Onsen in Kyoto
 

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip to Kyoto in mid-April, and would like to do onsen every day during my stay.

Could you please comment on my 4-day itinerary and suggest an onsen near visiting areas, if possible?

My lodging is in the Kyoto Station area.

First day
- (northwest area) Kinkakuji, Ryoanji
- (kyoto station area) Nishi-honganji, Higashi-honganji, Sanjusangendo

Second day
- (northeast area) Ginkakuji, Honenin, Philosopher's Walk, Nanzenji, Gion

Third
- Arashiyama
- (central area) Nijo castle
- (southeast) Fushimi Inari temple

Fourth
- Kurama Onsen
- Nishiki Market, Shijo-dori, Pontocho
An onsen evening near Nishiki area would be nice as well.

Thank you!

My understanding is that most of the hotsprings are near mountains/volcanic areas. I know there is Arima Onsen near Kobe, but am not aware of onsen near Kyoto area.

Do you really mean onsen as mineral hot springs or just big spa-type public bath? You might have better luck with the latter.

Hi W9London,

Mineral hot springs like you said. I've found several in Tokyo (such as near Asakusa temple) so I thought I may not need to go far.

Anyway the spa-type mineral bath is a good option, in case there isnt any.

Only onsen in Kyoto area is around Arashiyama, up in the mountain far from Kyoto tourist area. I am afraid any baths in Kyoto are just heated city water. Some hotels/ryokans may have a large communal, not private, baths. One unusual place I recommend is to stay at a temple, http://www.japantravelinfo.com/plan/...n%20Kyoto_.pdf

Hi amazinga,

Thanks for your input. Onsen in Arashiyama sounds nice. Can you give me more info?

About the temple list, which one do you recommend? Spending a night there should be good. I can put it in my plan.

Hi, mico -

Is Honganji open again? I thought it was closed for renovations. . . .

There are onsen in Ohara, about an hour outside Kyoto, up in the mountains. Two royokan with onsen there are Seryo and OharanoSato. It's a lovely area. I am not sure if you can use the baths without staying in the onsen (as you can at Kurama).

See:
http://tinyurl.com/yvcb4g

Both of those onsen are listed at www.japaneseguesthouses.com

I did a day trip from Kyoto to Oharanosato a couple years ago. They let you have a soak if you also have a meal at their small restaurant across the street, all for Y1500. The hot soba I had was great and the onsen is beautiful up along a hillside. There is a big round pot to soak in. Naked in nature is the best. Ummm, well for some people that is.

fodors also has a listing for another onsen in Kyoto- see:

http://tinyurl.com/22wmyg

We stayed at Daishin-in. It is located in the large Myoshin-ji property which is located ~5 min. walk from Hanazono JR station, four stops north-west of Kyoto station on San-in line. It is on the Shoku-bo list. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6117786
You can take a bus there also.
It is a Zen temple and you can meditate at 5am if you wish. The garden is like the famous Ryoan-ji. They offer shojin-ryori (real vegetarian, delicious, 5,000yen & up , common price anywhere).
From there, we walked to Ryoan-ji and to Kinkaku-ji. One other recommendation is to take the free English guided Gosho(old Imperial Palace) tour by either making a reservation by internet or go to the office there in a morning to make the afternoon tour reservation on weekdays (take your passport).
Make sure to buy the day bus pass(500yen) to go around Kyoto. You can buy them at Kyoto station bus stop or at many stores on the street. Just ask.
For onsens, others gave the info. as I go to Yufuin in Kyushu, Hakone and other places for onsen.

A few additional notes:
1.Most temples(ending with -ji) cost 5-600 yen to enter where as shinto shrines(-jinja or jingu) do not.
2. You may want to add Heian-jingu & Yasaka-jinja to your visit list.
3. If anybody needs budget oriented hotels, try http://www.superhotel.co.jp/en/find.html
in Kyoto and throughout Japan.
Or let me know.
4. Kyoto Handicraft center has demonstrations & many gift items. The top floor has buffet style restaurant that offer Japanese, Chinese & western foods.