This site uses affiliate links; we may earn a commission on bookings.
Arima Onsen Gekkoen Korokan
forumWhat families say
Rakuten Travel rating 4.51 out of 5 (1,665 reviews). Guests praise the baths for their size, water temperature and variety, and note that together with the sister ryokan they can enjoy three bathing locations. Some families say fireflies can be seen from the bridge connecting the buildings at certain times of year, making the trip memorable. On the other hand, some reviews mention that drinks at dinner are on the expensive side and that there is no local beer on the menu.
Categories
Kids Facilities
Communal baths Kinpa-no-Yu and Ginpa-no-Yu (kinsen)
Communal baths Kinpa-no-Yu and Ginpa-no-Yu (kinsen)
Enjoy the ryokan's own kinsen - Arima's red sodium chloride spring water - in communal baths that each have an indoor bath, an open-air bath and a sauna. The open-air bath opens onto a spectacular view of Mount Ochibayama and the valley. Together with the sister ryokan Yugetsu Sanso, guests can make an indoor circuit of 9 baths.
- •Bathing hours at Korokan are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to midnight. Children under 7 may use the communal baths regardless of gender.
- •A baby bed is provided in the women's communal bath Ginpa-no-Yu. The floor is slippery, so please take care with children.
Private-hire baths (cypress, cave and wine)
Private-hire baths (cypress, cave and wine)
Three private-hire baths, each with its own theme, can be used by your family alone. The cypress bath (for 1 to 8 people) is barrier-free, the cave bath (for 5) is semi-open-air, and the wine bath (for 8) is a spacious bath built with sandstone. None of them use onsen water.
- •2,200 yen for a 40-minute session, reserved on a first-come basis. Sessions start at half past each hour, with the last at 10:30 p.m.
- •The wine bath uses an alcohol-free bath additive, so children can bathe there too.
Meals for babies and children
Meals for babies and children
Dinner and breakfast are mainly kaiseki courses served in your room. For children, there is a simplified version of the adult kaiseki course, as well as a kids'-meal-style tiered box with Hamburg steak, crab cream croquettes and Kobe beef kuwayaki. Staff will also warm baby food.
- •Please ask a staff member to warm baby food.
- •For allergies, ingredients in the main dish of the half-buffet can be changed as far as possible if you discuss it in advance; because everything comes from the same kitchen, complete accommodation is not possible.
Overview
Gekkoen Korokan is a motoyu (original-source) ryokan set on the hillside of Arima Onsen. Its communal baths look out over Mount Ochibayama and the Takigawa valley, and you can enjoy the ryokan's own kinsen - Arima's red sodium chloride spring water - in the indoor bath, the open-air bath and the sauna. Together with the adjoining sister ryokan Yugetsu Sanso, guests can make a circuit of 9 baths. Dinner and breakfast are both kaiseki courses served mainly as in-room dining, and with tiered meal boxes for children and staff who will warm baby food, it is an Arima ryokan that welcomes families.
Gekkoen Korokan is one of the few motoyu (original-source) ryokan in Arima Onsen with its own spring source on the grounds. It stands on the hillside above the hot spring town, about a 10-15 minute walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway, and takes pride in a setting that looks out over Mount Ochibayama and the beautiful Takigawa valley. It is connected indoors to the sister ryokan Yugetsu Sanso right next door, so guests can make a circuit of 9 baths in total.
Baths and Onsen
Onsen (kinsen, the red spring water) Korokan's communal baths, Kinpa-no-Yu and Ginpa-no-Yu, each have an indoor bath, an open-air bath and a sauna. The water is 100 percent pure sodium chloride spring water from the ryokan's own source - the red kinsen that Arima is known for. Also called Kodakara-no-Yu, it is said to be good for chronic dermatitis, sensitivity to cold and joint pain. Bathing hours at Korokan are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to midnight. A baby bed is provided in the women's communal bath Ginpa-no-Yu, and children under 7 may use the communal baths regardless of gender, so it is an easy place to bathe even with a baby.
Baths and Onsen
Private-hire baths There are three private-hire baths: a cypress bath (for 1 to 8 people), a cave bath (for 5) and a wine bath (for 8). They cost 2,200 yen for a 40-minute session and are reserved on a first-come basis. None of them use onsen water, but the wine bath uses an alcohol-free bath additive, so children can get in as well. The cypress bath is barrier-free, and a wheelchair can be taken right up to the edge of the tub.
Dining
Guest rooms and meals Guest rooms are mainly Japanese-style tatami rooms, and some come with an open-air bath using a Shigaraki-ware ceramic tub (in-room baths do not use onsen water). Dinner and breakfast are normally kaiseki courses served as in-room dining, which is popular with older guests and with families who want to take their time. For children, there is a simplified version of the adult kaiseki course, as well as a kids'-meal-style tiered box with Hamburg steak, crab cream croquettes and Kobe beef kuwayaki. Staff will also warm baby food. For allergies, ingredients in the main dish of the half-buffet can be changed as far as possible if you discuss it in advance; because everything comes from the same kitchen, complete accommodation is not possible. Humidifiers and air purifiers are also available to borrow.
Other
Access and parking About 10 minutes from Nishinomiya-kita IC on the Chugoku Expressway heading toward Arima Onsen, and about a 10-15 minute walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway or from the Arima Onsen bus stop. A free shuttle from Arima Onsen Station and the bus stop runs as needed every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; please contact the ryokan when you arrive. Parking for about 40 cars is free, with one car per room and no reservation required. Checkout is at noon.
Access & Information
| location_onAddress | 318 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1401 |
|---|---|
| directions_carAccess | About a 10-15 minute walk from Arima Onsen Station on the Kobe Electric Railway or from the Arima Onsen bus stop. A free shuttle runs every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; contact the ryokan when you arrive. About 10 minutes from Nishinomiya-kita IC on the Chugoku Expressway heading toward Arima Onsen. |
| trainNearest station | Arima Onsen Station |
| local_parkingParking | Free parking for about 40 cars. No reservation is required, and it is generally one car per room. |
| callPhone | +81-78-903-2255 |
| paymentsCards | VISA, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UC, DC, NICOS, OMC, Bank Card, UFJ Card, Mastercard, Saison, JACCS, CF, LIFE, ORICO, JTB, Takashimaya |
| languageOfficial site | https://kouroukan.com/open_in_new |
Reference price as of August 28, 2026 (stay date 2026-09-19). Please check the booking site for actual rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we bring baby food, and will staff warm it up?
expand_more
The ryokan will warm baby food for you - just ask any staff member and they will take care of it.
Can our child use the communal bath with us?
expand_more
Children under 7 may use the communal baths regardless of gender. There are also private-hire baths that your family can use on your own.
Are there meals for children?
expand_more
There is a kids'-meal-style tiered box for 4,400 yen, as well as a children's udon set for 1,320 yen and omurice (an omelet over seasoned rice) for 1,100 yen.
How are children's rates calculated?
expand_more
For children aged 12 and under, the rate is 70 percent of the adult rate if they have a meal equivalent to the adult meal, and 50 percent if they have a children's meal. Children aged 2 and under stay free of charge.
Is there a private-hire bath our family can use on our own?
expand_more
Yes. There are private-hire baths where your family can take a relaxed soak on your own. The cypress bath is also barrier-free.
Related hotels
Family-friendly hotels in Arima Onsen
Hotels with In-Room Dining in Arima Onsen
Find other hotels
Find other hotels
Information on this page was compiled by directly consulting Official website, Rakuten Travel, Ikyu.com (a Japanese booking site), Jalan (last verified: August 2026). Prices, availability and seasonal operations change — please check each booking site for the latest information.
We take care to keep information accurate, but always confirm the latest details on the hotel's official site and booking sites before you book or visit.