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The afternoon sunshine bathes the picturesque town of Kinosaki in golden light.

It's streets aligned with old houses, Japanese style inns, and cozy cafes. The buildings

are grouped close together with thatched roofs and facades decorated with ornate latticework.

Peeking over the rooftops, the surrounding mountains shimmer with the browns, oranges,

and reds of their autumn foliage. Everywhere you look, you can find people wearing traditional

garments and hear the rhythmic clip crop of their wooden shoes against the pavement.

There is no rush here, no noise or traffic, and even though you've just arrived, you can't

help but feel like you've travelled a few hundred years back in time. Along with its

streets, full of old world charm, Kinosaki is blessed with seven natural hot springs.

Scattered all around the city centre, the onsen as the locals call them, were once believed

to be a gift from the gods. For centuries, people have travelled to the onsen to bathe in

the pristine beauty of the springs. Generations ago, the bathing gritual started with a visit

to the nearby temple. People prayed to a guardian god to be allowed to enter the sacred waters

and be healed by them. As a token of their faith, they received a bamboo ladle which served as

their ticket to the now famous bathhouses. These days, you don't need to prove your faith,

or hand in a ladle to go for a relaxing soak. But still, you decide to start your journey

like the ancient Japanese. Respecting tradition is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in another culture,

you think. You'll begin with a visit to the temple and then move on to the springs.

...