River & Port Area

Area encompasing Hiyoriyama, Tsuiyama, Kehi & Maruyama River

River and Port Area view from Hiyoriyama

Along with the beauty of the Maruyama River that cuts through the mountains and the rugged coast where the river leads you out to, come see and taste the wonders of the sea.

You can follow the Maruyama River from Kinosaki and visit the riverfront park of Maruyamagawa Koen, up to the little beach town of Kehi, over and through a fishing town and port famous for its crab and fresh catches called Tsuiyama. Then finally up the coastal road and mountains to Hiyoriyama where you can have a close encounter with our sea life friends at Marine World.

ABOUT THE RIVER & PORT AREA

Let our local expert show you around
Master Local Expert of Port & River
PROFILE

Growing up around the sea my friends and I gained an afinity with the sea and its inhabitants. I encourage you to stretch your legs beyond Kinosaki so that I can share this same love of the sea with you.

Marine World Aquarium Hiyoriyama

Marine World in Hiyoriyama

Located on the cliffs overlooking the Japan Sea, Marine World first began as a fishing attraction where you could come and catch your own aji (a type of Japanese mackerel) and then have staff cook it up right there for you to eat. Although that attraction is still around, and little kids love it, we have expanded our facilities and number of marine residents. It is still considerably smaller than most major aquariums, but this is also one of our charms. Because of our smaller and more intimate settings, guests are able to interact closely with the staff and animals in our keeping. The “Dive”, a stage that lowers visitors into the center of one of our tanks, tide pool, and “dolphin touch” options let visitors interact closer with the marine life.

Aquarium Marine World dolphin show fishing
  • Hiyoriyama Ryu-gu-jo Dragon Palace

Off the coast you can see a castle sitting on a small island. This is the mythical Ryugu-jo or Dragon Palace from the Japanese folklore of Urashima Taro. Locals believe that the area has ties with this story and so have built the castle out on the rocks. There is a mystical feel about it, especially when the fog rolls in around it.

  • Backstage tours of marine world, penguin walks and dolphin touch
Best time to visit:
Right at opening or on a weekday.

Get here early in the morning on the weekends or try to come on a weekday when crowds are small. This will give you chance to talk with the trainers, as they tend to have more time to brag about their little friends.
The upside of arriving early is that you can also sign up for the backyard tours and other special encounters, like dolphin touch, before they sell out for the day.

If your timing is really good and there isn’t a crowd, some trainers will give you a mini private show, as long as their friends feel up to it.

Sunset over the Maruyama River marshes
TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

Part of the pleasure is in the journey

For visitors staying in Kinosaki Onsen, don’t be afraid to wander outside of the hot spring village. There are all kinds of hidden scenic spots just a short bike ride or walk away. If you head north along the big river, Maruyama, you will find Maruyamagawa Park, Kehi Beach, and Tsuiyama before heading up the hill to Marine World.

Maruyamagawa Park is a nature school, art museum and athletic park. Here you can enjoy swimming in the outdoor public pool in the summer and then in the winter they turn the pool into an ice-skating rink.

Kehi Beach is the closest swimming beach and camp site to Kinosaki Onsen. It is less known than Takeno Beach, but that makes it less crowded during the beach season. Here you can also camp along the shore and BBQ (Kehi being one of the few beaches in the area that lets you do so).

Further up just before Hiyoriyama, the location of Marine World, is Tsuiyama Fishing Port and town. This is where the majority of the fish and crabs that you probably get to enjoy at your ryokan in Kinosaki comes from. The town is older and has a classic feel. Very little traffic makes walking the narrow streets easier. If you go early in the morning, you might be able to spot the local fishermen offloading their daily catch and auctioning it off to the local ryokan.

Kehi beach and Tsuiyama fishing port town

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations

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Yamamotoya

Centrally located in the hot spring town, perfect for touring the public hot springs. Great place to ...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 20,900 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with no meals JPY 12,100 /person /night 〜
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Mikuniya

A 3 minute walk from the train station is a hidden retreat. We offer 3 free private baths, a beauty s...

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Onishiya Suishoen

Torches and a Noh stage accent the central garden which is surrounded by a tatami floored modern Japa...

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Shinzan Rakutei

Shinzan Rakutei is about 5 minutes from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station by the free check-in bus. About 30 ...

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Terakawa

Open in 2023! A chartered room with high quality, limited to only one group per day. Run by a crab sp...

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En

The Japanese – style auberge only for adults.

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 26,730 /person /night 〜
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Suigou

Surrounded by gardens, stop a while and calm your mind at our affordable Japanese family style inn.

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Shinonomesou

Public stone bath in main building and private baths in second building. Beautiful wooden furniture. ...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 25,300 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with no meals JPY 8,800 /person /night 〜
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Kinosaki Tourism Hotel Higashiyamasou

The cool breeze rustles through the open-air hot spring bath at Higashiyama Sou, a Kinosaki hot sprin...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 20,500 /person /night 〜
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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 14,940 /person /night 〜
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Tokiwa Bekkan

Gardens, cuisine, and an open air bath. A relaxing stay for each individual guest. Many have come bac...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 19,800 /person /night 〜
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Seri

Enjoy traditional Japanese course meals and views of Maruyama River and the rolling mountains from th...

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Morizuya

Cave bath carved from the mountain, a favorite with female guests. In the middle of Kinosaki with an ...

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Tsuchiya

UTSUROI TSUCHIYA ANNEX is newly opened in October 2018.

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Lodging with breakfast JPY 16,500 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with no meals JPY 14,300 /person /night 〜
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Okeshou

This traditional Japanese inn has Japanese style rooms with a living room and bedroom (2room) layout,...

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Lodging with no meals JPY 16,500 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with breakfast JPY 18,700 /person /night 〜
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Tsukimotoya

Purely old Japanese style inn with the image of Kinosaki. Great location surrounded by the public hot...

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Tsutaya

Beautifully constructed of wood, this 3 story Ryokan blends into Kinosaki Onsen's elegance.

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 17,600 /person /night 〜
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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 17,600 /person /night 〜
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yamayoshi

Awarded "No.1 satisfied with dinner in kinki and hokuriku area in Mar. 2014 by a Japanese website for...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 20,900 /person /night 〜
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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 26,400 /person /night 〜
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Kourakuen

Enjoy relaxing hot springs and delicious meals worth their price at this tranquil inn.

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 15,510 /person /night 〜
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Kinsui

Inside we've created soothing surroundings with sunken fireplaces and a salon.

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Ichidaya

A lovely little inn along the willow lined streets. Complete with private hot spring baths, offering ...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 24,200 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with no meals JPY 14,300 /person /night 〜
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Kawaguchiya Kinosaki Riverside Hotel

Our ryokan aims to provide the best service and hospitality to our guests. We are located on the rive...

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Tenbouen

Women visiting Kinosaki show favor to our private bath, spa and bedrock bath.

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Tajimaya

A lovely inn centrally located in the heart of Kinosaki Hot Spring town. A popular and stylish inn am...

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 30,800 /person /night 〜
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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 22,000 /person /night 〜
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Yamatoya

Tsuiyama brand crab, located directly in the middle of the tour route for the seven famous open-air b...

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Lodging with breakfast JPY 8,800 /person /night 〜
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Lodging with no meals JPY 7,150 /person /night 〜
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Ryokan Sensui

Featuring 3 free private open-air baths in our traditional Japanese inn.

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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 26,400 /person /night 〜
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Dinner and breakfast included JPY 20,900 /person /night 〜
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