Getting to Kinosaki onsen is actually pretty straight forward and it simply takes a train ride from either Kyoto station or Osaka station (which will be the case in the most cases).
I recommend getting on the Limited Express Kinosakionsen that will get you straight to Kinosaki onsen.

You can buy a ticket and reserve your seat through official JR website (you will need to choose KINOSAKI/KONOTORI/HAMAKAZE train with the Kinosakionsen as the arrival station)

📍 Kyoto station > Kinosaki Onsen station (google maps link)

• At the time of making this guide, the earliest train leaves at 11:25 am which allows to not rush at all in Kyoto and have a nice breakfast, check-out from your hotel / airbnb and have an early lunch. You will get to Kinosaki at around 2 pm which is perfect for this itinerary.

• If you would like to arrive a bit earlier then you can take the same route but look for the one where you make a transfer at Fukuchiyama station. Do not hesitate to ask the train station staff for help and directions during your transfer as there will be just 5-7 minutes before the 2nd train leaving.
  

📍 Osaka station > Kinosaki Onsen station (google maps link)

• 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.

Although it is about a 10-minute walk from the main streets of Kinosaki, I believe this is one of the best hotels in terms of value. It offers affordable prices, spacious rooms with stunning views, huge variety of Yukata (wiki) and Geta for you to wear around the town during your stay, a relaxing lounge with complimentary snacks and drinks, and a huge restaurant. Plus, the highlight is the expansive onsen with various baths and saunas.

They also run a regular shuttle bus between the center of Kinosaki and the hotel for those who prefer not to walk.

Important note: This hotel's public onsen allows guests to enter with only small tattoos that can be covered by a patch. If your tattoo is larger, you won't be able to use the onsen facilities.

To summarize, while not directly in the center, this hotel provides excellent value with its comfortable amenities, stunning views, and convenient shuttle service. Just keep the tattoo policy in mind for onsen access.

Satono-Yu Onsen is a great place for a relaxing experience in the ancient mineral waters of Kinosaki. It is one of its seven public onsens and probably my favorite one. By far the largest, it features various baths, including a rotenburo (open-air hot spring) on the upper floor and a sauna.

This onsen has two sections separated for men and women: a Western-style Turkish bath and a Japanese-style bath, regularly rotated between men and women so that everyone can enjoy both sides on different days. Additionally, there is a free footbath available near the entrance.

This onsen is completely tattoo-friendly.

Want to see how busy this onsen is right now? Click HERE

Absolutely delicious seafood restaurant that is often referred to as the premier spot for fresh fish and shellfish with affordable prices in Kinosaki

The restaurant is right above the fish market (the entrance is on the left).

This gift shop has a bit of everything, but the main reason for being listed here is that it has an absolutely huge assortment of cute onsen towels with different prints. In my opinion, it is one of the best souvenirs to bring back from an onsen town.

A pretty simple gift shop that has a section with Ghibli-themed goods that are worth checking out.

A pretty common and fun activity for an onsen town is to buy a couple of eggs and boil them yourself in hot spring water. The shop will provide you with everything you might need, including a timer.

They also serve pretty delicious soft ice cream and other snacks.

A shop that sells locally made goods crafted from wood is the perfect stop to buy a memento of your visit to Kinosaki Onsen or a souvenir for someone else

The tea shop sells an extremely delicious selection of locally produced Tajima tea. If you enjoy tea or know someone who does, and are looking for a great souvenir, definitely pay this shop a visit.

Maruyama Karyo Kinosaki store offers a huge variety of traditional Japanese snack called Karintō. Karinto is a traditional Japanese snack that is popular for its sweet and crunchy texture. It is made by deep-frying or baking a mixture of flour, sugar, and yeast. The dough is often flavored with soy sauce or molasses, giving it a sweet and savory taste.

Karintō is a Perfect souvenir gift.

They also sell what they call "Post-bath" pudding. This pudding is made with local milk, fresh cream, and eggs delivered fresh every morning. The name originates from the Japanese culture of drinking milk after visiting an onsen.

*I highly recommend to try some Karintō first before buying a large pack, as I know that some people do not like it.

One of the seven public onsens in Kinosaki that is worth visiting resembles a kabuki theater from the outside. It is relatively spacious and features both an indoor bath and an open-air one within a cave-like structure.

This onsen is completely tattoo-friendly.

Want to see how busy this onsen is right now? Click HERE

An absolutely delicious sushi restaurant located in Kinosaki Onsen Town. One of the most famous restaurants in the area that has been opened over 60 year ago. The establishment has gained huge recognition for its delicious, mouth-watering Sushi and Sashimi dishes.

My absolute favorite item on the menu is the gorgeous Tajima Beef Nigiri, which was sooo tender and delicious. It might sound weird, but it is one of the best meat dishes I've ever had. I could probably eat 10 pieces of it; that's how good they are. Also, pay attention to the chopstick rests in this restaurant which are shaped like a stork bird (a local celebrity).. You can purchase a pair of these chopstick rests right in the restaurant for 1800 JPY, and I couldn't resist getting a pair myself 🙋‍♀️😅

A small and charming shrine located next to Goshonoyu Onsen. Shisho Shrine, since ancient times, has served as the guardian of both Kinosaki Onsen and its famed hot springs. It's worth a quick stop, especially in the evening when the lanterns offer a warm glow.

Though its temple-like appearance and historical significance (the first onsen in Kinosaki) give it some undeniable charm, this place is unfortunately one of my least favorites. It's very small and gets crowded quickly, making it a less-than-ideal choice unless you're determined to visit all seven Kinosaki onsens.

This onsen is completely tattoo-friendly.

Want to see how busy this onsen is right now? Click HERE