Day X Osaka/Kyoto – Kinosaki Onsen
Start： Osaka/Kyoto(大阪京都)
Finish： Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉)
Mileage：
From Kyoto: 220km
From Osaka: 240km
From Kansai Airport: 290km
Travel Pace： Fast
On this day, you will head to Kinosaki Onsen on the Sea of Japan side from Osaka or Kyoto.
Recommended Itinerary
1
Osaka/Kyoto
Parking MAPCODE：
９：００
It is recommended that you leave early as the distance covered on this day will be very long at 220-290km. Also, please be sure to use the Kyoto Jukan Expressway (E9) on the way to shorten the travel time. In addition, if you arrive at the departure point for this day in the afternoon, please consider staying overnight in Osaka or Kyoto and leaving early the next morning.
170 min
2
Amanohashidate
Parking MAPCODE：
197 202 313１１：５０
The first destination of the day is [Amanohashidate]. Amanohashidate is a sandbar covered with pine trees in the northern side of Kyoto prefecture. First, please head to [Amanohashidate View Land]. Please park your car and take a chair lift or monorail to enjoy the views from high above the hills. Amanohashidate is worth seeing from a high place, so there is a fee but it is worth going up.
Next, leave your car and walk towards Amanohashidate. Go through the souvenir shops, cross the Kaisen Bridge, and go to the coast. The scenery from there is also superb.
30min
3
道の駅 舟屋の里伊根
Parking MAPCODE：
652 605 549
１３：４５
Next, please head to [Ine], which is famous for its funaya. A 30-minute drive along Route 178 along the coast will get you there. Funaya are unique buildings built along the bay, with the first floor used as a storage space for ships and the second floor used as a living space. In Ine, please visit [Roadside Station Funaya no Sato Ine] first. You can see Ine Bay and the funaya houses from the hill.
5 min
4
伊根湾めぐり遊覧船
Parking MAPCODE：
652 603 078
１４：１５
Next, please head to the boarding point for the [Ine Bay Cruise Ferry]. This excursion boat takes less than 30 minutes to go around Ine Bay, allowing you to enjoy the unique funaya houses and beautiful Ine Bay from the sea.
Official site of Ine bay cruise ferry
100 min
5
Inn in Kinosaki Onsen
Parking MAPCODE：
Please head to the hotel you reserved.
１７：００
In Kinosaki, please make a reservation for a hotel that includes dinner, and enjoy the hot springs at your leisure. Speaking of Kinosaki Onsen, it is the birthplace of Sotoyu Meguri (outdoor hot spring tours). In addition to the hot springs at your hotel, don’t forget to wear a yukata and visit different outdoor baths. Also, at that time, the area around the Otanigawa River and the Taikobashi (stone arch bridge) is particularly attractive and recommended.
If time permits, we recommend visiting Kanabiki Falls (MAPCODE: 197 112 074), one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, before Amanohashidate. It is a beautiful waterfall that boasts an abundant amount of water all year round.
Also, if you are traveling from late April to mid-May, we recommend visiting one of Kansai’s famous wisteria flower spots, Sainokami Wisteria (MAPCODE: 473 173 193).
Driving Map For the Day
The driving map will show additional 10-20 spots for the day! You will travel only to your favorite spots.
Check pin color and MAPCODE usage.
Where to stay in Kinosaki Onsen
On this day, you will stay in Kinosaki Onsen(城崎温泉) which is a top-ranked hot spring in the Kansai region with a long history.
The inns are spread all over the city centering on the Otani River.
- Inn Type
Most of these inns are 3 to 5-star Japanese-style Ryokans with onsen facilities. - Parking
Most inns will offer free parking. - Onsen
Of course, most of the inns have onsen. However, after checking in and having dinner, walking around the public baths in a yukata (casual cotton kimono) while clanging clogs is a unique way of enjoying Kinosaki. - Meal Plan Reservations
There are few restaurants in this area and be sure to make a reservation with a plan that includes dinner and breakfast.