Kinosaki Onsen Check-In Tour (2.5h)

【OUTLINE】

Experience the essence and stories of Kinosaki Onsen, which boasts a 1300-year history, traditional culture, and a way of life in harmony with nature, including the oriental stork. This guided tour allows you to familiarize yourself with the town's history before check-in. Learn the unique "Ancient Bathing Etiquette" that was once required for bathing in Kinosaki Onsen and receive a "Yushaku" (hot spring ladle), creating an unparalleled check-in experience.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Learn the "Etiquette for Bathing in Kinosaki Onsen" directly from the chief priest of Onsenji Temple.
  
• Get an overview of Kinosaki Onsen's history, the famous Public (hot spring) bathhouse, and recommended shops before check-in.
• Travel and explore using eco-friendly electric vehicles with a local guide accompanying you throughout the tour.

【SCHEDULE】

Choose from two start times, 10:30 or 12:30. 

[10:30/12:30] Entrance of Ryokan Town: Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Center
Meet at the tourist center right next to the station, where you can store your luggage. The tour starts with a ride in the back seat of an electric TUKTUK.
*If you wish to drive the TUKTUK or a motorcycle yourself, driving practice will be provided.

[10:50/12:50] Corridor in Ryokan Town/Store: Kinosaki Onsen Town
Travel by electric TUKTUK.
To make the most of your town walk and public bath tour, take a preview stroll with the electric TUKTUK. Learn about the features, history, and spirit of "coexistence and co-prosperity" of each of the six public baths: Jizouyu, Yanagiyu, Ichinoyu, Goshonoyu, Mandarayu, and Kounoyu. Discover the town's highlights and recommended shops tailored to your needs.

[12:10/14:10] Onsenji Temple
Travel by electric TUKTUK → Ropeway.
Arrive at Onsenji Temple, founded 1300 years ago by the monk Dochi Shonin who opened Kinosaki Onsen. Receive direct instruction from the chief priest in the "Ancient Bathing Etiquette" and "Yushaku", which in earlier times were not allowed to enter Kinosaki Onsen without learning this etiquette.

[12:55/14:55] Guest Room: Accommodation
Travel by electric TUKTUK.
Arrive at your accommodation at check-in time, with your luggage already transported to your room. After completing the true check-in with the "Ancient Bathing Etiquette," rent a "Yushaku" from the inn and embark on a tour of the public baths.

*Experience is available upon request.
Yakushi Park / Yakushido
Travel by Ropeway → On Foot.
*The tour ends when you are dropped off at your accommodation, so we will introduce you to the areas you can visit on your own after check-in. If you would like to enjoy Onsen Eggs and Gelato in the 2.5h plan, you can end the tour at Yakushi Park after descending from Onsenji Temple and head for the ryokan while enjoying the town walk on your own.

Descend to the town again by ropeway. Enjoy a foot bath using the original hot spring source of Kinosaki Onsen at Yakushi Park, and try "making Jiggly Onsen Eggs (soft-boiled egg)" and "Kinosaki Gelato" using local, natural ingredients. Visit the historic Yakushido, a nationally registered tangible cultural property built in the Edo period (1804-1818). The temple has a long history as the guardian temple of Kinosaki Onsen, and is revered as the Yakushi-san (medicine man) who protects Kinosaki Onsen and its bathing guests. Reflect on the ancient bathing etiquette received at Onsenji Temple and appreciate the history and gratitude towards the hot spring.

[13:00/15:00] End

【DETAILS】

In 717, the monk Dochi Shonin visited Kinosaki and prayed at the Chinju Shisho Myojin Shrine for 1000 days, chanting the Eight Mandala Sutra to relieve the suffering of the sick, leading to the emergence of the sacred spring that became Kinosaki Onsen. The symbiotic history of the temple and the hot spring, the combined faith for healing and hot spring therapy, and the spirit of "coexistence and co-prosperity" make Kinosaki Onsen a unique spa town. The town is thought of as a single ryokan, with the station as the entrance, the road as the corridor, the inn as the guest room, and the outside hot spring as the bathhouse, and in the spirit of “coexistence and co-prosperity,” the hot water that springs there has been carefully protected and appreciated for 1300 years. The "Ancient Bathing Etiquette" was born from the belief that the sacred hot spring should be touched with a ladle, not hands, and that prayers should be chanted while bathing.

Explore the legend that the oriental stork discovered the hot spring while healing its wounds, the 1300-year history shared with gratitude for the hot spring, the stork-friendly farming methods, and the story of "the whole town as one inn." Engage with local residents and priests in this new hot spring experience connected by electric mobility and local guides.

★About the Vehicle:
This plan primarily involves riding in the back seat of a TUKTUK. If only one person can fit due to body size, the following options are available:

⑴Switch to a scooter or electric bike that does not require a license.
⑵If the guest has a Valid International Driving license, they can drive the TUKTUK, with another person riding in the back seat.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：2.5 hours
• Meeting point：Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Center in front of JR Kinosaki Onsen Station [MAP]
  78, Yushima, Kinosakicho, Toyooka, Hyogo,669-6101
  
• Access： Located across the road from the JR Kinosaki Onsen Station exit.
• Language support：Japanese, English
  
• Included：
  ・English-speaking local guide
  ・Luggage transportation (Limit 1 per person)
  ・Round-trip ropeway (including guide’s fare)
  ・Instruction in "Ancient Bathing Etiquette"
  ・Towel
  ・"Yushaku" rental (available for purchase at 3,000 yen each)
  
• Excluded：
  ・Additional luggage transportation cost (from second item onwards)
  ・Onsen egg-making experience / Gelato purchase at Yakushi Park
  
• Items to bring：
  ・Passport
  ・Those who wish to drive an electric tuk-tuk or motorcycle on their own, Driver’s license (Valid International Driving Permit) is mandatory.
  　Scooters and electric bicycles do not require an international driver's license.
  
• Clothes：
  Pants style is recommended if you want to drive your own electric tuktuk or motorcycle.
  *Complimentary rental of warm clothing is available depending on the season.
  
• Participation requirements：
  【Age】
  ・Children able to ride in a slightly bumpy vehicle are welcome at any age.
  ・Children under 5 years old can participate for free.
  
  【Weight restrictions】
  ・Tuk-Tuk / Total weight 220kg or below (up to 3 people can ride one vehicle)
  ・Motorcycle, Scooter, Electric bicycle/100kg or below
  
  【Other things】
  ・Infants are required to sit on laps.
  ・Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
  
  
• Special support：Luggage storage is available.
• Free Wi-Fi：Yes
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)
• Other things to note：
  【Meeting】
  ・You can choose between 10:30 / 12:30 departure time. The itinerary and experience duration may vary slightly.
  
  【Yushaku】
  ・The "Yushaku" can be purchased for 3,000 yen instead of renting.
  
  【In case of cancellation due to weather or other circumstances】
  ・We will notify you by e-mail by 3:00 p.m. the day before the tour.
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%