Overview
Arima Onsen is a hot-spring resort in Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, counted among Japan's three oldest springs. It was praised in the Heian-period classic The Pillow Book as one of the country's three famous springs and was ranked at the top during the Edo period. The resort sits near Mount Rokko.
Highlights
- ●One of Japan's three oldest hot springs
- ●Named in the classic The Pillow Book
- ●Ranked the top spring in the Edo period
- ●A mountain resort below Mount Rokko
History
Long renowned, Arima was listed as one of Japan's three famous springs in the Heian-period The Pillow Book. In the Muromachi period the monk Banri Shukyu grouped it with Kusatsu and Gero as the three famous springs, and in the Edo period the scholar Hayashi Razan likewise called them the three finest springs under heaven. Edo-era spring rankings placed Arima at the top tier.
Access
The resort is in Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, within easy reach of Kansai cities such as Osaka and Kobe. Please check maps and official sources for detailed routes.
Best season
The spa town can be enjoyed year-round. Fresh greenery and autumn colors on Mount Rokko add to the scenery, while a soak in the colder months has its own charm.
Map
34.7981, 135.2475 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Arrive in the spa town and begin exploring
- 2Stroll the atmospheric lanes and see the sights
- 3Enjoy the waters at a day-use bath
- 4Stop by the souvenir shops to finish
Did you know?
💡 Beyond The Pillow Book, the Edo-period scholar Hayashi Razan also ranked Arima alongside Kusatsu and Gero as the three finest hot springs under heaven.
Nearby spots
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