Hot Spring Hotels in Minamioguni

Fantastic atmosphere! The hotel is very close to the main attractions in Kurokawa Onsen. The rooms themselves are quite spacious and come with air conditioning (heater). When we realized we didn't have a 100V adapter, the staff quickly found us a charging station with USB output. The hotel has 6 private onsen rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. There's a separate app on the TV to track their availability. In mid-March, there was enough availability for everyone. But if you don't want to wait, you can always go to the shared men's/women's onsen. I really liked that you're not allowed to wear shoes inside the ryokan (the residential area); you have to leave them until check-out and receive slippers to wear around the premises. Oh, and I almost forgot – there's a lady at the front desk who speaks excellent English, big thanks to her for explaining the main rules!

This place is simply gorgeous. The hotel is beautifully designed to give a real zen feeling. The room was spacious enough for a family, the bed was plush (they also had tatami for those interested) and they even offered Kose skincare products in the room. It had big sliding doors that offered its own Japanese garden and quality tea set to brew your own tea in the room. The breakfast was simple but wholesome (not a single fried food in sight) and offering fresh ingredients. The only drawbacks for me was 1) there were no shower in the room, so you had to use the public bathing area and 2) this ryokan is a fair bit away from Kurokawa Onsen so it is an inconvenient if you’re looking to do some onsen-hopping. Having your own car would be ideal. If you have the time, I would highly recommend staying at the Hanashoan to experience some relaxing time.

Choosing Sansuimoku for my first onsen ryokan experience was absolutely the right decision. The unagi don (eel rice bowl) was delicious, and the Japanese-style room felt like it came straight out of an anime. We picked room 303, which had a private onsen, and it was truly amazing, though the room did have a slight sulfur smell. The onsen water at Sansuimoku was fantastic; my skin felt incredibly smooth after soaking. The private onsen in the room was quite hot, so I had to add some cold water to enjoy it. The outdoor women's bath offered a beautiful view, with a waterfall and a babbling brook, creating a very serene atmosphere. The next day, I visited the onsen town, but I still preferred Sansuimoku. I highly recommend it to anyone traveling by car.

The whole experience was fantastic! The inn lives up to its name, surrounded by mountains and forests, with the sound of the river and the aroma of burning longan wood, taking the sensory experience to another level! Every service was incredibly attentive! Unfortunately, I couldn't eat much, but both dinner and breakfast were absolutely delicious! After a hot spring bath, you absolutely must try the Kurokawa milk and coffee milk! It was superb and so enjoyable! The only downside is that it's a bit far from town, but having the shuttle service is really great! I'll definitely visit again if I get the chance, and staying for a few nights would be even more enjoyable!

It was raining when we arrived, so we skipped our planned itinerary and checked into the hotel early. Turns out, it was a smart decision! We got to quietly enjoy the hotel's facilities. The staff saw us parking and immediately came over to help with our luggage; we just handed them the car keys. We were able to go explore before check-in time. When it was time to enter our room, our luggage was already neatly placed inside. The hotel staff were incredibly professional, explaining all the onsen facilities, dinner, and breakfast arrangements. They even had staff who spoke English, so communication was never an issue. On the second day, it was pouring rain, and they still helped us with umbrellas and saw us off to the car. Because of the heavy rain and poor visibility, along with a narrow exit and oncoming traffic, a staff member proactively offered to switch with me and move the car to a more suitable spot. I'm very grateful for that. If I had one piece of feedback, it would be that the food taste might not suit everyone's palate. We ended up having some waste. I hope the hotel can create some dishes that appeal to a broader taste. Oh, and the dessert shop at the hotel entrance has delicious treats and good value for money. Highly recommend!

Pros- spacious villa, quality bedding and large private indoor onsen( see picture 13). We also like the public outdoor onsen in the sister ryokan nearby. There is a little cafe there you can buy drinks and coffee, run by an adorable old couple, very nice and polite. We spent a lot of time there just chilling and listening to the music. Cons- Living room: we were only able to book the western style villa as it’s a little last minute trip. The living room is basic, bland, with sofa, instead or tatami. Our room 512 is next to the car park. Parking lot in front of your main door is not very pleasant. Food : just soso. Nothing extraordinary. See picture. No horse sashimi, the presentation of the steak is really ordinary - disappointing. Perhaps because we had such an amazing meals in the previous ryokan this became a massive letdown. Dinner served in a large public dining room, lack of the privacy and intimacy ther ryokan provide ( we had private dining room in another ryokan 野之花during this trip). I got to see other couples but also feeling like we are being watched. Service- served by young people, not much attentiveness you would expect in traditional ryokan, lack of the warmth and ritual. Reception- 3 star at best. A basic room with uncomfortable chair while you wait to be checked in. We arrived around 2:30pm, and was told that check in can only start at 3pm, and please wait. So we sat at the hard chair and forced to watch the promotional video until 3pm. Conclusion - 3.5 star ryokan, not the most exciting or exclusive villa we have stayed. Maybe it would get better once the trees grow thicker and staff better trained. The sister Ryokan nearby has better feel of environment and feels more established.

The hotel is obe of the biggest in the area. We were fetched by the hotel’s van bexause it was raining. But it is walkable from the bus stop. There is free coffee and snacks in the lobby area. And also free beer in the bar. The onsens are very big and clean. Both public and private ones are super nice and clean. The private onsen did not have towels so make sure to bring your own. Rooms are big and clean with the view of the creek or river. Staffs are nice and approachable

It’s a good private house. But I’m won’t recommend if weather is cold or raining, or if you’re traveling with young kids. I travelled with my family with two toddlers. The bath and onsen are outdoors, not quite well lit and not well covered. The hot water water pressure is low, and the water is either very hot or very cold. It was a cold, raining and windy that night. It was a horrible experience for us because of the above, and the kids had a lot of trouble taking a bath. And we were worried they might catch a cold. And strangely the door lock of the bath is locked from the outside and not from the inside. Also remember to buy food before entering. We bought ours and cooked our own dinner. Otherwise, it’s a good private house, probably best for adults.

I stayed at Yumerindo Hanadomari from the 15th to the 16th, and I had a double room in the annex Hanadomari. After booking, I emailed my questions, and the hotel staff answered each and every one of them with utmost sincerity. Above all, the staff were incredibly friendly. Everyone at the hotel explained everything in detail and went out of their way to provide convenience for Korean tourists. The food was delicious, and I loved both the private hot spring bath in my Hanadomari room and the open-air hot spring bath. I would definitely return, and I'd love to visit the Aso region of Japan again, if only to stay at this hotel.

I had a very relaxing and comfortable stay. The check-in process, with the prior information input and all, was a bit cumbersome, but the instructions were very clear, so I managed the contactless check-in without much difficulty. The accommodation was clean and well-equipped with everything I needed. I especially liked the warm floors, and the private onsen bathtub was the highlight. It was a truly healing experience, surrounded by nature.