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The Oriental Stork (konotori) became extinct in Japan due to modern farming practices, which led to a decrease of the storks' prey, such as frogs, fish and other wetland animals. The last bird died near Kinosaki in 1971.

Konotori no Sato Park (ƒRƒEƒmƒgƒŠ‚Ì‹½Œö‰€ , Kōnotori no Sato Kōen) was built to reintroduce the storks to Japan using birds from Russia. The storks themselves are now designated a special protected animal by the government and have become a symbol of the Tajima region around Kinosaki, where even the local airport is named after them (Konotori Tajima Airport).

Located 10 kilometers south of Kinosaki, the Konotori no Sato Park is part museum and part breeding habitat, where visitors can learn about the storks, the breeding program and conservation, as well as see the birds on the sanctuary grounds.

The aims of the program are being realized as local farmers are altering their farming practices to preserve the wetland habitat, and the storks are being successfully reintroduced into the wild. In May 2007, for the first time since 1964, a stork chick hatched in nature. Its parents were born at the sanctuary and released into the wild.

Getting there and around

The Konotori no Sato Park is located roughly 10 kilometers south of Kinosaki Onsen and 4 kilometers east of Toyooka's city center. There is about one bus every 90 minutes from Toyooka Station to the park (15 minutes, 250 yen one way). A taxi ride takes about 10 minutes and costs around 1500-2000 yen.

Toyooka Station can be reached in a 10 minute train ride from Kinosaki Onsen Station. Limited express trains from Kyoto and Osaka to Kinosaki also make a stop at Toyooka Station. The bus ride from Konotori Tajima Airport to Toyooka Station takes 15 minutes.

How to get to and around Kinosaki Onsen

Hours and Fees

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Admission

Hotels around Kinosaki

Top rated in Kinosaki
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    • Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 1-star accommodation, Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only) is set in Toyooka, 2.8 km from Kinumaki Shrine and 4.2 km from Seto Shrine. Featuring a garden, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 4.8 km from North Disaster Earthquake Monument. Kehi Shrine is 5.1 km from the guest house, while Nyoiji Temple is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Tajima Airport, 17 km from Japanese Guesthouse Kinosaki Wakayo (Female Only).
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    • Kinosaki Onsen Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei
      Luxury
      Set in the woods by Mount Kuruhi, Hotel Shogetsutei is 5 minutes from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station on the free shuttle. It features beautiful outdoor hot-spring baths and a spa. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. The air-conditioned rooms at Nishimuraya Hotel Shogetsutei feature nature views. Each has a private bathroom, tea maker and flat-screen TV. Some rooms have tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway Station is 650 metres away, and Kono Yu Hot Spring is about a 10-minute walk. Sister hotel Nishimura Honkan, which has additional free-use hot-spring baths, is 700 metres away. Free-use bicycles are provided. Guests can relax at the hot tub or sauna, enjoy a massage or sing at the karaoke bar. In late summer, the outdoor pool is open. Dinners usually feature wagyu-beef, with crab served instead in the winter. A Japanese-style breakfast is also available at the dining room.
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    • UTSUROI Tsuchiya Annex
      Mid-range
      Offering private natural hot-spring baths, UTSUROI Tsuchiya Annex is 1 km from Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms include futon beds and a flat-screen TV. An onsite cafe is available featuring a gallery for free. Each air-conditioned room at Ryokan Tsuchiya has tatami (woven-straw) flooring. All rooms have a tea maker and an en suite toilet. Bathrooms are shared. Kinosaki Onsen Ropeway Station is just 200 metres away. Kinosaki Museum is a 10-minute walk, and Kinosaki Marine Park is a 15-minute drive. Hot spring baths for private use can be used for free.
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    • Miharaso
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring 2-star accommodation, Miharaso is set in Toyooka, 600 metres from Kinumaki Shrine and 1.4 km from North Disaster Earthquake Monument. The 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. Free private parking is available and the ryokan also offers a shuttle service for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. Guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. The units in Miharaso are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. An ? la carte, continental or American breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Toyooka, like hiking. Kehi Shrine is 1.9 km from Miharaso, while Seto Shrine is 2.8 km away. The nearest airport is Tajima Airport, 20 km from the ryokan.
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    • Morizuya
      Luxury
      Facing the central shopping street of the Kinosaki Onsen hot spring area, Morizuya offers authentic Japanese-style accommodation, hot spring baths and Japanese dining. Guests can wear colourful yukata robes at the property. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Morizuya is a 10-minute drive from Kinosaki Marine World, and a 6-minute walk from Kinosaki Onsen Station. A shuttle service to/from the station is offered. The historical Castle Town Izushi is a 30-minute drive away. Rooms come with futon bedding on tatami (woven mat) flooring and a comfortable seating area. They feature either city or mountain views, and are fitted with an LCD TV, a mini-fridge and a safe. Bathroom facilities are shared and have free toiletries. Guests at Japanese-style hot spring hotel Morizuya can relax in the public indoor and outdoor hot spring bath, including an unique cave-style bath. They can be reserved for private use on weekdays. They can enjoy neighborhood fireworks in Summer. Luggage storage services are offered at the front desk before checking in/after check-out. A Japanese breakfast and a traditional multi-course dinner with local dishes are served in the privacy of the guestroom.
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    • Tsukimotoya Ryokan
      Mid-range
      Located in the Kinosaki Onsen area in Toyooka, Tsukimotoya Ryokan offers a Japanese-style accommodation with free WiFi. Guests can soak in the hot spring bath. Free private parking is available on site. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring, rooms come with a seating area, a fridge and a flat-screen TV. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests, while private toilets are available. You will find a drinks vending machine at the property. Free luggage storage is also available. Kinosaki Marine World is 3.5 km from Tsukimotoya Ryokan.
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    • é艷ò —·ŠÙ ‚‚΂«”T - Kinosaki Onsen Ryokan Tsubakino
      Mid-range
      Set in Toyooka, 2.6 km from Kinumaki Shrine, é艷ò —·ŠÙ ‚‚΂«”T - Kinosaki Onsen Ryokan Tsubakino offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 3-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is situated 4 km from Seto Shrine. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the ryokan. Guests at é艷ò —·ŠÙ ‚‚΂«”T - Kinosaki Onsen Ryokan Tsubakino will be able to enjoy activities in and around Toyooka, like skiing and cycling. North Disaster Earthquake Monument is 4.6 km from the accommodation, while Kehi Shrine is 4.9 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tajima Airport, 17 km from é艷ò —·ŠÙ ‚‚΂«”T - Kinosaki Onsen Ryokan Tsubakino.
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    • Oyado Hayakawa
      Mid-range
      Oyado Hayakawa features indoor hot spring baths, a Japanese garden and Japanese-style rooms with mountain views as well as garden views. Free WiFi and a free-use internet PC are available at the lobby. Rooms have relaxing interior with low furniture on a tatami (woven-straw), traditional futon bedding and a flat-screen TV. Amenities include a fridge, yukata robes and complimentary green tea. All rooms have a private toilet and a washbasin, while guests can enjoy bathing at many of the hot spring baths in Kinosaki Town. The Hayakawa Oyado offers luggage storage, and 1 parking space is available for every room, free of charge. The public hot spring baths are separated per gender, and offer free-use toiletries, lockers and slippers. There are several restaurants, cafes and supermarkets within a 5-minute walk from the property. The property is a 5-minute walk from Kinosaki Onsen Station. Guests can reach Higashiyama Park in 4 minutes on foot and Mihashira Shrine in 15 minutes on foot. Kinosaki Museum is a 6-minute drive from the property. Kounotori Tajima Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
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    • Koyado Enn
      Mid-range
      A 3-minute walk from JR Kinosaki-Onsen Station, Koyado Enn offers hot spring baths for private use, a caf? and a restaurant. Free WiFi is provided, and yukata robes are available at the reception. This is a non-smoking, adults-only ryokan. Modern, comfortable rooms come with a Japanese interior, and offer either traditional futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, or Western beds. They are fitted with a flat-screen TV, a fridge and a personal safe. All rooms have an attached toilet, while bathing facilities are shared. Guests at Koyado Enn can relax in a private hot spring bath. The ryokan offers luggage service and laundry services. A Western breakfast is served at the caf?, and the restaurant offers Tajima beef course dinner. Vegetarian breakfast is available, please inform the property at the time of booking. Ryokan Koyado Enn is a 15-minute drive from each Kinosaki Marine World and the Genbudo cave.
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    • Mikuniya
      Mid-range
      Featuring a Japanese garden, hot-spring baths and a vase gallery, Mikuniya is 250 metres from JR Kinosaki-Onsen Train Station. The Japanese rooms have a DVD player and traditional futon beds. Air-conditioned rooms with tatami (woven-straw) floors and shoji paper screens await guests at Mikuniya Ryokan. Each room has an electric kettle and en suite toilet. Bathrooms are shared. Located in the Shirosaki Onsen area, Mikuniya is a 2-minute walk from Sato-no-yu Outdoor Public Hot Spring. The ryokan is 1 km from Kinosaki Ropeway. Kinosaki Marine World is 4.5 km away. Three private baths are available for use free of charge (No reservation required). Free Wi-Fi are offered. Japanese-style breakfasts and dinners are served.
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