Five Unbeatable Locales for Snowy Sightseeing Around Kinosaki Onsen

    KINOSAKI ONSEN, JAPAN, September 13, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Snow-capped mountains and cozy hot springs are staples of the holidays in Kinosaki Onsen, paired with steaming Tajima beef buns and Matsuba crab dinners for a dazzling luxury getaway during the happiest time of the year. What better way to add a bit of adventure to your hot spring retreat than a day in the snow? Take a look at some of the best locations around town for powdery white. landscapes and a jolly good time:

The summit of Mount Daishi in Kinosaki
Mount Daishi is a majestic mountain in the back of town that is home not only to Kinosaki Onsen's guardian Buddhist temple, but also a Michelin-acclaimed view located at the summit. No winter excursion to Kinosaki Onsen is complete without a ride on the Kinosaki Ropeway all the way up to Mount Daishi's summit observation deck. While the chilly air 231 meters above sea level may have visitors wishing for another hot spring soak, visitors can rest easy with a coffee break at the mountaintop Miharashi Terrace Cafe.

A starlit night on the slopes of Kannabe
With three ski resorts and multiple locally run inns for seasonal adventurers to set up basecamp, the highland town of Kannabe boasts gorgeous winter scenes from morning till night. While daytime shredders retire to their rooms, evening daredevils can join locals on the starry slopes during nighters, ski plans that rev up once the sun sets.

Mount Arikoyama and Torii gates in Izushi
A quaint castle town just south of Kinosaki Onsen, Izushi is known for soba, pottery, kabuki, and of course, its amazing seasonal scenery. After a soba noodle lunch in one of the dozens of soba shops lining the retro town streets, visitors are encouraged to walk on over to the Izushi Castle Ruins and Arikoyama Inari Shrine Torii gates, presenting a sublime canvas painted with old-town charm and winter wonderland allure.

Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands in Kinosaki
Named after one Oriental White Stork who made these wetlands his home, the Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands is a wonderful spot for stork-watching no matter the season. On winter days, take a seat at the observation counter and observe the resident stork couple keeping cozy together in their snow-topped nest. Telescopes and binoculars are available for use.

Nekozaki Peninsula from Mount Jaja in Takeno
Instead of swimming the clear blue waters of Takeno, a small seaside town one station from Kinosaki Onsen and home to one of Japan's top 100 beaches, take a winter walk along the snow-capped beachside before trekking up to the top of Mount Jaja. Known as the best lookout point in Takeno, Mount Jaja gives panoramic views of the entire town including Nekozaki Peninsula (the northernmost point in Hyogo Prefecture) and cozy retro "charred cedar" homes topped in a layer of thick snow.

Kinosaki Onsen is a town of time-honored hot springs dating back 1300 years ago. It is home to seven public bathhouses, all located within walking distance of each other and the train station. Guests are encouraged to wear yukata and geta, stroll through the town, and go onsen-hopping.

Toyooka is a downtown area home to the Oriental White Stork, a bird that was revived from extinction in this very town. The city's efforts restored the Oriental White Stork population, and now over 300 fly the skies of Japan. Toyooka is also known for the Genbudo Caves.

Izushi is the resident castle town, popular for its nostalgic atmosphere of Edo-era Japan. It is home to many interesting attractions such as castle ruins, a samurai house, a kabuki theater, and a clock tower. The town's specialty is Izushi Sara Soba, buckwheat noodles served in small portions on small plates.

Kannabe is a mountainous area with fun activities year-round. In the winter, one can go skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding. In the warm months, one can go camping, paragliding, fishing, tree climbing, and more. Kannabe is the perfect destination for adventurers.

Takeno is a quaint fisherman town that is a hidden gem among the northern coast of Hyogo Prefecture. The beach has clear, blue waters while the mountains surrounding it offer great hiking opportunities. It is encouraged to stroll through the peaceful town, where one can find small shops and traditional landscapes.

Tanto is a quiet countryside town with magnificent nature—including a giant field of sunflowers in the summer and brilliant red leaved trees in the fall.

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