Discover Kinosaki: Onsen, Ryokan and More!

Day 4

December 31, 2012

Kinosaki, Japan

When visiting Japan, a side trip to Kinosaki-Onsen is a must! I anticipated that we will be needing a break from our 8-day vacation so I scheduled our visit on our 4th day.

Kinosaki-Onsen* is the biggest hot spring resort in Hyogo. It is a 3-hour train ride to total bliss. We boarded the 9:04 am Limited Express Kounotori train from Shin-Osaka to Kinosaki-Onsen. We arrived as scheduled (11:51am). Unfortunately, we were not allowed to check-in at Shinonomesou until 2 in the afternoon.

Jizou Yu Onsen is one of the seven sotoyu

Kinosaki-Onsen is a place which has seven sotoyu*, a hot spring water drinking spot and a foot bath facility. If you check-in with one of the ryokan*, a tour of the seven sotoyu is already included with your board and lodging fee. Wearing the traditional yukata* and geta*, you can go around this quaint town to enjoy the indoor and outdoor public baths. 

*Onsen means hot spring
*Sotoyu is a public hot spring bath facilities
*Ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn
*Yukata is a casual cotton kimono
*Geta is a traditional wooden Japanese footwear like clogs

Read more after the break....

Discover Kyoto: Kyoto Tower & Ryoanji Temple

Day 2

Morning

December 29, 2012

Kyoto (DIY Tour)

For our Japan trip, I was in charge of the itinerary. A few days before we left, I was cramming as usual. It was a good thing I found a very helpful Japanese website written in English and finished the itinerary in no time.

 Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower is included in our itinerary. Sadly, when we decided to enter the observation deck that night, it was closed due to the renovation of its elevators until April 2013.

It is the first thing you see when you get out of Kyoto Station. For visitor's who wish to save on Kyoto Tower's viewing deck admission, you can print out an online coupon here. Instead of paying JPY770 (PhP385), you pay only JPY 700 (PHP 350) with the coupon.

Hours of Operation:

9:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:40)

Places we visited right after the break...