Kinosaki Onsen: Bathing in Tradition

Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in western Japan. It has about 80 ryokan inns along a picturesque street that follows the course of a river lined with willow trees and crossed by numerous stone bridges. Many of these inns are three-story wooden structures built some 90 years ago. Around a million tourists visit this town every year to enjoy the baths, the traditional townscape and the old-time retro atmosphere. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, woodblock printmaker David Bull comes to Kinosaki Onsen to soak in the hot spring baths and to dine on the winter-time delicacy, fresh crab. He also discovers a handicraft made with straw. He visits a retro game arcade, and gets to know some of the local people over drinks and karaoke.