Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 327 reviews
Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan sits within the Gekkoen group in Arima Onsen, framed by the Rokko Mountains in Hyōgo prefecture. The property comprises two wings — Korokan, a modern eight‑storey building offering contemporary comforts, and the adjoining Yugetsusanso, a traditionally styled riverside inn — together presenting omotenashi hospitality. A short walk from Arima’s centre and reachable in an hour from Osaka or Kyoto, it serves as a convenient base for visitors seeking a ryokan with onsen in Kobe.
The onsen facilities include several communal indoor and outdoor baths with mountain or riverside outlooks, a red‑spring riverside bath area at Yugetsusanso, and three types of private baths that can be reserved or are attached to select rooms. Onsite spa treatments, a sauna and multiple bathing spaces are arranged to showcase Arima’s mineral waters; guest accommodation ranges from tatami rooms with futon to Western‑bed layouts, some of which feature their own open‑air bathing terraces, making this a ryokan with private onsen in Hyōgo for travellers seeking bathing privacy.
Meals emphasise seasonal kaiseki courses prepared from local ingredients and are served either in‑room or in the dining room depending on the booking. Additional guest facilities comprise a tearoom, karaoke and a bar, plus a souvenir corner and shuttle service to the station; the property offers massage and relaxation treatments. With a mix of traditional atmosphere, varied bathing options and easy access to town, the ryokan supports both short scenic stays and longer explorations of Hyōgo prefecture, including easy local sightseeing around the Rokko range.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen variety and outdoor baths
Multiple onsen areas (indoor, outdoor, cave) with natural spring water and pleasant forest views; long opening hours and options to use sister-hotel baths or reserve private baths for a varied bathing experience.
Friendly, attentive staff and service
Staff and room hostesses are repeatedly described as warm, helpful and professional—assisting with explanations, luggage, taxis and special requests, often going the extra mile to ensure a smooth stay.
High-quality meals and room service
Dinner and breakfast were praised as delicious and beautifully presented; many guests enjoyed in-room meals served with ceremony and highlighted the varied, high-quality food.
Clean, comfortable rooms with good amenities
Rooms are generally clean and comfortable, sometimes spacious with tatami and private spa tubs; the hotel supplies nice toiletries and skincare items, and offers spa and massage options.
Convenient location and transport options
Within walking distance of the Hankyu bus station and town centre; hotel offers shuttle/pickup service which helps with the uphill approach, and provides transport to nearby attractions like the Ropeway.
Negative Reviews
Poor or unreliable WiFi
Some guests reported little or no functional WiFi during their stay, which affected connectivity for phone users.
Building condition, renovations and worn areas
Guests noted visible scaffolding during renovations and areas of the building (especially the river-facing side) that appear old or deteriorated, detracting from some room views and overall appearance.
Small bathrooms and limited in-room amenities
Bathrooms and toilets can be quite small (typical of room size) and solo travelers reported a lack of bedside power sockets, which is inconvenient for charging devices.
Outdated equipment and occasional noise
Some rooms have older air-conditioning units that are hard to adjust, and a few guests mentioned a vibrating pump under tubs that can be noisy; there is also no automatic power cut-off when leaving rooms.
Extra costs, dining logistics and limited English in places
Set dinner packages can be pricey (one guest cited ~20,000 yen) and some private tubs use hot water rather than onsen water; additionally, parts of the property and onsen signage/staff may have limited English and the hotel is a bit out of the way without using the shuttle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types range from single and twin rooms to traditional Japanese rooms with up to five futon beds; some larger family-style rooms can sleep six or more depending on the room selected. Check the specific room description when booking to confirm exact capacity.
The property offers multiple hot-spring facilities including indoor baths, open-air baths and public onsen areas (the property advertises nine different baths), plus a sauna and spa services. Bath access and hours may vary by facility.
Private/family baths are available at this ryokan and can be reserved for groups for an additional fee; availability and reservation procedures should be confirmed with the property in advance. Guest reviews note that private baths are offered and can be booked.
The ryokan operates a small shuttle service between the nearby Arima bus/train area and the property; shuttle schedules and pickup points should be requested in advance. The hotel’s location is also within about a 10-minute walk from the Arima Onsen bus terminal/station.
From Kansai International Airport take an express or limousine bus to Arima Onsen Bus Terminal (about 70 minutes), or from Osaka Itami airport use the Sannomiya/express bus (around 40 minutes), then walk roughly 10 minutes or use the hotel shuttle. There are also express-bus connections from Shin-Osaka and Shin-Kobe.
The property provides English-language information on its website and many guests report helpful English-speaking staff who explain meals and onsen procedures. For complex requests it’s advisable to contact the ryokan before arrival.
The ryokan serves seasonal multi-course Japanese (kaiseki) meals; depending on room type dinners are served in-room or in the dining room, and the on-site restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Special dietary requests should be communicated to the property ahead of time.
Arima Onsen town center is within walking distance and highlights include the Rokko Arima Ropeway and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden (a few kilometres away), plus sightseeing in central Kobe and Sannomiya reachable by car or bus. The ryokan is a convenient base for exploring the Rokko Mountains and local hot-spring sights.
Standard check-in is from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and check-out is until 12:00 PM. If you expect to arrive outside those hours notify the property in advance to confirm their policy.
There are convenience stores, souvenir shops and local food stalls within a short walk of the ryokan in Arima Onsen town. Pet policies vary at ryokans; please contact the property directly to confirm whether pets are accepted.