
Kin no Yu is a historic public bathhouse located in the heart of Arima Onsen, Kobe—one of Japan’s oldest and most renowned hot spring towns. This facility is celebrated for its distinctive “kinsen” or “golden waters,” which emerge clear but oxidize to a rich amber hue due to high concentrations of iron and salt. These mineral-rich waters are believed to offer therapeutic benefits, including relief from muscle and joint pain, improved circulation, and skin nourishment.
Inside Kin no Yu, visitors will find two indoor baths of varying temperatures (approximately 42°C and 44°C), allowing guests to choose their preferred level of warmth. The bathhouse provides essential amenities such as shampoo and shower gel, and it is known to be tattoo-friendly, welcoming a diverse range of guests.
Adjacent to the main facility is a free foot bath (ashiyu), perfect for a brief, relaxing soak while exploring the town.
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4.0 (4125 reviews)
3.9 (219 reviews)
Tattoo friendly (I'm covered!) and a good mixture of tourists and locals. Staff at the entrance were so helpful in getting us booked in and guiding us through the process. Sweated my life away in the mineral waters and had a cold bottle of the Arima cider water afterwards - blissful
Verified tattoos okay. High mineral content water appears rusty-brownish (but called "gold" in Japanese). Many foreigners, they're used to us. One of two in Arima (other is Gin no Yu).
Small neighborhood Onsen, simple, very clean, quiet. Mainly practiced by locals. Two baths are with brown spring water. The first at 42 degrees Celsius, the second at 44 degrees (very hot). We enjoyed tasting an Arima sparkling water on the way out.
This is the best onsen, and by far the cheapest, the other ones are ridiculously overpriced, loved this onsen, very authentic and clean, extremely hot water in the hottest pool



