After surviving the fast-paced crowd walks in train stations and shopping hallways in nearby busy cities, Japan also has these sweet blissful havens surrounded by nature where you can detoxify and chillax 🙂 Case in point…

Kobe is the sixth largest city in Japan but behind its famed Mount Rokko, the historical hot spring town of Arima Onsen offers a tranquil boon to frayed nerves. In the Edo Era, Arima Onsen was the most renowned hot spring. Today, it is one of three prestigious hot springs in Japan offering two options:

Kinsen (金泉, “gold spring”) yellow-brown colored with iron and salt

Ginsen (銀泉, “silver spring”) transparent with radium and carbonate

Easily accessible from Sannomiya station by bus or taxi, Arima Lodge is one of some two hundred (and counting) accommodations in Arima Onsen where you can commune with nature and replenish.

Forest-bathing, apparently… 🌿🍂 is a thing!😍🤗  And Arima Lodge being nestled on the lush back side of Mount Rokko gives you a little sample of it! The Japanese concept called Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) is a therapeutic leisure activity of being in a forest, taking in the fresh air while doing nature walks and is thought to

1. Relieve stress

2. Detoxify the mind and body from an electronically charged environment

3. Lower blood pressure

4. Decrease anxiety, depression, and anger

5. Improved mind clarity and concentration

At its restaurant, The Lodge offers traditional Japanese cuisine options such as Kaiseki or Kobe Beef using fresh local ingredients from Arima and Hyogo area.

I chose the Kobe beef meal which came with starters, accompaniments, and dessert. I wasn’t able to finish my rice because it was so filling.

The meal price also comes with a women’s onsen towel in case you decide to try their onsen bath.

While I ate, Toshiko-san (my Voyagin guide) showed me how to make a German lace and she gave me the handcrafted sweet little doily as a present! Aww heart heart heart!!!

Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!

Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;

Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it;

for the LORD has redeemed Jacob

And in Israel He shows forth His glory. Isaiah 44:23