Kobe Harbourland Onsen Manyo no Yu

The restaurant's food was good, though pricey. This is probably Kobe's fanciest onsen. The hot bedrock area is mixed-gender, so couples can spend time together there. The bedrock itself seemed kind of comical, more gimmick than anything really different from an ordinary sauna.

It's very close to Kobe JR station, and there are lots of facilities and things to do for the price. I went for a day visit rather than getting a room, and day users have plenty of amenities available. I'd recommend the Thai stretch massage, which felt more like physiotherapy than a massage. The staff were really friendly and helped me find my way around. I did struggle with the signs, though, since I can't read or speak Japanese. English translations would have helped, especially because phones aren't allowed in many areas, so translation apps weren't an option.

There's a lot to explore across the floors, from gaming and Manga to food, a complimentary and very tasty matcha, and a foot bath. The onsen is right beside Kobe station, so it's easy to reach, and you can even stay overnight in one of the rooms. I wanted to try a private onsen room, but both of the two available were booked. They seem popular, so I'd reserve ahead if you know when you want one. I wish I'd had longer here. If I lived locally and wanted to stay in the city, I'd come often. Recommended for people without tattoos.

The night view from the foot bath had such a nice vibe 😌. I loved the refreshing sauna and the spacious rooms, which were a great place to unwind after the onsen. The food was honestly delicious. I'd get the karage and Hoppy beer.