J Dee's Days: February 2011

ARIMA ONSEN

"The hot springs of Arima date back to ancient times when Ohnamuchi-no-mikoto and Sukunahikona-no-mikoto found steam venting out of the ground in a mountain ravine near Arima. Later on during the 18th century, the Arima hot springs became well-known when the famous priest Gyoki built the Onsen-ji temple. Another priest named Ninsai opened twelve temple lodges in the 12th century. Arima is the oldest Hot Spring area and has several srpings." Arima onsen Tourist Association.

Onsen-ji Temple

Hot meals machine

The streets of Arima were small and quaint. Everyone has access to a small footbath. It was free and we spent some time with the locals.

My lonely sock

Our Ryokan: Miyuki-so Hanabusubi

Garden just outside the lobby of our Ryokan

Our Room

We stayed in a traditional Japanese style hotel. We booked a Bodaiju Room (12 tatami mat/18.5m2 deluxe suite). It was expensive BUT it was worth it! We even included the infamous Kobe beef with the package.

They provide Yukatas for us to lounge around in.

After all the traveling and a dip in the hot spring. We were ready for dinner...it was quite the feast.

Kobe Beef

The Massacre

Shortly after dinner, staff came in and set up our futons. Sleepy time! But we went back to the hot spring one more time.

This is the outside hotspring on the woman's side. The water is called "Kinsen" or "gold water" It looks brown and dirty but it was okay. It reminded me of sea water.

Kinsen(Strongly basic ferruginous sodium chloride spring of a high temperature)
1	This is effective for excessive sensitivity to colds, back problems, muscle & cramps; joint pain, distal hematogenous disorder, etc.
	This spring water keeps the skin moisturized because its salt makes a thin film over the skin. In addition, it contains plenty of meta-silicate which makes the skin milder and keeps the body warm for a longer time.
2	This is effective for infectious skin infections and chronic eczema.
	It has an antiseptic property.
3	This is effective for every kind of allergic skin affection, chronic eczema, hives, wounds, and burns.
	This contains plenty of calcium ions.
	～Ailments relieved by this spring water～
	Inflammatory or non-inflammatory rheumatism, external wounds, rehabilitation after an operation, chronic adnexitis, functional infertility, disorder of the autonomic nervous system, psoriasis, etc.
	(http://www.arima-onsen.com/eng/spa.html)

Breakfast

KOBE

Really cool advertisements!

THE SAKE BREWERIES OF NADA

Hakutsuru Brewery and Museum

Taste testing!

Kobe Shu-shin-kan Brewery

Taste testing here was SO MUCH FUN! our guide was very helpful and spoke really good English! It was the best sake I've ever tasted. All of their sake is made by hand. It's amazing.

Fukuju Sake