Hot Spring Hotels in Kobe

The room was quite spacious, and the massage chair was a pleasant surprise – very comfortable to use. The room introduction was quite detailed, and it was my first time experiencing a traditional Japanese onsen ryokan. The tatami mats were interesting, and I slept well. The entire hotel felt like a museum; despite its age, it had a lot of character. I felt like I got a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which I really appreciated. The service, apart from being led to our room with traditional Japanese bows and the room introduction, was mostly self-service. However, this was my first time staying at a 'one night, two meals' ryokan, so I'm not sure if all onsens are like this. We also didn't have large luggage, just our bags, so maybe that's why we didn't notice any issues with luggage service. On a positive note, the front desk immediately knew which pair of shoes were ours when we checked out, which was good service. On the downside, the room's air conditioning unit was so well hidden that it took ages to find, and I was cold for quite a while. The phone either didn't work or I couldn't figure out how to use it. Also, we booked the private onsen from 8 PM to 9:30 PM. After relaxing for a bit, it was already close to 11 or 12. The public onsen closed from 12 AM to 1 AM, so we couldn't use it. We needed about 8 or 9 hours of sleep, and breakfast was scheduled for 9 AM. After breakfast, from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, the public onsen was closed. When we asked, the front desk informed us that check-out was strictly at 11 AM and we couldn't use the public onsen after checking out. So, we missed out on the public onsen, which was a real shame and couldn't be negotiated. In any five-star hotel in any country I've traveled to, it's usually possible to discuss using facilities after check-out. But it seems traditional onsen ryokans are all this rigid. While that might be how Japanese people are, for a hotel of this price, and for clearly inexperienced foreigners (we were even reminded we wore our kimonos the wrong way), when asking about meal times, couldn't they have kindly informed us that we needed to plan our breakfast, dinner, and onsen times accordingly? The food was light and flavorful. I don't eat seafood, and they were able to adjust the meals to my preferences. Communication two months prior was very responsive. However, for us, it was a bit too plain; Japanese people would probably love it. This was my first trip with my husband after giving birth, and I had been looking forward to the onsen part for a long time. I was very happy on the check-in day, but not being able to use the public onsen on the second day was still a big regret.

This was the kids' favorite hotel during our 15-day trip to Japan. The mountain scenery is beautiful, it's very quiet, and the air is fresh. We had a lot of fun making a fire, cooking, and having a BBQ together. The house is well-maintained, clean, refreshing, and warm enough. The staff are all very friendly and always provide timely assistance. The hotel's paid shuttle service can take you to some nearby attractions, which is also very convenient.

Food was great and Eri-san was very friendly and helpful. The room was really clean and love the private onsen with amazing view. I love how attentive Eri-san was as well, the timing in which the next meal came was impeccable, allowing me to enjoy the food thoroughly. Other ryokans I have stayed before (despite being more expensive), the breaks between the food served was very short and it felt like I was rushing to eat. The outdoor hotspring bath was great and perfect for people who cannot stand too high temperatures. Unfortunately, when we wanted to dip in Gekkoen's more traditional and older outdoor hotspring, it was being cleaned. Would love to try dipping in it the next time we visit again.

The room was absolutely gorgeous, and for the price, it definitely lived up to expectations. We loved everything, except for the breakfast – it just wasn't for us. It seemed to be Japanese-style food, but it was just so-so. So, if you're not a fan of local cuisine, you can probably skip breakfast and save some money. The service was excellent, though. They even provide kimonos in the room. The only slight hiccup was that we didn't book a transfer when we arrived, so we had to walk uphill for about 15 minutes, which was quite a struggle!

A heartwarming and thoughtful mountain hotel experience. This hotel stay completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep sense of genuine hospitality – there was a dedicated shuttle service directly from the station to the hotel, saving me the hassle of dragging my luggage around. The next day, I planned to explore the hot spring town at the foot of the mountain. The hotel proactively offered to store my luggage and deliver it to the station at the bottom of the mountain at the agreed time, completely freeing up my hands. The food was surprisingly delicious, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful pairings. The room was clean and comfortable, meticulously cleaned daily, and the common areas were also spotless. The service throughout was attentive yet unobtrusive. From the shuttle arrangements to the luggage storage, everything was efficient and heartwarming. It's truly perfect for travelers planning a hot spring trip. I'll definitely choose this place again on my next visit.

The hotel is very clean and tidy. The room and dining area are very nice. Dinner was good, buffet breakfast was great with a lot of choices. The hotel was located on the hill so it is okay to walk down to the shops and spots located around the train station, but not quite possible to walk up back to the hotel. Shuttle bus service is available between train station and hotel upon arrival and departure. The shopkeeper of the snack shop at the train station was very nice to help call the hotel to pick us up at the station. You can also take a taxi to the hotel which cost us only 700 yen.

Not a bad experience. The hotel provides free round-trip transfer service, but you can only contact the hotel from 1430 on the day of arrival. Dinner is kaiseki cuisine, mainly fish dishes, and you need to walk to the sister hotel nearby (1-2 minutes away) to enjoy it. Breakfast is a set meal and you need to stay in the hotel to eat. The open-air hot spring included in the room is very good and the hygiene level is satisfactory. Other details (including seasonal menus) can be viewed in advance on the hotel's official website.

In addition to free drinks, juice and coffee, red wine and white wine are provided every afternoon, allowing guests to soak in the hot spring bath to relax their body, mind and soul and enjoy a leisurely and carefree travel experience.

This hotel is quite good. Its prime location in the Arima Onsen resort area is a major draw. A significant highlight is the hotel's own onsen, featuring the unique 'Kinsen' (Gold Spring) and 'Ginsen' (Silver Spring) waters, which are a rare find elsewhere. Additionally, the hotel has a swimming pool, with free access for children, adding to its overall value. Perched on a hilltop, it offers fantastic panoramic views. While some facilities might be a bit dated, the overall experience was very pleasant, and it offers excellent value for money. I would happily return to this hotel given the chance. The buffet breakfast was satisfactory. A thoughtful touch is their arranged shuttle service for guests departing at 7 PM. Finally, the Japanese staff at the front desk were incredibly friendly and enthusiastic, which is definitely worth commending.

Since I arrived close to 10 PM, I didn't have time to explore the surroundings. The public bath was almost empty. The next day, I booked the shuttle bus to the station to head back to Sannomiya. If you're looking for a resort-like experience, this might not be the best fit. The hotel also doesn't offer breakfast, and they charge a bathing fee when you check out.