Arimahon’onsenkin’noyu

Do you hear the words, «Nishi no Arima, Higashi no Kusatsu», which means «Arima in West, Kusatsu in East». Both places are ones of the oldest and the most famous hot spring resorts.
Arima is located in northern part of Kobe, a little aloof from the bustling place of Kobe. I made a one-​day trip to Arima with my parents by car. We took two public bathhouses, Kin no Yu (Gold hot water) and Gin no Yu (Silver hot water). At first we went to Kin no Yu, here. Admission fee is 650 yen for adult. The entrance, lobby, rest room or reception desk is on the first floor. The bath rooms or closets are on the second floor.
I opened the door of the bath room with beating heart. I was surprised at the sight. The hot water was gold in color according to its name. I have never seen such a rare hot spring before. Was it muddy water??? The rusty-​looking water contained iron and sodium, which had effects such as neuralgia or recovery from fatigue. There were two bathtubs, one of which was very hot! Certainly 41 or 42 degree of Celsius. Additionally I was surprised at elderly women around 90 soaked the hot bath comfortably.
In front of the entrance a public drinking fountain of the hot spring from underground is installed. Of course this water is drinkable and effective in improving appetite. Everyone can drink the water free if he or she doesn’t take the public bathhouse. Adjacent to the bathhouse, a hot spring bath for foot is installed. Of course it can be utilized free. As I took Kin no Yu, I didn’t soak my foot into the bathtub. However I saw some sightseers or local persons enjoy chatting with their foot soaked. It seemed to be a greeting spot for town dwellers.
Note: Closed on the second and fourth Tuesday and New Year’s Day.