Tocen Goshoboh

Stayed two nights with my elderly parents. Location was perfect — just 1–2 min walk from the bus station, which was a big relief on a rainy day. Arima has lots of hills and stairs, so this ryokan is a good choice if you use a wheelchair or have walking issues. The building itself is a designated cultural property (over 800 years old), so it has real historic value. The check-in process was disappointing. Unlike other ryokans where you’re welcomed with tea and seated while paperwork is done, here there was no real welcome. My parents ended up awkwardly sitting by the entrance while our passports were taken, and explanations were given quickly while walking to the room. It felt unorganized and not very hospitable, especially for the high price. Room (2F) was spacious, and the two massage chairs became my parents’ favorite spot besides the onsen. But the noise level was high — we could hear stomping from the room above and voices next door, and my mom couldn’t sleep. It was not soundproof, which I haven’t experienced in other ryokans. Meals (dinner and breakfast included) had set times. Kaiseki dinner was average in both taste and presentation. Onsen was small but had Kin No Yu (gold spring). Some sites say they also have Gin No Yu (silver spring), but I didn’t see it. Overall: Great location and historic atmosphere, but expensive (visited early October during Korean Chuseok and Chinese holidays) and disappointing in hospitality, food, and comfort. A good experience to try once, but once is enough.

This was our first experience, our first time at an onsen and ryokan. The hot springs were superb. The room was Japanese-style. Dinner and breakfast were also new to us.

The staff are very friendly and one of the lady speaks English very well. The hotel is located next to the bus station to Osaka(Umeda) so it’s extremely convenient and the staff offered a shuttle bus if you need to go to the train station. Our room with 2 beds was a beautiful traditional Japanese room with western bed. The view from our window was lovely. The public bath was very relaxing and the bath was quite empty and spacious, I don’t think there’s a need to book a private bath. There is a very comfortable heated table area next to the reception area, you can wait there before allowed to check in at 3pm. Highly recommend this hotel.

We went for private onsen 1hr experience. We booked via WeChat. Had to get towels and supplies then walked 2 min up to the private onsen. The environment was good with Private shower and sauna room as well. The golden onsen felt good. I think 1 hour is more than enough. This is also a much better bargain compared to staying in the onsen hotels which is very expensive.

Had such an amazing experience at this ryokan! Everything was wonderful - the room, the service, the onsen and the dinner. Highly recommend! There was a brief misunderstanding at check-in, but resolved in no time. The staff is amazing!

Really this place was 100% overrated. The location is really the main factor here. Rooms: the room was spacious. It had alot of amenities even massage chairs. But waking up at 4am in a sweat because the ac kept turning off is not the move. Really I had to continuous try to get the ac to work to even cool the room. It was a mess for a hotel that charged so much. The AC in the area where the massage chairs was at one point blowing hot air. So clearly something was wrong with them. Onsen: although everyone was forced to pay a bathing fee even if they didn't use the onsen. It was still nice. Unfortunately, it is only lightly separated by gender. I mean lightly in that there are some areas that are separated but the main part is only separated by a low partition. This is something they inform you when you check in but apparently even if you decide not to use the onsen you are still charged for it. Dinner: 10000000% overrated. The staff said it was an experience not to be missed. That we would get Kobe Beef. The Kobe Beef was the size of maybe three coins. It was really ridiculous. They charged 15,000 yen per person for a meal that could have been a quarter of the cost. Overall this hotel is not worth it. 10/10 do not recommend. If you have the option to go elsewhere do it and save yourself the money. If you want a hotel close to the bus station than this is for you.

It was an amazing experience! Everything was great! We traveled with a 5 month old baby, and they arranged a baby cot for us (a very good one). The atmosphere is very relaxed and quiet. The staff are superb, a special thanks to Mina, our host that took care of us during the dinner and breakfast and prepared our bed in the night and in the morning. The hot springs are very pleasant and relaxing. The hotel is very clean! The food was very good and let you experience the traditional Japanese cuisine. And, the location is the best in town in my opinion. Could not recommend enough :)

I have to express my sincere gratitude to Ms Hatsumi from the hotel. Thanks to her help, I had a wonderful trip to Rokkōsan. She is definitely a polite, professional, and of course pretty lady. Her communication skills are good especially that she speaks fluent English which would be of great help for someone like me who don't speak any japanese. Although the original local tour was full of bookings , she helped me reserve a taxi and solve my ease of communicating with local taxi drivers.The view and environment is splendid with a great hotel service teams. I would highly recommend to someone who wants to experience a unique accommodation experience. Though the drawbacks , as you might know already , is 1) no private bathroom 2) not sound-proof building materials , but it is understandable given that the hotel is with ancient history

We made our reservation using credit card points and feel so lucky we got to stay here as a part of our honeymoon. Getting here: we started in Kobe and took the Sannomiya station bus straight to Arima (770¥ each). From the Arima station, it's a 5 minute walk up. Super painless to get here! Entering: upon approaching the entrance, you are greeted by staff and they offer to take your bags. You sign in to register. They take you to the side room for tea and a snack. If you chose to have the dinner, they go over the menu with you and your beverage choice. :) Also, they give you a coupon for a free beverage in their lounge/piano room, which was nice. I got a sparkling wine while the hubby got a beer. Room: after tea, an attendant takes you to your room and gives you a mini tour on the way. We got got Tenraku Superior Suite for 2 people. It has a little entry way walk in, the room for your meals/sleeping, and an indoor balcony. There are little stairs that then lead you into another room for relaxing, a massage chair (big win in my book), and the bathroom. There is also a tv. In room stuff: they have English and Japanese instructions for the ryokan and the onsen, plus towels. There's also yukatas set out for you. In the bathroom, you have main toiletries provided. :) Dinner: we did the in-room dinner kaiseki meal at 6:30 pm (the other option was 6:00pm). Everything was well portioned. The meal came out in 5 phases. They serve you each phase, leave the room to give you about 15 minutes to finish that course, and then come back to clear that set and bring the next one. Total, it took about 1.5 hours. Futons: after dinner, they clear your table and prepare your futons for bed. I thought they were super comfy, but the husband begs to differ. Lol! Onsen bath: they provide towels for you in your room to take to the onsen. The onsen is not private, but is shared w the other guests of the ryokan. It has gender-specific bathing/cleansing areas, and then you enter the larger bath, which is separated by gender but is open so you can talk to the other side. :) get low so you ain't exposed. Hahaha. Also, yes this is Nude so don't wear a bathing suit or bring your large towel into the actual bath. FYI ~ my husband has visible tattoos and they didn't make any comment when we came into the ryokan or when we prepared to go into the bath. Breakfast: you have the option of 830 am or 9am. They come 30 min before to clear out your futons and serve orange juice. This meal is brought out in one go. It is a nice lighter kind of meal, but was still a filling amount. :) They have complimentary coffee downstairs in the piano room. Overall: this place has wonderful service and amenities. Also, real talk - there's nothing to do in Arima but rest and relax. Usually when traveling I feel pressured to move fast and get things done, but this place was absolutely wonderful bc you're just forced to enjoy the stillness and be served. So go and treat yourself.

I'm broke. But i was so relaxed I forgot they took all my savings. Jk but at $590 Sunday night, it was a splurge but was it worth it? YES. I just had to try an Onsen in Japan and since I was in Kyoto, this was the best one we saw that was also accessible with our Japan Rail Pass (Kobe) and we also got to go to Kobe. Arimaonsen is full of hotels with onsens but Goshoboh had great reviews (TripAdvisor) so we chose it. Got here after arriving at Shin-Kobe and two more trains. The area welcomes you with a clean crisp air and the smell of their famous thin crackers made to order. Walk 5 minutes and you will find it, do you need to call the shuttle? Nah. From the welcoming (and they spoke enough English) to the last minute we were there, it was great. Attentiveness, the food, the ryokan, the golden onsen. You will leave here missing them already and feeling fulfilled somehow. Not a crowded place, it has only 20 rooms. -The Ryokan suite was old but well taken care of. It came with two massage chairs and more things we did not need like a desk, sofas, humidifier... -The dinner and the breakfast we OUT OF THIS WORLD. Worth at least $200, we were fed well and not only that but just the visual food/dish placement on the table were such an experience! It was like a 100 course meal. We had both meals in our ryokan/room and it was great. Calm, private, relaxing. -The Onsen was excellent too. The murky golden water is full of copper and with an extremely high salt content. Once you dip and get out, you will feel like Gumby. I know I did. -Also, they have a private hot spring which you can book for an hour. It is a must! Definitely worth the time/trip/money.

Arima onsen is historically one of the first onsen to be nationally known, after Toyotomi Hideyoshi visited. It is located in the mountains north of Kobe and reachable by train. They have two types of spring water. Murky one is called "gold" onsen and clear one is called "silver" onsen. It is said silver water is slightly radioactive. Our ryokan has both. We arrived in late afternoon by car from Itami area. Immediately we went to the onsen. Then a traditional dinner is served in the room. After dinner, we soaked again. It made sleeping very relaxing. In the morning, after breakfast, we walked around this small mountainside town. Came back for another soaking before departing hotel.

Tocen Goshobou (陶泉-御所坊) is a very historical Ryokan ran by the 15th generation of the first owner. Lots of famous Japanese artists stayed in here before, and there were masterpiece completed in the very same establishment from previous times. The town Arima is famous for its Onsen and this Ryokan is famous for 金泉(gold Onsen) which is especially good for guys. Stayed for 2 nights for our honeymoon trip in Japan as a stop in Kansai area. SERVICE WAS THE BEST!!! We arrived in the afternoon about 4PM and was offered hot tea and snacks right away. Every server/waiter/waitress will bow and greet you upon arrival, and kneel down Japanese way when trying to talk to you. We had Kaiseki breakfast & dinner everyday, with lots of fresh vegetables, fish and Tajima beef, all themed towards the autumn, served in our Japanese style Tatami room. There is a 24-hour public outdoor Onsen in the Ryokan and some very low stones separate guys from girls. For the time that we were there we went 3 times and there was nobody except for us - so we could talk over the fence and saw each other, almost like a private outdoor Onsen. If you do want more intimate private Onsen they have 貸切風呂 (private Onsen) about 2 minute walk away from the hotel, but it's indoor and cost about 3500 Yen for 1 hour. We tried it out as well but prefer the public & free one. XD Arima itself sits in a very relaxing geographical location with 2 mountains (Mt Rokko and Mt Maya) surrounding it. There were lots of tiny shops in the small town where you can get Souvenirs and famous Arima pancakes. For the 2nd day we went to Mt Rokko for some sightseeing. We had a Chauffeur driving us to and from Ropeway station to Mt Rokko. Loved everything during our entire stay and would definitely come back again for our anniversary.

A traditional Japanese hotel. The building is old and complicated but nostalgic and great. We enjoyed the maze-like(?) structure. This time we only took a bath during the lunch time (11am-2pm) \1695. There were a usual inside bath tub with a great mountain view as well as the cave-like entrance to the outside bath whose water is gold. As the bath tubs are on the 2nd floor, the view especially from the outside tub was great.

Excellent place for a traditional Japanese immersive experience. From the staff to the rooms to the food this place screams traditional and amazing. Very different from anything I have experienced in the past but well worth it. The Onsen was definitely a plus. The local area is also quite nice. And everyone is friendly and wanting to go out of their way to make you happy. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a little escape.

This is a traditional onsen with awesome traditional food. it's is a historic onsen as ia been around for a long time. the staff was awesome and it made me feel like i was part of history while staying there. I will be back in the future.