Spring

With the 270 year old weeping cherry blossom trees of Zenpuku-ji, the red plum trees of Rinkei-ji, and the Someiyoshino (Prunus yedoensis) along the Arima River, flowers bloom throughout the town in springtime. At night the trees are lit-up to offer a fantastic nighttime view as well.

Summer

The Sarasojyu(paired sal trees) , which bloom in the morning and fall in the evening, tells the summer of Arima. Arima has been a place to escape the summer heat since long ago, and still attracts many visitors today. In late July, shops line the balconies along the riverside, and a festival which runs through the whole summer enlivens the season for all visitors.

Events

July

Arima Ryofu Kawazashiki

26th Jul – 25th Aug: Viewing boxes and stages are set up in the Arima River Shinsui park, and stalls, games, performances, and geisha dances can be enjoyed while taking in the summer night.

August

Arima Ryofu Kawazashiki

26th Jul – 25th Aug: Viewing boxes and stages are set up in the Arima River Shinsui park, and stalls, games, performances, and geisha dances can be enjoyed while taking in the summer night.

Arima Summer Festival

4th – 5th: Stalls and games line the main road. Carried out alongside the Arima Ryofu Kawazashiki, the town really comes to life.

Autumn

A drop in temperature as the foliage begins to change colors, signals the start of Arima’s most enchanting season. With famous foliage viewing locations such as Zuihou-ji Park and Rokko Mountains as viewed from the ropeway, the view of the colors of the mountains around Arima is one that is worth witnessing at least once in one’s life.

Events

September

Autumn Festival

29th: A local festival in which the mikoshi (a sacred palanquin) and lion dance parade around from Tousen-jinjya (shrine) throughout the town.

November

Arima Dai-Chakai Tea Ceremony

2nd – 3rd: A tea ceremony in commemoration of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in which the Omote-senke and Ura-senke styles go in alternation and tearooms are set up in 3 locations around town.

Winter

The occasional falling snow of winter is the most enjoyable season of all at the hot springs. Arima sees little precipitation, but the town is sometimes blanketed with beautiful white snow. At the start of the new year there is an important ceremony known as Irizomeshiki. with the mikoshi carried throughout the town to celebrate the start of a new year.

Events

January

Irizomeshiki

2nd: A traditional celebration where you can witness of a procession from Onsen-ji to Arima Elementary School’s cultural auditorium, and geisha dressed as Yuna(Onsen cordinators) stir up the springs. This ceremony has been carried out since the Edo Period, and is a show of gratitude for god and the prosperity of the springs

February

Setsubun-e

2nd: In Arima it is a day of ghosts, and long ago there was a man among the Yuna, so on this day you can see men dressed as Geisha, and in costume, about the town.