Iconia Hospitality announced that it will open a new ryokan, “Arima Onsen Waraya Nisen” (1455-1 Arima-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture), this winter. The property takes over the long-established “Motoyu Kozenkaku,” which closed in June 2025 due to aging facilities, and has been renovated to meet modern guest needs. It will open with completely revamped services and cuisine.
The resort features a total of 61 guest rooms—50 traditional Japanese-style rooms and 11 Japanese-Western-style rooms—as well as 11 “Pet-Friendly Villas” where guests can stay with their dogs. In the large public baths, guests can enjoy “Kinsen”—Arima’s signature hot spring water, rich in iron and salt, which warms the body to the core—in rock baths fed directly from the source. The grounds feature a garden where guests can enjoy the changing scenery of the four seasons, and the facility is scheduled to include a lounge, a pool, and a gift shop.
The property features a total of three restaurants: a main dining room serving Japanese cuisine that showcases ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture; “Teppanyaki & Nikukappo,” which serves meat dishes at the counter; and a restaurant where guests can dine with their dogs. Furthermore, the interior design is based on the concept of “blending elegance and simplicity with a touch of humor and playfulness,” offering a new charm to Arima.
Details regarding the opening date, when reservations will open, and accommodation plans will be announced in due course, depending on the status of preparations.
© Source travel watch