One of the best parts of Kinosaki Onsen is the atmosphere of the town itself. Wearing a yukata (浴衣) and strolling down the willow tree-lined Otani River with its stone bridges and dimly lit stone lanterns can be an enchanting experience like nowhere else. Walking further away from the station, you will also fine an old-school retro shopping street with souvenir shops, retro arcade games, and retro carnival games as well.
We recommend starting off from Kinosaki Onsen Station, walking up Eki-dōri (駅通り, lit. Station Street) until you reach the Otani River, where you’ll turn left and follow the river until the large stone bridge by Ichi-no-Yu (一の湯). There you’ll continue rightwards onto Yu-no-Sato-Dōri (湯の里通り) and you can continue on until Gosho-no-Yu (御所の湯) when the shops start to thin out. If you’re early and want to get a view, you can also head on to Onsen-ji Temple (温泉寺).
