Visit Kinosaki Onsen. The best onsen town in Japan, located near to Kyoto.

Kinosaki Onsen is located close to Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, making it easily accessible by train and bus. It is also located along JR lines, meaning that JR Pass, JR West Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass holders can use their passes to reach Kinosaki Onsen.

There are express trains between Kyoto and Osaka to Kinosaki almost every hour. Although most trains are direct, some will require a quick transfer in Fukuchiyama. There are also express trains from Himeji and Kobe. Access from Kobe takes roughly 2h 40 min. From Himeji it takes roughly 1h 50 min.
There are two round trip flights from Osaka Int. Airport and Tajima airport per day. The flight duration is around 40 min. From Tokyo, you can fly from Haneda to Tajima airport with a transfer at Osaka Int. airport. The whole journey from Haneda to Tajima takes about 2h 10 min. Taxis from Tajima airport to Kinosaki Onsen take about 30-40 min. 

JR Limited Express trains are convinient for access from JR Kyoto, Osaka, Sannomiya, Himeji. (The HAMAKAZE limited express trains are operated limitedly, please check the timetables in advance.)

From TOKYO

From Tokyo take the shinkansen HIKARI to JR Kyoto Station or JR Shin-Osaka station and then transfer to limited express train.
It takes approximately 5 hours from JR Tokyo Station.

From KYOTO

From JR Kyoto station. It takes approximately 2.5 hours by Limited Express train KINOSAKI or HASHIDATE. A transfer at JR Fukuchiyama Station may be required.

From OSAKA

From Osaka. It takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes by Limited Express train KONOTORI. A transfer in JR Fukuchiyama Station to Limited Express train KINOSAKI may be required.

From KOBE

From Kobe take the Limited Express train HAMAKAZE from JR Sannomiya Station directly to Kinosaki. It takes approximately 2.5 hours. It may also be possible to take rapid service trains to JR Amagasaki and transfer to limited express train KONOTORI.

From HIMEJI

From Himeji take the Limited Express train HAMAKAZE from JR Himeji Station. It takes approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.

From KANSAI INT. AIRPORT

From Kansai International airport take the Limited Express HARUKA to Tennoji. Then transfer to Limited Express KONOTORI at JR Osaka Station.

From NARITA INT. AIRPORT

From Narita International airport take the Limited Express Narita Express to JR Tokyo Station.
Then take the shinkansen* to Kyoto. From Kyoto follow the train access directions listed above.
*JR passes can NOT be used with “NOZOMI”, “MIZUHO”, or “HAYABUSA” shinkansens.

From OSAKA

It takes approximately 3 hours 20 minutes from Osaka (Hankyu San Bangai).
Express Bus services provided six times a day by Zentan Bus are easy and reasonable (reservation required).
It costs 3700 yen between Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen one way. Discount is offered for return ticket.

From KOBE

It takes approximately 3 hours 10 minutes from Kobe (departure from Shinki bus Sannomiya bus terminal). Highway Bus services provided three times a day by Zentan Bus are easy and reasonable (reservation required) between Kobe to Kinosaki Onsen. Discount is offered for return ticket.

From KANSAI INT. AIRPORT
to OSAKA

It takes approximately 60 minutes from Terminal 1 at Kansai international airport and 60 minutes from Terminal 2 to Hankyu Umeda (Shin Hankyu Hotel).