Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Kotori
--- The property is not yet rated
Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Kotori is a compact, eight‑room ryokan tucked into Arima Onsen, the historic hot‑spring district of Kobe in Hyōgo prefecture. The property foregrounds seasonal design — each room carries a floral theme that changes with the year — and offers a small garden, a ground‑floor lounge and a calm terrace for quiet moments. Accommodation types include western beds and traditional tatami rooms with futons; the house operates a 24‑hour front desk and complimentary Wi‑Fi to support short stays and regional travel in the Kansai area.
Bathing options define the stay: Kotori supplies access to Arima’s rare Ginsen (silver) spring and features a dedicated open‑air bath in the Mukudori‑no‑ma suite, while private onsen time can be reserved in short, bookable slots to guarantee exclusivity. Guests who prefer larger communal pools or a fuller kaiseki dinner are directed to the nearby sister property where evening meals are served. These arrangements make Kotori a straightforward choice when searching for a ryokan with onsen in Kobe and particularly for travelers seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Hyōgo.
Onsite services are focused and practical: dinner is arranged at the adjacent sister hotel and breakfast is served in Kotori’s lounge; staff can coordinate a short shuttle or meet guests at Arima Onsen Station. Note that most rooms do not include en‑suite toilets (the open‑air suite is an exception), the building has no elevator and the property prefers cash payments, so plan accordingly. The ryokan’s modest scale, attentive service and direct access to onsen facilities suit visitors who want an authentic, unhurried hot‑spring experience.
Highlights of this ryokan
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Kotori
Positive Reviews
Excellent traditional meals
Many guests praised the kaiseki-style dinners and Japanese breakfasts as beautifully presented, varied and of very high quality—often highlighted as a standout part of the stay.
Attentive, friendly staff and good communication
Staff were described as warm, helpful and accommodating (including pre-arrival coordination via Booking), providing shuttle/luggage pickup and assisting with special requests despite limited English.
Private onsen options and access to sister onsen
Guests appreciated included private onsen time and easy access to larger outdoor/public onsens at the neighbouring sister ryokan, giving a range of hot-spring experiences.
Authentic, comfortable Japanese rooms
Traditional tatami rooms with futons were repeatedly described as comfortable, clean and culturally authentic, offering a genuine ryokan experience.
Good value and relaxing atmosphere
Many reviewers felt the all‑inclusive or half‑board packages offered excellent value, noting a cosy, quiet location and overall relaxing stay.
Negative Reviews
Shared bathrooms / no ensuite in many rooms
Numerous guests noted that most rooms do not have private toilets or showers; shared facilities are located in another building or the sister ryokan, which may be inconvenient for some travellers.
Location uphill — arrange shuttle
The ryokan sits uphill from the station; several guests found the walk difficult with luggage or in hot weather and stressed the importance of booking the hotel shuttle or using a taxi.
Cash-only extras and occasional billing/language issues
Some guests reported that drinks/incidentals required cash and experienced difficulties adding charges to room bills, sometimes compounded by language barriers.
Futon comfort and linen concerns
A few reviewers mentioned the futon mattress was thin or not firm enough, and one noted an odour on the duvet cover, suggesting bedding upkeep could be improved.
Limited dietary/meal options for some diets and children
While meals are widely praised, a few guests reported limited options for vegans/vegetarians and noted a lack of dedicated child meal choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kotori is a small ryokan with eight rooms; room capacities vary from 2 up to about 6 people depending on the room type.
Yes — one room features a private open-air Ginsen onsen, and the ryokan offers reserved private 45-minute sessions as well as access to the public Ginsen baths and nearby sister-hotel baths.
A free shuttle service from Arima Onsen Station is available; guests are asked to call the ryokan on arrival to request pickup.
Kotori is easiest reached from Osaka Itami (Itami) by shuttle/bus or a 25–40 minute drive; Kansai International Airport typically requires about 1.5–2.5 hours by a combination of train or airport bus and transfers, so plan your route in advance.
Staff can assist in English to a useful degree and the property provides basic guest information in English; for complex requests, simple Japanese or advance notice is recommended.
Meals are seasonal Japanese dishes served at the sister hotel a short walk away (dinner usually offered around 18:00 or 19:00 and breakfast in the morning); rooms include yukata and standard ryokan amenities for an authentic, relaxed experience.
Kotori sits in Arima Onsen town within easy walking distance of local baths, museums such as the Stamp Museum, and access to Mt. Rokko for hikes and views; the town is a convenient base for Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto day trips.
Standard check-in begins in the afternoon and check-out is in the morning (check your booking for the exact hours for your reservation); the property can be contacted in advance if you expect a late arrival.
The ryokan offers a full-building lease option for larger private groups (typically for about 20–30 people) by prior arrangement, while pets are not permitted on the property.
There is no shop inside Kotori, but vending machines and a lounge are available, and convenience stores and small shops are a short walk from the ryokan in the Arima Onsen area.