Kinosaki Onsen’s ‘sotoyu meguri’.

I will be visiting Kinosaki Onsen for just 1 night on a thursday before returning to Tokyo. Read that the 7 bath houses are free for hotel guests between check in and check out. My Ryokan's check out time is 1000. Does that mean I can no longer enjoy the free bath after 1000? I was planning to take the 1334 or 1442 train, thus being able to maximise my onsen town experience. If free 'sotoyu meguri' is not possible after 1000 is it worth it to hang around till 1-2pm? Are there many things to see around town aside fr the Rope Way? Or should I catch an earlier train back to Tokyo? I need to reserve the train, that's why I can't just decide on the day itself.

Sotoyu meguri is still possible, you just will have to pay small admission fees to each bath (600 or 800 yen depending on the bath):
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3527.html