At a different pace than in Kyoto, we spent two night in Kinosaki Onsen, walking around in our yukata (robe) and geta (wooden sandals) to soak in the six available public onsens (and the onsen at our lodging, Yamamotoya Ryokan).
Photos, of course, are not allowed in an onsen. Men and women bathe separately, and each of the six onsens has its own ambience.
The process is similar regardless of the establishment.
1) Remove shoes
2) Walk into the dressing room
3) Remove clothes and put in a small locker
4) Shower – everyone must be thoroughly clean when entering the water
5) Bathe – many women keep a small towel folded on the top of their head to keep the towel dry
6) Dry off – using the small towel
7) Get dressed
In addition to the onsens, we rode the Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway to the top of Mount Daishi. On the way down, we stopped midway to quickly visit Onsen-ji Temple, where a monk added a goshuin to our books (more on these later!).
Kyoto Station
Otani River at night
Breakfast at our ryokan
Otani River during the day
Yukata and geta
Mount Daishi: Stone Buddhist figure
Mount Daishi: Stone inscription
Ropeway station
Buddhist guardian: The facial expression!
Walking down the street, wearing yukata and geta
