Access

Kinosaki Onsen, located near the Sea of Japan, is under 3 hours by travel from Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe & Himeji. Google Maps

The town of Kinosaki Onsen is quaint & compact, making it easily walkable. For convenience, regular hotel shuttle bus service is available.

By JR Train

FAQ

From Osaka?

From Osaka Station take either the Konotori or Hamakaze limited express train direct for Kinosaki Onsen. From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Konotori limited express train direct for Kinosaki Onsen. Total travel time is under 3 hours with no transfers required. Full schedule here.

From Kyoto?

From Kyoto Station take the Kinosaki limited express train direct for Kinosaki Onsen. Total travel time is under 2 hours with no transfers required. Full schedule here.

From Kansai International Airport?

Take train to Osaka / Shin-Osaka / Kyoto Station, and then transfer to limited express train for Kinosaki Onsen. Confirm route on Hyperdia. Travel time is 5-6 hours. Last dinner start time is 19:00, so morning flight arrival is recommended!

From Kobe / Himeji?

Take the Hamakaze limited express train from Sannomiya (centra Kobe) or Himeji Station, direct for Kinosaki Onsen. From Kobe it takes about 2.5 hours. From Himeji, about 1.5 hours. There are no transfers required. Full schedule here.

From Tokyo?

From central Tokyo it takes 5-6 hours to reach Kinosaki. Take a shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka Station and transfer to limited express train for Kinosaki Onsen. Confirm route on Hyperdia. Plan to leave Tokyo by about 10:30 AM to arrive in Kinosaki by 16:00 PM.

From Hiroshima?

From Hiroshima Station take a shinkansen (bullet train) to Himeji Station. From there, transfer to limited express train Hamakaze for Kinosaki Onsen. Total journey takes 4-5 hours. Confirm route on Hyperdia.

From Amanohashidate / Northern Kyoto?

From Amanohashidate Station take a train to Toyooka Station. Change to train for Kinosaki Onsen (San-In Line for Kasumi). Total journey takes 1.5 - 2 hours. Note that JR passes cannot be used from Amanohashidate to Toyooka. Confirm route on Hyperdia.

Are elevators available at JR Kinosaki Onsen Station?

JR Kinosaki Onsen Station has four platforms. Three of the four platforms are accessible by elevator. The platform without elevator is a smaller platform used mostly for local, regular trains. If you are arriving/departing on a limited express train, generally you will arrive/depart on a platform that has elevator access.

What Rail Pass Can Be Used for Kinosaki Onsen?

The following passes can be used for free rail access to Kinosaki Onsen (on JR lines):

More information about rail passes in Japan available here.

Shuttle Transfer From Kinosaki Stn.

The Ryokan Association in Kinosaki operates a common shuttle bus available upon arrival of certain limited express trains. When you decide your arrival train, contact us with arrival time and we will tell the shuttle bus staff to expect you. Shuttle is complimentary.

FAQ

Is shuttle bus free?

Yes, the Ryokan Assocation shuttle bus is free.

When is shuttle bus available?

The shuttle bus is only available with the arrival of certain limited express trains. Please check this schedule.

How do I ride the shuttle bus?

Staff of the Ryokan Association will be waiting (see schedule) at the entrance of Kinosaki Onsen Station. Tell the staff you are staying at "Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei" and they will bring you to our ryokan.

How long is the shuttle bus ride?

Depends on traffic and other conditions. The shuttle bus is shared by many of the ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen. The shuttle will likely need to make stops before arriving at Shogetsutei to let guests of other ryokan off. The ride could take a few to several minutes.

How do I reserve seats?

Seats are not reserved, but tell us your arrival time and we will inform the shuttle bus staff. It will help them organize the number of vehicles needed, etc.

Walking to Shogetsutei

From Kinosaki Onsen Station, it is approximately 25-30 minutes to Shogetsutei by foot. You can check your bags at the Ryokan Service Center in front of the station (200 JPY / bag). They will be transferred to Shogetsutei for you.

FAQ

What is the closet airport to Kinosaki Onsen?

Tajima Konotori Airport. A small regional airport that has two flights per day from/to Osaka (Itami Airport). The flight is about 40 minutes. From the airport take the bus or taxi to Kinosaki Onsen (about 30-40 min).

What is the closest international airport to Kinosaki Onsen?

Kansai International Airport (KIX) located near Osaka. By train it takes about 4-5 hours to reach Kinosaki Onsen from the airport. Morning arrival is recommended to arrive in time for dinner to Kinosaki Onsen (last dinner start is 19:00).

By Car

* Yoka-Hyonosen IC -> Kinosaki Onsen takes about 50 minutes.
* During winter time chains/snow tires may be required.

FAQ

Is parking available?

Yes, free parking is available at our ryokan.

What should I do when coming by car?

Contact us with your departure location and estimated arrival time. When you arrive, pull into to our entrance. Our staff will direct you to parking. If for any reason your arrival is delayed past 18:00 please call us: 0796-32-3535 (inside Japan) / +81-796-32-3535 (international dial)

How do I find Shogetsutei by GPS / Car Navigation?

For Japanese cars the easiest way is to search by telephone number: 0796-32-3535. For other systems try searching by "Shogetsutei" or "Kinosaki Onsen".

Can I drive to Kinosaki Onsen in winter?

Kinosaki has four distinct seasons and experiences snow in winter. Although total road closures are rare, winter driving tires or chains are sometimes required for driving on express ways or certain highways/roads. Check driving conditions before departing.

How do I rent a car in Japan?

See Japan Guide for general information about car rental & driving in Japan.

Can I rent a car when in Kinosaki?

Yes. Nippon Rent-a-car has an outlet in Kinosaki. You can book in English online here.

Highway Bus

Zentan Bus operates daily highway buses (see flyer) between Osaka/Kobe and Kinosaki Onsen. The journey is about 3 hours one-way. Online booking in English is available.

FAQ

How do I reserve bus seats?

Online booking in English is available here. Click "Routes" and then search for "Kinosaki". Select the route you wish to book tickets from there.

Where does the highway bus arrive / depart in Kinosaki Onsen?

The bus stop is in front of the Sozoro Tourist Information Center, next to Satono-yu public onsen and Kinosaki Onsen Station.

How do I get to Shogetsutei from the bus stop?

If your arrival time coincides with the Ryokan Assocaiton Shuttle Bus departures times (see schedule) you may ride that shuttle. Just tell the staff waiting at the front of Kinosaki Onsen Station you are staying "Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei". The shuttle bus is free.

By Airplane

FAQ

What is the closet airport to Kinosaki Onsen?

Tajima Konotori Airport. A small regional airport that has two flights per day from/to Osaka (Itami Airport). The flight is about 40 minutes. From the airport take the bus or taxi to Kinosaki Onsen (about 30-40 min).

What is the closest international airport to Kinosaki Onsen?

Kansai International Airport (KIX) located near Osaka. By train it takes about 4-5 hours to reach Kinosaki Onsen from the airport. Morning arrival is recommended to arrive in time for dinner to Kinosaki Onsen (last dinner start is 19:00).

Hotel Shuttle Bus

Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei has a complimentary shuttle bus that goes through Kinosaki Onsen which all guests of Nishimuraya can use:

Route:
(1) Depart: Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei
(2) Stop: Sanpou Nishimuraya (next to Nishimuraya Honkan)
(3) Stop: Eki Dori Park (on the main street leading from Kinosaki Onsen Station).
(4) Stop: Kinosaki Onsen Station
(5) Return: stopping at 3 & 2 on the way back to Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei.

Time schedule:
Morning Departures: 8:30 / 9:00 / 9:30 / 10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30
Pre-Dinner Departures: 15:00 / 15:30 / 16:00 / 16:30 / 17:00 / 17:30 / 18:00
After-Dinner Departures: 20:00 / 20:30 / 21:00 / 21:30 / 22:00

Notes:
* Average time to station is 5-10 minutes.
* Departure varies based on demand. Confirm your departure with the front desk.
* Arrival times vary due to traffic, passenger volume, etc. Thank you for your understanding.
* Due to traffic shuttle bus may stop at locations different than indicated above.
* Free pass for public onsen are valid until 10:00 AM on day of check-out.
* Route is limited during summer season (late July - Aug) after-dinner departure times.
* Irregular operations occur / confirm departure with reception desk

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