This hot spring water soon became famous throughout the region and the country for its incredible healing powers. Eventually, word reached the emperor of the time. After confirming the authenticity of Kinosaki's onsen, he gave the title of "Guardian Temple of Kinosaki Onsen" to the temple erected by Dochi Shonin for the protection of Kinosaki, its hot springs, and its people.

This temple, called Onsenji Temple, houses a designated national treasure that is only fully displayed once every 33 years for three years at a time. This treasure is called Juichimen Kanzeon Bosatsu, or "11-faced goddess of compassion and mercy". It can currently be seen on display in this temple, a temple almost as old as the onsen town itself, until April 2021. For the 1300th anniversary, various facilities in Kinosaki are offering special events/items, including special ¥1,300 menu items at select restaurants, a stamp rally, and limited edition sake and sweets.

While COVID-19 is keeping folks around the world at home, we would like to bring Kinosaki Onsen to you through this trying time. We will be sending photos and information about our area, this time about the beauty of the countryside and cycling through it. When the time is right to travel again, we'd love for you to come. In the meantime, we will be posting photos and videos, as well as live videos of the area in a new corner called 'Virtual Travel' on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so that you can virtually travel while the world is navigating towards a brighter future.

Kinosaki Onsen and Toyooka City have been preparing to make the return to travel as safe as possible with new guidelines and efforts. We hope to belatedly celebrate our anniversary with everyone soon!

Photos and information provided by visitkinosaki.com.