When visiting historic Arima Onsen, you definitely can't miss its most iconic hot spring landmark—Kin no Yu! As soon as you reach the entrance, you can feel the rich atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring town. Because the water is rich in iron and salt, it turns a distinctive golden-brown color when exposed to air, which is why it's called “Kinsen.” It looks very mysterious.
The moment I stepped into the bath and soaked in the steaming hot spring, all my fatigue instantly disappeared. The deep, gentle warmth was especially soothing, and afterward, my whole body felt refreshed and my skin felt silky smooth. If you don't want to spend a lot of money staying at an expensive hot spring hotel, soaking in a public bath like this is truly the best and most authentic option. After your bath, you can also sit at the free footbath outside and chat while soaking your feet, or buy some carbonated rice crackers nearby. I highly recommend experiencing the excellent golden spring water at Kin no Yu when you visit Arima Onsen!























