Japan 2015 - Day 4 Seta to North for Kinosakionsen - An Experience of Traditional Japanese Onsen Town

We got to get out off Seta Urban Hotel and leave for Kinosakionsen somewhere in the northern part of Kyoto very close to the sea and approximately 170km from Kyoto.

From Seta to Kyoto Station for an express train to Fukuchiyama then a local train to Kinosaki Onsen.

The fare from Seta to Kinosaki Onsen is 3,020 yen.

Here we were at the station of Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen (hot spring) is located in northern Hyogo prefecture and is famous for seafood especially crab which is best during the winter months of November through March though it is available year round.  

There are 6 famous public hot spring bath houses which runs along the picturesque Otanigawa River for you to enjoy.

Kinosaki is a safe and friendly town perfect for families, couples, groups of friends or solo travelers.

The streets were full of flowering cherry blossom trees and the budding willow trees along Otani Street.  

There are many food outlets in the town, we cycled around it and found this that attracted our attention. Everything was traditional about this shop or most probably most of the shops.

We had glutinous rice and noodle with tempura.

Travelers can be seen strolling along the river in yukatas (cotton kimono) and geta (wooden sandals) enjoying cherry trees and weeping willows as well of the traditional feel of the town. 

The onsen we booked is slightly located at the fringe of the town and slowly we rolled towards it for a night stay.

Kinosaki Tenboen is annexed to a hillside where the building is on a uphill access.

Jo had a feel with a kimono for the stay and could be wore to the town for the public onsen if she likes. Note that the basket is for carrying your personal belongings when you go down town to the onsen.

Our night sight during spring in Kinosaki with the flowering of the cherry blossoms trees and the budding of the willow trees that line Otani Street. 

I guess the people in Kinosaki sleep very early and make sure you take your dinner before 7.30pm or you might miss your meal for the evening. This was Jo's dinner after we found one of the few still operating at so called "closing time". 

Kinosaki is popular with its crab and I was trying the taste of crab meat with rice. Ooshi desu ...

A traditional room with tatami flooring and futon mattress laid out for a good night sleep. Oyasuminasai