There are so many things to say about this wonderful onsen tucked up into the mountains that border Kobe. In a great old Kobe neighborhood accessible by bus or an enjoyable yet long walk from the nearest station, Minatoyama Onsen is a gem. There's no outdoor bath, no jet baths, the design is not too special in anyway, but the water here is the key. The well here which comes out at a refreshing 28 degrees is heated to different temperatures for the 5 baths here. The attraction for me is the extra hot bath that ranges from 44-47 degrees. The regulars here have a trick to make it even hotter by tricking the thermostat in the bath with cold water. You'll typically see a few guys, some of them heavily tattooed, sitting around the hot bath chatting and occasionally even getting in. A foreigner getting into the extra hot bath here will always spark a small conversation. I recommend getting into the super hot bath for a few minutes then quickly entering the cool 28 degree bath. Feeling the heat slowly sucked from your body is absolute bliss.

A few years back you could drink the water here. There use to be special cups and faucets to do so, but it is all blocked off now.
People often ask me what is my favorite onsen and I most often say Minatoyama Onsen. I end up going out of my way to get here at least once a month.

It is hard to update the last visit for this onsen as I go here so often. As you might know it was closed for a few months but re-opened under new owners who have really cleaned up the place. Sadly, no more drinking the spring but there are new free massage chairs and much more parking now. Still the best.

Added a rare photo of it closed during daylight hours.