In 2009, I traveled to Japan and backpacked for one month around Okinawa, Osaka, Kobe, Tokyo and the surrounding cities of each destination. This photo was taken in Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) which is up in the mountains behind Kobe’s famous pasture. To get here from kobe requires a journey up a long windy road passing through a bamboo forest. Then you will find an ancient hot spring town nestled within the hillside. It is a sight of rustic wooden architecture housing shops commonly known for fresh Mochi and natural hot spring bath houses. If Japanese bath houses interest you, it is definitely worth a trip.












