​ Sam Lee Travel

Let The Wandering Journey Begins ✨

Hello, my fellow wanderer!

I hope you are well 😉

I am well over two weeks into my Japan trip and I am typing this from a very cosy hotel in Kanazawa!

I have taken 4 long distance buses (2 overnight trips) so far in Japan and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who:

• wants to save a night or two of accommodation 🏨
• wants to start the day really early in new city/town 🌄
• would like to try out the Japan bus experience 🚌
• doesn't want to splurge on shinkansen rides or getting a JR Pass isn't worth it (you can use this JR calculator to check) 🚄

Anyway, I did a day trip to Arima Onsen from Osaka yesterday and it was such a laid-back, charming place! (my new fav place in Japan) 🇯🇵

Considered as one of the Japan's oldest onsen resorts with over one thousand years of history, Arima Onsen is known for its two types of hot spring waters; Kinsen (gold water) and Ginsen (silver water). ♨️

Kin no Yu was closed yesterday and so I went to Gin no Yu instead.

And yes, you need to be butt naked to soak at the onsen! 😜

I didn't take any photos in the onsen for obvious reason but here's a rough Gin no Yu onsen guide:

• First, keep your shoes in one of the shoe lockers located on the left side of the entrance.
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• Then turn to the right side and buy your ticket from the vending machine.
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• Slot in the money and click on the "Onsen" button. If you didn't bring any towel, you can buy it for 550 yen via the machine as well. You can check with the staff if you are not sure. ​
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  ​Tip: Just get the big towel; you don't need the small towel, unless you feel shy and want to cover your fanny before getting into the onsen.
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• Press the black button near the coin slot for your change. Don't forget to take the printed ticket/s. (If you buy the towel, you will have 2 tickets).
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• Pass the ticket/s to the counter staff and collect the towel and locker key.
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• Then walk to the changing area and put your belongings in the locker (this is where everyone is just casually naked while others are drying their hair or doing their makeup within the same space. No curtains, no hiding spots, nothing). 🫣
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• Walk to the shower area (another open area) to wash up before entering the onsen and enjoying the soak! 🚿

And taadaaaa you are officially a Japanese public onsen graduate 🥳

Arima Onsen is small enough to be explored by foot so you can easily visit the main attractions within a day.

But if you have extra time, you can always stay overnight in one of the ryokans and dip in the hot spring as many times as your soul desires! 🧘🏻‍♀️

Here are some little snippets from Arima Onsen:

Extra Arima Onsen travel tips:

• You can book the bus ticket from Osaka to Arima Onsen and back online. It is a comfy 1-hour bus ride.
• Bring cash with you since some shops or businesses only accept cash payment.
• Wear comfy shoes.
• Gin no Yu is a tattoo-friendly onsen bath house!

I will create a full Arima Onsen day trip itinerary once I am back in Singapore and I will update you when it is ready.

Now I am off to explore Kanazawa (one of my fav places in Japan)! 😍

Let me know if you have any questions about Japan travel; I will try my best to answer them all!

Adventure is out there,

Sam 😉