These pictures are from the last weekend when we went to Arima Onsen 有馬温泉, that is a small town near Kobe Japan famous for its hot springs. Arima Onsen is considered as one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts. Arima Onsen is a small hilly town with narrow alleys. It has two types of hot spring waters which spring up at various sources around town: the Kinsen (“gold water”) is colored brown with iron deposits and is said to be good for skin ailments and muscle pain, while the clear Ginsen (“silver water”) contains radium and carbonate and is said to cure various muscle and joint ailments. We reached the town to find snow there, it was freezing and the roads were slippery. So after having home made ginger ale and home made ginger tea with some Portugueese dessert Cericaia at a cute homely cafe called Douka-tei, we gave up walking around the city. We headed straight to a hot spring or onsen as it is called in Japan. As I am shy going to public bathes I had booked a personal bath for 70 minutes at Arima Grand Hotel. We had a whole bath, a modern and comfy room with personal shower and an outside lounge area. It was a memorable experience sitting in a hot bath while you can touch the snow outside the window and see beautiful snow capped mountains. After the bath we had coffee and cherry soda while still absorbing the beautiful snow outside. After that we headed to the Chinese restaurant Fiore in the hotel for shoronpo, fried rice and chilli beef. After the meal and window shopping in the souvenir shop we asked the hotel to drop us at Arima Onsen station in their charted bus. Although it was a little difficult to get there as we had to change the trains  four times from Osaka..it was still worth going there.

Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Skirt – Zara, 10 $ on Sale, 2014;
Jacket – Zara, 184 $, 2012; also worn here and here;
Boots – Namba Parks, 137 $, 2012; also worn here and here;
Bag- GU, 20 $, 2013; also worn here and here;

Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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Arima Grand Hotel - Arima onsen Kobe Japan

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