My Summer Visit to Kinosaki Onsen: A Steamy Detective Adventure! ♨️🌸

#summervacay Following in Conan's footsteps, I ventured to Kinosaki Onsen in the peak of summer heat – definitely an unusual choice for hot springs, but worth it! This charming hot spring town is a bit off the beaten path, about a three-hour JR ride from Okayama. Kinosaki boasts seven public bathhouses (Sotoyu). When you check into a local ryokan, you get a portable QR code that grants you free access to all of them. So, armed with my traditional yukata and geta, I strolled from bath to bath, soaking in each one – a truly unique experience! The streets are lined with traditional shops, and I even managed to snag the very last matcha Kitty doll on the entire street! The shop owner, an elderly gentleman, seemed to understand my excitement, telling me I was very lucky. As night fell, the clatter-clatter-clatter of geta (traditional wooden sandals) echoing through the onsen streets was incredibly therapeutic. The next day, I took the cable car (you can also hike!) up the mountain for a panoramic view of the entire hot spring town. At the base of the mountain, there's even a spot where you can try making onsen tamago (hot spring eggs). By the time I left Kinosaki in the afternoon, I felt like a perfectly hard-boiled onsen egg myself! My top recommendation for soaking is Goshono-yu (御所の湯). Its pool is the largest among all the baths, featuring a beautiful outdoor garden, and the temperature was just right. As for the food: Tajima beef is absolutely delicious! Kinosaki Onsen is also right by the Sea of Japan, so for those visiting in autumn or winter, definitely don't miss out on the incredible Matsuba crab! #kinosakionsen #japanonsen #conantown #hotsprings #japaneseculture #tajimabeef