Amanohashidate - Kinosaki (Day 5)

This was a very challenging train ride with so many transfers but the destination is worth it.

The ride from Shin-Osaka to Fukuchiyama is covered by the JR Pass, but from there to Amanohashidate, it is not. It is better to buy the Amanohashidate Day Pass as it will also cover the train ride to Toyooka on the way to Kinosaki. The day pass can be bought in the Station Office in Fukuchiyama. Station officers are very kind and helpful, they will help you out. Just show your JR Pass (for exit) and say that you want to buy the Amanohashidate Pass.

From the Station, it is a short walk to the ferry terminal. Due to our limited time, we had to take the ferry to go to the other side. The ferry is covered in the pass as well as the tram going up the view deck. We wanted to take the chair lift down but it is not on operation during winter. The bike rental is also free and we would have biked around if we had enough time. In our opinion, the view from Amanohashidate View Land is better, but because the other side is the free from the pass, we opted for that instead.

Then we took the 1 hour travel to Kinosaki (transfer at Toyooka). It's all covered by the Amanohashidate Pass and JR Pass. There are seven hot springs in Kinosaki. Our three guys tried it, but each one is different onsen. I think it was only for 500 to 800 yen for an hour use, but if you are staying in a ryokan there, the entrance to all the hot springs is free.

Kinosaki have the old town feeling to it. The shops close down early. We also bought a lot of omiyage (pasalubong) there. They also have a Hello Kitty Store but I think it's more expensive than the one in Tokyo. Our train back to Shin-Osaka was at 6:30 pm, and not wanting to be left behind by the train, we were at the station 15 minutes early.

Amanohashidate and Kinosaki is already on my list to visit again. Next time though, I will stay in a ryokan in Kinosaki and stay a whole day in Amanohashidate.