Onsens in Kansai

There is so much on offer in the cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara that it is easy to forget there are world-class onsens in Kansai.

This area of Japan offers a truly varied hot spring experience. However, don’t expect a 5-minute walk to the onsen after a long day of sightseeing in downtown Kyoto. To find the real magic, you need to venture a little further out.

As The Onsen Expert, I always say there is more to a region’s bathing culture than just the famous towns. Actually, I used to live in the countryside of Kyoto prefecture. Some of my best onsen experiences to date were at beautiful local baths nestled in the mountains or surrounded by rice fields.

That being said, Kansai’s “Golden Trio” of famous onsen towns does not disappoint:
Kinosaki Onsen: Famous for its multi-bath, tattoo-friendly pass where you can walk the streets in a traditional yukata.
Arima Onsen: One of Japan’s oldest retreats, celebrated for its iron-rich “Golden Waters” (Kinsen).
Shirahama Onsen: A stunning coastal resort offering open-air baths with wonderful views of the sea.

No matter your needs, you can absolutely tick the onsen box in Kansai!