Pink, hot and naked: All those who go to Kinosaki Onsen end up in scalding water, both crustaceans and tourists alike.
Each year, 1 million visitors visit the small onsen (hot spring) village on the Sea of Japan coast, drawn by the therapeutic waters, fresh seafood, cozy inns and easy access from Kansai's major transport hubs. From November to the end of March, freshly caught crabs complete the irresistible lure of a luxurious weekend escape.
Kinosaki's history as a place for relaxation and healing predates even the construction of Kyoto. According to local legend, the area's waters first gained a reputation for their restorative powers back in Emperor Jomei's day (A.D. 593-641) when a stork was seen bathing a wound in the marshy land that is now Kinosaki.