Hyogo Heritage RouteKinosakionsen

Starting Points

Kyoto

2 hrs 20 min by JR Limited ExpressKinosakionsen

Osaka

A trip along the Hyogo Heritage Route will take travelers fromHimeji to Kinosaki Onsen. Hop on a rent-a-cycle and embark on
an enjoyable tour of these quaint cities! After a relaxing stay at
one of the area’s comfortable inns, hop on a JR train and get off
at any station along the way, as each station offers a variety offun day-trip courses. The Hyogo Heritage Route also offers
convenient access to surrounding destinations including Osakaand Kyoto in the Kansai area or Okayama.

Kyoto

Himeji

Okayama

2 hrs 40 min by JR Limited ExpressKyoto

1 hr 30 min by special rapid services

Osaka

1 hr by special rapid services

Okayama

20 min by Nozomi Shinkansen

For those heading to the Kinosaki area from
Osaka, the Hamakaze is the only regular-service
limited express train that operates on the Bantan
Line. Passengers will be treated to stunning viewsof both the sea and mountains as the train travels
from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan.

Himeji*All travel times are approximate.

Osaka*Recommended courses from individual stations can be found starting on P. 23.

Glide along the tracks aboard thediesel-powered Limited Express Hamakaze

HIMEJIKINOSAKI ONSEN

Enjoying Himeji Castle and the castle-town
atmosphere to the fullest

Relax body and mind in Kinosaki’s hot springs

Boasting Japan’s largest existing castle architecture, Himeji Castle was built in the Keicho era and issaid to have been the most complete castle at the height of Japan’s unique building techniques.
With its massive-yet-beautiful structure and grouped castle towers, the structurally beautiful Himeji
Castle is said to contain every aspect that makes Japanese castles so appealing. The castle is built
atop a spiral-type layout that includes stone walls built by Kanbei Kuroda and features highly
decorative katomado windows. The castle’s main tower offers a panoramic view of the castle town,Himeji, and must have been a familiar site to Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Kanbei Kuroda. The areaaround the castle includes various locations where visitors can enjoy historical and cultural sites
including Koko-en Garden, the Himeji City Museum of Literature (designed by the architect TadaoAndo), and Shoshazan Enkyo-ji Temple—a location made famous by its use in such films as“The Last Samurai”—just a short trip away.

The spa town of Kinosaki lies along the Otani River, a distributary of the Maruyama River. Boasting a history
beginning some 1,300 years ago, Kinosaki Onsen offers visitors a variety of exciting experiences, such as touring
the area’s seven hot springs (public baths) including Otori-no-yu and Mandala-yu. A beloved hot spring destination
for literarians, the city became known throughout Japan as the setting of Naoya Shiga’s “At Cape Kinosaki.”“Matsuba” snow crab,
one of Kinosaki Onsen’s
most famous products

Himeji-jo Castle World Heritage Site and National Treasure
Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful castle is also
known as “Shirasagi-jo” (White Heron Castle) for its completely white
stucco walls and elegant appearance. Following five and a half years ofrestoration work under the Heisei Renovation project, the famous
chalk-white castle reopened to the public in March 2015. This definitely isa must-see sight. Address: 68 Hon-machi, Himeji City |Castle hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (gates close at 5:00 pm) / Summerhours (Apr. 27 – Aug. 31): 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (gates close at 6:00 pm) |Closed: December 29, 30 | Tel.: 079-285-1146 (Himeji-jo Castle
Management Office) | Admission: Adults (18 and over): 1,000 yen;Children (elementary, junior high, and high school students): 300 yen;Groups of 30 or more: 800 yen (adults) / 240 yen (children) |Web: http://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/guide/castle/

View from main tower②“Himeji Kanko Navi Port,” Himeji City Tourist Information Center① Consisting of three “zones”—a welcome zone, an information zone,
and a communication zone—the “Himeji Kanko Navi Port” information
center handles tourism bicycle rentals and wheelchair lending in addition
to providing tourist information and accommodation guidance. Location:
West side of JR Himeji Station’s central concourse | Hours: 9:00 am –7:00 pm | Closed: December 29 and 30, and facility inspection days |Tel.: 079-287-0003“Hime-chari Bicycle Sharing System” Rent-a-Cycle② With lending facilities called “Cycle Stations” established at Himeji
Station and around Himeji Castle, the “Hime-chari” bicycle rental systemallows users to rent or return bicycles at any participating location.
Location: 16 locations throughout Himeji (Visit http://interstreet.jp/himejifor details.) | Tel.: 050-3786-5055 (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)

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②

④Footbaths
Kinosaki Onsen offers free footbaths infive locations. ① In front of Sato no Yu② In front of Kinosaki Literary Museum③ In front of and on the side of Yanagi Yu④ On the side of Ichi no Yu⑤ On the side of “Yakushi Izugen”
Kinosaki Hotspring Tourist Information
Center: 0796-32-3663

Rent-a-cycle
Michelin bicycles areavailable for rent atSOZORO.
Fees are 500 yen for 2 hours
and 200 yen per bicycle forevery additional hour.

③JR West Kinosakionsen Station

Bantan Line entrance inside JR Himeji Station

The Kinosakionsen Station building underwent renovations inNovember 2016. The station’s newly adopted touch panel information
boards (including maps) offer information on various outdoor hot
springs and sightseeing spots in English, Chinese, and Korean inaddition to Japanese. At the station’s souvenir shop, “Tajima/Tango
Goods Shop,” visitors will find various local products and specialties.

① To access trains bound for Kinosaki Onsen, follow the signs inside
Himeji Station to trains bound for Teramae and Wadayama on the Bantan
Line. Travel times to Kinosaki Onsen are 1 hr 40 min on Limited ExpressHamakaze trains and 3 hrs on connecting conventional lines and localservices. ② Trains bound for Teramae and Wadayama on the Bantan Linedepart from platforms 1 and 2. ③ This is the ticket gate for the Bantan
Line. Passengers coming from the Osaka area can put their tickets directly
into the gate. ④ This sign shows directions to the Bantan Line platforms.
Large signs are installed along the platforms to easily direct passengers.

Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Information SOZOROThe SOZORO general tourist information center is located in front of JR Kinosakionsen Station. In addition toinformation on surrounding tourist sights, SOZORO also offers information on buses, various ticket sales, andreservations for optional tours to neighboring tourist attractions. The information center also sells hot
springs-related products, books on special products and hot springs in nearby Toyooka City, and more, including
souvenirs and mementos to remember your trip by. Other services include free-to-use PCs and free Wi-Fi. Staff
capable of foreign language support are also available. Address: 96 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka City |Tel.: 0796-32-0013 (9:00 am – 6:00 pm) | Web: http://kinosaki-info.com/22