Overview

Step into over 800 years of hospitality at Tocen Goshoboh, the oldest inn in Arima Onsen. Founded in the Kamakura period as “Yuguchiya,” this ryokan has welcomed poets, artists, aristocrats, and travelers for generations. The design blends traditional Japanese architecture with modern touches, creating a space that reflects the deep shadows and soft light celebrated in Japanese aesthetics.

The inn sits in the heart of Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring towns, first mentioned in the Nihon Shoki and Manyoshu. Every corner of Goshoboh holds stories of the past—from handwritten poems by great writers to rooms steeped in history.

Accommodation

Tocen Goshoboh offers a variety of room types, each with a distinct character. Choose based on your needs, whether you’re traveling as a couple, a family, or across generations.

Premium Suite “Shinraku”: These are the inn’s most spacious and luxurious rooms. Each suite includes a private bath with natural Arima Kinsen spring water. Elegant and refined, they’re ideal for multigenerational stays.

Rooms 501 “TOU” and 502 “GU” (up to 5–6 people, ~130㎡)

Deluxe “Tenraku”: These rooms are located in historically significant wings where famous writers once stayed. Expect high ceilings, nostalgic charm, and tranquil views of gardens or streams.

Eight rooms total, including 26 “RAKU”, 27 “KEI”, and 38 “YUU” (53–74㎡)

Superior “Chuyou”: Renovated in 2021, these twin rooms offer a balance of comfort and traditional style. They’re ideal for longer stays or workcations, and they’re close to the main baths.

Rooms 21 “BUN”, 22 “OU”, and 23 “ITSU” (40–45㎡)

Standard “Chikyuu”: Located in the “Suiran Gobou” area, these rooms offer simple elegance and views of the courtyard or garden. Built right after WWII, they preserve the beauty of Japanese modernist design.

Rooms 53 “TAI”, 54 “GAKU”, and 55 “SHOU” (37–39㎡)

Every room includes a traditional interior, soft lighting, handcrafted decor, and the subtle luxury of historic design. From sliding shoji screens to carefully curated furnishings, each room encourages you to slow down and enjoy the quiet.

Dining

Dinner at Tocen Goshoboh features “Yamaka cuisine”—a rustic, refined style developed to serve the emperors and shoguns who once visited Arima. The menu reflects both tradition and innovation, shaped by the land and the chefs who bring it to life.

The meal includes multiple courses such as appetizers, sashimi, grilled and fried items, a main meat dish, and dessert.

Every dish uses seasonal ingredients sourced from Hyogo’s mountains and seas.

Highlights include:

• Fresh fish directly sourced from Akashiura Fishing Port, with exclusive access for Goshoboh’s chef
• Organic rice grown using traditional bokashi compost from Mikata and Kamikawa
• Seasonal tofu made from black soybeans and seaweed harvested from the Suma coast

Enjoy your meal in the “Sanbou Kan” dining room, where the chef prepares Kobe beef steaks on an open grill, or opt for in-room dining for a private experience. Breakfast includes hot tofu, seaweed, and locally sourced side dishes served from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Onsen and Wellness

Tocen Goshoboh offers a rare experience with Arima’s famous “Kinsen”—a natural hot spring rich in iron and salt that turns golden after touching air. This is one of the most mineral-dense hot springs in the world and is said to help with chronic fatigue, skin issues, joint pain, and circulation.

• Bath Name: Kongousen
• Style: Source-fed, non-recirculated Kinsen
• Temperature: 95°C at the source
• Minerals: Iron, sodium, chloride

Hours:

• Overnight stays: 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. (closed midnight – 1:00 a.m. for cleaning)
• Day use: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (closed Mondays)

The bath area includes gender-separated indoor baths and a semi-open-air shared bath with stunning views of the seasons. The clear water turns reddish-brown as it oxidizes, creating a warm, meditative atmosphere.

Guests with Tattoos

Goshoboh allows entry to the baths, but check-in staff may provide guidance based on visibility or guest preferences.

Facilities

The ryokan surrounds you with thoughtful, artistic touches:

• Calligraphy and poetry decorate the walls
• Courtyards and gardens shift with each season
• Lounge spaces invite reading or quiet conversation
• The salon, once a Meiji-era dance hall, now serves as a tranquil retreat
• Exclusive gift shop featuring Goshoboh’s original ceramics and handmade goods

Each building area—Chousen Gobou, Unzan Gobou, and Suiran Gobou—draws inspiration from poems written about Arima and its surroundings. Walk the halls, read the verses, and let the past brush against the present.

Activities

There’s no schedule here. Your time is yours. Spend the morning sipping tea by the window, stroll through the garden, or explore Arima’s narrow streets and hidden temples. Goshoboh helps you experience not just the onsen, but the cultural depth of Arima itself.

If you seek inspiration, let the same streams and trees that moved Japan’s literary giants stir something in you too.

Additional Features

• Dining options include private in-room meals
• Premium rooms feature private Kinsen baths
• Historic architecture blended with modern touches
• Exclusive access to Akashi fishing port for the freshest seafood
• Day-use plans available for hot spring visits
• Carefully curated seasonal menus and locally sourced rice
• Heritage designation for certain rooms and architecture

At Tocen Goshoboh, time moves a little slower. Light, shadow, poetry, and steam all guide you back to a quieter state of mind—one rooted in centuries of tradition.