープウェー)
- Address: 4512-336 Rokkosan-cho Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 15-minute walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
- Operating Hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM - 5:10 PM (Rokko Sanjo Station side), Saturdays until 8:30 PM, Sundays and holidays until 5:10 PM
Experience Music Boxes and Heavenly Sounds at "Rokko Forest Sound Museum"
The Rokko Forest Sound Museum (ROKKO森の音ミュージアム) is a healing place filled with greenery, centered around the concept of sound and nature. In July 2021, the former "Rokko Music Box Museum" was renovated, and it now features music boxes and a café terrace seat in the midst of the woods, allowing you to appreciate the sounds of the garden and the changing seasons. The natural garden "SIKI Garden～Sound Promenade～" offers the popular "SIKI Dome," a private space within a dome where you can spend time (lunch boxes are available for a fee).
The "Forest Sound Hall" displays antique music boxes and other automatic musical instruments that were popular in the predecessor of Rokko Music Box Museum. They also hold regular "Concerts without Performers," a unique experience not found elsewhere.
In the music box-making studio, anyone can easily enjoy the "Music Box Assembly Experience." Choose your favorite tune from over 40 preserved songs, adjust the tone and rhythm to your liking, and you'll have your own music box. You can also add your favorite accessories to decorate it.
- Rokko Forest Sound Museum (ROKKO森の音ミュージアム)
- Address: 4512-145 Rokkosan-cho Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: About a 1-minute walk from the "Museum-mae" bus stop at the Rokko Arima Ropeway Rokko Sanjo Station (cable car summit station)
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Thursdays, December 31st, January 1st
Admire Spectacular Scenery from the Rokko Garden Terrace
The "Rokko Garden Terrace (六甲ガーデンテラス)" is becoming increasingly popular as one of Japan's top viewing spots. From the tree-like "Natural Sensation Observatory Rokko Shidare" (admission required) at the summit of Mount Rokko, you can see the Akashi Strait, Osaka Plain, and a dazzling night view with millions of lights.
The views change with the seasons and times, including evening, nighttime, autumn foliage, and snowy scenes, leaving a lasting impression!
Inside the all-cedar dome, you'll be greeted by the gentle scent of cedarwood. The sunlight filtering through the leaf-like frames is also beautiful and a popular spot for photos. During limited periods, you can enjoy a more dreamy atmosphere with evening lighting.
- Rokko Garden Terrace (六甲ガーデンテラス)
- Address: 1877-9 Gozansan Rokkosan-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Access: Take the Rokko Arima Ropeway to the "Rokko Garden Terrace" bus stop
- Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last admission 8:30 PM)
