Goshonoyu Onsen — Attraction in Toyooka

Goshono-Yu has become my favorite onsen in Kinosaki — not just for me, but for my wife and son as well. Inspired by Kyoto’s Imperial Palace, the architecture is stunning and makes you feel like you’re stepping into something truly special.

The entire bathhouse is spacious and beautifully designed, and the outdoor onsen experience is truly relaxing. I especially love the side with three cascading pools: the bottom one is cooler and great for long soaks, while the top one near the waterfall is the hottest — I could barely stay 2–3 minutes in that one!

It’s perfect for families: calm, clean, and welcoming. My son’s favorite part? Grabbing an ice cream from the vending machine after the bath 🍦😄.

🌿 Visit during autumn or at night for a beautiful and peaceful experience. Just don’t forget to check the curtain colors (red = women, blue = men) — I once walked into the wrong side!

Highly recommended if you’re visiting Kinosaki Onsen — especially...

CASH ONLY - ¥800 single use or ¥1300 for day pass that can be used at all 7 Onsen in same day - if u want to do at least two a day - it’s worth it. Nothing fancy, just a single out door rock/marble bath area, separate wash area. The water is good and HOT, even in the snow ❄️. Although only one pool, it is separated into sections, the hottest is on the left as u face the pool it looks like a small fountain. On the other side of the fountain it gets about 4’ deep and has hot jets that came to my lower back, I’m 5’5”. The next pool up, toward the highest water fall (really just water running over rocks) is pushing out cool water - the pool is still HOT but I expected the water in this pool to be the hottest, as per usual - hotter near the source. I went around 6 pm and there were only a few people - the bulk left as I got there. The men and women’s side rotates daily I’m told - so not sure what the other side is...

Best onsen in Kinosaki with outside leveled bath Though, the water was very hot There is a resting area

All onsens in Kinosaki are relatively small, and if you compare it to Arima onsen for example: Arima's 2 onsens are small too, but they have the additional value of information - there's explanations about the healing properties of the water, stories about the city etc, in public spaces. In Kinosaki there's not much to learn when you walk in the onsens. For example, I read Gosho-no-yu is 'Water of Beauty' but at onsen there is no further explanation, no information, no signs. The experience is nice, you can stroll around in onsen yukata and relax, but it does feel a bit flat.

It's a pity because I think all people who visit would be happy to learn more - like that people used to first hike up to onsenji temple before entering onsens. That's the piece of information I...