Hyogo Arima Hot Springs Historical Walking Tour

Walking tour that explores the history of the hot spring beloved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan

Arima Hot Springs is known as one of Japan’s three longest-standing hot springs, and was beloved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi - Japan’s highest achiever, who worked his way up from being a farmer to a kanpaku (senior regent). Take a historical walk through this hot springs while learning about the history and culture of the hot springs from a local tour guide! The guide will take you around the temples, shrines, and gift shops in the hot springs town, with its intricate hills and alleyways. You’ll enjoy lunch in the a temple-turned-tearoom, looking out onto a garden that was beloved by the wife of the now-retired Hideyoshi. Afterwards, you’ll be able to savor the dignified atmosphere of the tearoom while enjoying some matcha green tea. The tour will then take you to the Taiko-no-Yu Museum, where you’ll learn about the relationships Japan’s greats had with hot springs; to a beautiful waterfall; and more. Following this exploration, you’ll be able to enjoy a dance performance by geishas, entertainers who can trace their roots back to yuna - women who assisted the bathers at hot spring resorts. At the end of the tour, you’ll be treated to an ozashiki (geisha entertainment) experience, for a glimpse into Japan’s traditional culture.

Have a local tour guide take you around the shrines, temples, and gift shops of the intricate hot springs town

The town, with its many hills, is difficult to explore efficiently without a tour guide. The guide will also give you a deeper insight into the charms of the Arima Hot Springs - which, as one of Japan’s three longest-standing hot springs, is characterized by its depth of culture and history.

Enjoy lunch and matcha green tea while looking out over the garden beloved by Hideyoshi’s wife, Nene

Have a relaxing lunch in a temple-turned-tearoom, while looking out onto the garden that was beloved by the wife of the now-retired Hideyoshi. Afterwards, savor some matcha green tea while enjoying the dignified atmosphere of the tearoom.

At the end of the tour, get an ozashiki (geisha entertainment) experience at a cafe

After lunch, go around historical temples, shrines, and the Taiko-no-Yu Museum, alongside a guide, then to a beautiful waterfall. Following this exploration, you’ll be able to enjoy a dance performance by geishas, entertainers who can trace their roots back to yuna - women who assisted the bathers at hot spring resorts. At the end of the tour, you’ll be treated to an ozashiki (geisha entertainment) experience, for a glimpse into Japan’s traditional culture.