alan64

On our last trip to Japan, we stayed in Matsuyama and really enjoyed going to the Dogo Onsen. We also stayed in a ryokan in Hakone, which was great.

This trip we're trying to keep our expenses down, so staying in another nice ryokan isn't in the cards. I'm wondering if there is another nice/historic public onsen similar to Dogo but in the region(s) that we'll be in: Osaka, Kyoto, Koya-san, and probably Takayama. Any thoughts?

alan64

I may have found an answer to my own question after reading about Kurama. It looks like a day trip from Kyoto is very do-able, and day use at the onsen is very reasonable vs. staying at their ryokan.

If there are other similar day-use hot spring onsens we can consider in other areas, please let me know.

hawaiiantraveler

Kinosaki Onsen might be the answer for you. I will be there in a few weeks.....can't wait!

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/english/english.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3525.html

Aloha!

mrwunrfl

There is an onsen bath in the Green Hotel in Takayama. It is a typical tourist hotel. I think that it has the only hot springs bath in Takayama and was worth the visit.

I also went for a soak in Hirayu Onsen (I think it was Hirayu), east of Takayama in the mountains at the bus stop. Nothing special. East of there, in Kamikochi, I stopped at another place for a soak, again nothing special (it was one of the hotel/restaurant places on the walking circuit in Kamikochi.

Now, I do remember Elainee (or just Elaine) loving going to an onsen east of Takayama and it may have been Hirayu. Might be able to find her post on it.

The hot springs resort in Kansai area is Arima Onsen, not far from Kobe. Haven't been there yet.

Nothing really compares to Dogo, though, imho. It is historic and legendary and Japanese tourists pose in front of the main building for photos even if they don't go in.

Almost forgot: Gero is an onsen town on the Takayama Line just south of Takayama.

alan64

Thanks for the feedback. An onsen-walk in Kinosaki looks especially appealing! It's a bit far for a day trip from Kyoto, so I'll see if I can find a place to stay that's under $200 a night (we're staying in all-age hostels in other areas that are closer to $100-$125). It's the $175+ per person places that are currently out of our budget.

alan64

We've decided to definitely go to Kinosaki and are looking forward to a ryokan stay and visiting the various public onsen. We're trying to decide between three or four nights there, so I'm wondering what else there is to do in the area besides visiting hot springs? I know there's a cable car to the hills, and I've also read about boat rides nearby. Anything else? If not, perhaps three nights (with two full afternoons there) would be enough, but there are so many different onsen to visit that four nights is tempting. Thoughts?

hawaiiantraveler

Of course there is Amanohashidate close by
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3990.html

If it were me spending 4 days in Kinosaki, and I know it is not, I would rent a car for one or two of those days and drive the coast down towards the sand dunes of Tottori and Matsue http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5800.html to explore the sights along the west coast and the Sea of Japan.

I know car rentals will add more to your budget but opens up so much more for you that imho is worth it especially outside of the big population areas. For a discounted rental, see here:
http://www2.tocoo.jp/?file=rentcar_i...in&asp_id=0001

Aloha!