Kurama Hot Spring (with kids)

Lovely little Onsen hotel in the hills above Kyoto. You can take a train there but we took at taxi from Kyoto station and it was about $40 USD. If you decide to take the train you can catch the shuttle that runs every 15 min from Kurama station or you can take the bus right to the Onsen, just make sure you have $200yen in cash for the bus as it doesn’t take IC cards. You’ll surrender your shoes ...

Went for the onsen - they are tattoo friendly. The ladies outdoor onsen was lovely, with pink flowers and overlooking mountains. The indoor facilities were average. You will need a 1000c coin (refundable) for use of lockers at the outdoor onsen. No phones or photos allowed for privacy reasons, but for timekeeping purposes there is a clock on the wall.

I went to the onsen for a day trip. The outdoor bath was incredible! Nestled among bamboo and Japanese maples, it was so serene and peaceful. The cold plunge was a wonderful contrast to the hot bath in the summer. I also enjoyed the powerful massage chairs inside the reception area. Tattoos are permitted.

Our stay at Kurama Onsen was phenomenal, and an amazing traditional Japanese experience. Our first night we were welcomed into a beautiful room, and served dinner fairly quickly. It was a 6 course incredible dinner including appetizers, sashimi, steak, wild boar hot pot, and dessert. The outdoor onsen experience is fantastic and the views are so beautiful. We even got some rain the night we staye...

Karuma Hot Spring was a highlight of our recent trip to Japan. We went first thing on a weekday morning and had the outdoor pools to ourselves. The facilities were great: just a little bit rustic but clean. The water temperature was perfect for an extended soak. We only interacted a little with the staff but they were friendly and helpful. They also spoke English. We walked from the train statio...