Job Discussion Forums

[rcn]

Got my parents visiting soon and I want to take them for a 1 night onsen trip in the Kansai area. If you have any good advice it would be greatly appreciated!

I live in Yokohama, but will meet them in Osaka.

[PAULH]

The best known onsen in Kansai are the Arima Onsen in Hyogo, over the back of Kobe.

As for English speaking travel agents there are many, but the ones I have dealt with are academy travel in Juso who have English speaking staff (boss is a Canadian I think) and HIS No.1 Travel in Kyoto.

[Gordon]

Check out the Yomiuri Daily newspaper and many editions have a lot of travel agent advertisements there and they will speak English.

[azarashi sushi]

Check out "JARAN" magazine for cheap packages from Tokyo. Most travel agents should speak English.

A.S.

[3rdEye]

rcn,

I suggest you pick yourself up a copy of "Kansai Time Out" (for a charge) or "Kansai Scene" (for free). These are 2 popular English language magazines for Kinki. I think Kansai Scene is available in some shops in Tokyo, though I'm not sure about KTO. Check their web sites as well. Anyways, in either you will find numerous advertisements for various travel agencies with offices in and around Keihanshin. As for which "onsen", there are many types of onsen places and Kinki is also a large diverse region, so it all depends which specific parts you want to visit and what you are looking for...

In addition to Arima in Hyogo Prefecture, there is also the Minoo Onsen in Minoo City in the hills of northern Osaka Prefecture, just a few minutes north of central Osaka. This is conveniently located and there are natural hiking trails and a waterfall in the area as well. Two other popular holiday areas in the country-side are Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture, and Shima in Mie Prefecture. From central Osaka, these are both accessible by direct JR Line (for Wakayama), and direct Kintetsu Line (for Mie). Shirahama is also noted for its natural white sand beach. If you don't mind spending a bit more money, I recommend finding a place with a "rotenburo" or outdoor hot spring. If you go to Shirahama you can find some "rotenburo" with a seaside view for a great atmosphere! Although I think Shima has better seafood! Generally, these above mentioned areas are quite famous, tend to be more upscale, and would require you to spend more money on travel, accomodation and food, although you might save if you take a package deal in the off-season.

If you want a very convenient place that is always affordable and located right in central Osaka, then try "Spa World". It is a large multi-level building that houses numerous onsens on each floor, and an atrium and waterpark complex on the roof. It is novel and distinctly modern. By the way, although its right in the city, the water is from a natural underground spring that was drilled a few years ago. Inside this large complex are various spas with international themes for each spa (Japan, Persia, China, Norway, etc) and I think the whole price is under 2000 yen. Pretty cheap eh?

Enjoy your trip and your dip!

[rcn]

Thanks to everybody for the great advice!!