Onsens and Ryokans – A day of many firsts!

We hopped on the train to go to a quaint little town, Kinosaki, which was 2 ½ hours North of Kyoto. We loved Kinosaki. Thanks to our friend Holger who recommended it.

Kinosaki is known for their Onsen (hotspring baths) and crab. It really is the cutest, quaintest little town with tons of shops, cafes, patisseries, and Onsen. We stayed at Ryokan Mikuniya which was pretty cute and close to the train station. A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Guesthouse where we ate dinner on the floor and slept on futons on tatami mats. We were also given Yukatas (Kimonos) and Getas (wooden sandals) to wear around town. I definitely think everyone who visits Japan should stay in a Ryokan at one point just to get the true Japanese experience. They are a bit pricey though but dinner and breakfast are included.

So basically you come to Kinosaki to experience the baths. Let’s just say this was a first for both of us. They are separated for Men and Women. It’s basically a large communal bath with saunas, jacuzzis, and hot springs. There are "rules" one follows when bathing at the Onsen. I just did what everyone else did. It was quite an experience and I'm glad we did it but it may not be for everyone. :)

For dinner we were served a traditional Japanese meal with lots of seafood, sushi, squid, some kind of soup/egg/custard, miso soup, shabu shabu, crab, rice, tempura, and some stuff I couldn’t recognize. There were definitely things I couldn’t try but I did eat some tentacles of a squid/octopus looking thing. I was proud of this since Darsh wouldn’t even try it! Breakfast was also some of the same type of stuff. I wasn’t as adventurous for breakfast, somehow I couldn’t stomach a whole fish at 8am. Really I have no idea how I haven’t lost any weight yet…. :)

The rest of the time we spent walking around the town hanging out at the cafes. Darsh also hiked up a mountain to see the Onsenji Temple which provided a view of the city and the Japan Sea. Our time in Kinosaki was short but perfect. The people couldn’t be any nicer. Thanks again Holger!! :)