5 Unique Arima Onsen Experiences You May Have Seen on NHK [2026]

NHK programs have featured some of Arima Onsen's most distinctive facilities, but the show often doesn't make the name or booking details easy to catch. If you found yourself thinking "Where was that rooftop pool?" or "I want to know more about that bird's-nest outdoor bath," this guide is for you.

Arima Onsen is about 30 minutes from Kobe by train . Beyond the famous gold and silver springs, here's a fresh look at what Arima has to offer.

Rooftop Onsen Pool (Swimsuit Style) — Tōsen Goshobō

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Tōsen Goshobō has a rare rooftop onsen pool where guests enter wearing a yuami-gi (swimsuit-style bathing garment) and can enjoy drinks while soaking in the hot spring.

It's a uniquely open-air experience that stands apart from conventional onsen, popular with couples and groups of women. Check the official Instagram ( @arimaonsen_goshoboh ) for the latest usage details.

Hotel Stay

有馬温泉　陶泉　御所坊

★ 4.3 (305件) 参考料金 ¥16,600〜

The rooftop onsen pool allows swimsuit-style entry — a rare format. You can enjoy drinks while soaking in the hot spring.

神戸電鉄有馬温泉駅から徒歩5分／中国自動車道西宮北ＩＣより５ｋｍ／神戸空港より電車乗り継ぎで約60分

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Inn Details

• Address: 858 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
• Phone: 078-904-0551
• Access: 5 min walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station / approx. 5 km from Nishinomiya-kita IC on the Chugoku Expressway / approx. 60 min from Kobe Airport by connecting trains
• Parking: 40 spaces, free, no reservation required (Arima-sato Parking)
• Map: View on Google Maps

Bird's-Nest Open-Air Bath — Arimasansō Gosho Bessho

Arimasansō Gosho Bessho , a luxury inn run by the same owner as Goshobō, offers 10 fully private detached rooms.

The standout feature is a treehouse-style open-air bath called "Corvo de Ouro (Golden Crow)" — a nest-like structure surrounded by tree branches and a one-of-a-kind onsen found nowhere else in the world.

Each room also has a thermal room (low-temperature sauna at around 37°C), ideal for warming up gently without strain. Fresh seafood delivered directly from Akashi Ura fishing port and rare Kobe beef "Tajima Gen" are additional highlights. Well-suited for couples and anniversary trips.

Hotel Stay

有馬山叢　御所別墅（ごしょべっしょ）

★ 3.5 (44件) 参考料金 ¥27,600〜

10 rooms, all private detached cottages. Features the treehouse-style open-air bath 'Corvo de Ouro' and a thermal room in every room.

有馬温泉駅より送迎車あり／阪神高速西宮山口東出口から約6分／新神戸駅より鉄道約30分　新大阪駅より高速バスで約50分

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Inn Details

• Address: 958 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
• Access: Shuttle from Arima Onsen Station / approx. 6 min from Hanshin Expressway Nishinomiyayamaguchi-higashi IC / approx. 30 min by rail from Shin-Kobe Station / approx. 50 min by highway bus from Shin-Osaka Station
• Parking: 20 spaces, free
• Map: View on Google Maps

🛝 Room with a Slide — Motoyu Ryūsenkaku

Motoyu Ryūsenkaku has been positioned as a "family inn where even babies can enjoy in-room dining" for over 20 years.

Certain guest rooms have a slide installed, and the inn offers more than 50 children's services including an indoor heated pool, a kids' corner, baby food options, and a baby room. The flat rate for elementary school students is ¥9,900 per night with 2 meals (children's menu), valid 325 days a year regardless of the season — easy to plan for three-generation travel.

Private guest rooms with the inn's own source gold spring open-air bath are also available, so families can still enjoy a proper onsen experience.

Hotel Stay

神戸有馬温泉　元湯龍泉閣〜赤ちゃんも楽しめるお部屋食の宿〜

★ 4.5 (670件) 参考料金 ¥12,100〜

50+ children's services. Elementary school students stay with 2 meals for a flat ¥9,900 (325 days/year) — great for three-generation trips.

有馬温泉駅より徒歩10分。チェックイン時とチェックアウト時に送迎有。ご到着時にご連絡ください。神戸市内より車で約30分。

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Inn Details

• Address: 1663 Utsugi-dani, Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
• Access: 10 min walk from Arima Onsen Station. Shuttle available at check-in and check-out. Approx. 30 min by car from central Kobe
• Parking: 30 spaces on-site, free, no reservation required
• Map: View on Google Maps

Dressed by an Active Geisha — Arima Geisha Experience

At Arima Geiko Cafe "Ito" , active Arima geisha provide a full package of makeup, wig-setting, and kimono dressing.

The café itself is also open for visitors to enjoy wagashi sweets and matcha tea while ambient sounds of shamisen and nagauta music fill the traditional space. On select dates, geisha perform live dance, adding an even more immersive atmosphere.

After dressing, you can stroll and take photos through the onsen town for about 2 hours wearing authentic geisha wigs and kimono. An onsen ticket is included as a gift.

• Price: ¥33,000 (tax included) per person
• Open to: All genders (international visitors welcome)
• Reservations: Via official website

Your Dog Can Stay in Arima Too — DOG UP VILLA

DOG UP VILLA at Arima Grand Hotel has an intriguing concept: "deliberately not staying with your dog." The owner relaxes in the main hotel with full onsen access while the dog stays in a dedicated private cottage.

The service for dogs is proper and thorough: morning and evening walks in the "Yuno-niwa" garden are included, and an in-room camera lets you check in on your pet. Food can be brought from home or an optional dog plate (¥2,500) is available.

As I looked into it, the booking process is a little unique: first book your own stay at the Arima Grand Hotel official website, then enter the issued reservation number into the DOG UP VILLA reservation form to add the dog as a separate booking — a two-step system.

Only small to medium dogs are accepted (under 15 kg, aged 6 months to under 12 years). Vaccination proof (3-in-1 + rabies) must be sent by mail, fax, or email by the day before check-in. Without this, the dog cannot be boarded and a cancellation fee will apply.

Hotel Stay

有馬温泉　有馬グランドホテル

★ 4.6 (1,669件) 参考料金 ¥17,050〜

From ¥10,560 per dog (50% off for the second). Two-step booking: reserve your own stay at Arima Grand Hotel, then add the dog via the DOG UP VILLA form. Small to medium dogs only (under 15 kg).

有馬温泉駅（電車、バス、ロープウェイ）より送迎サービス有（要電話）　神戸電鉄有馬温泉駅より徒歩10分　

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Inn Details

• Address: 1304-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401
• Access: Shuttle from Arima Onsen Station (train / bus / ropeway) — call ahead; or 10 min walk from Kobe Electric Railway Arima Onsen Station
• Parking: 400 spaces, free / approx. 5 km from Nishinomiya-kita IC on the Chugoku Expressway
• Note: DOG UP VILLA requires a two-step booking: first book your own stay at Arima Grand Hotel, then add your dog via the dedicated form
• Map: View on Google Maps

Arima Onsen offers far more than its famous springs. Even within easy day-trip distance, how you choose to stay and what you choose to experience can make for an entirely different kind of trip.

For Those Who Want to Stay Overnight

After exploring Arima Onsen, spending the night and taking your time is always a great option.

Check hotels in Arima Onsen on Rakuten Travel

For a purpose-by-purpose comparison of hotels in Arima, see our Arima Onsen hotel guide by category .