Kinosaki onsen is really compact and you absolutely do not have to rent a car to get around.

All of the 7 public onsens are completely tattoo friendly. It does not matter what size it is, you do not have to cover it with a patch or anything like that.

Beware that NOT all hotels with their own onsen are tattoo friendly, so be sure to check all the information on their website in advance (or send an email and ask about it).

All of the public onsens have at least one day when they are closed, so definitely check it in advance on their website.

You can always check how crowded each onsen is over HERE, so feel free to skip one and come back later as it gets less crowded (since the town is really small it will not take too long to come back).

Length of stay: While this is a 2-day, 1-night itinerary, I highly recommend considering a 3-day, 2-night stay in Kinosaki onsen. It is an exceptionally beautiful and charming town, and the ideal way to enjoy it is to take it easy and explore at a leisurely pace. Visit all the recommended public onsens, discover your favorite, and revisit it on another day. For instance, during my trips to onsen towns, I always go to an onsen at least 2-3 times a day.
I completely understand that some people often aim to visit as many cities in Japan during their trip, so I crafted this itinerary for a balanced experience. However, if you have an extra day to spare, I encourage you to extend your stay to 3 days. Immerse yourself in the Japanese fairy tale of an ancient hot spring town for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. You won't regret it if you prefer a slower pace during your travels.

Most ryokan and hotels in Kinosaki Onsen offer their guests a yukata to wear free of charge during their stay, however I included one yukata rental in the itinerary just in case.