It's nested in beautiful mountain, away from the tourists but you can still walk to the town-center (one street more like it) in 10 mins. When I arrived by bus from Kumamoto, the inn has sent driver to pick me up so I didn't have to drag walk the hills though I only had a small bag:-). The room is spacious and warm, and absolutely love my personal open-air onsen. I soaked in it while watching autumn leaves and listening to birds and river running. I ended up never used the main building's big/outdoor onsens, or other hotels' onsen.|The dinner (at Yumerindo) and breakfast (at Hanadomari) were beyond my expectations. I have been to other onsens in Tokyo, Kyoto and was just at Yufuin two days before this, so I am used to onsen dining, but this place is extraordinary. Not just beautiful presentation, but food is delicious. They used a lot of local ingredients, i.e. Aso milk, Kumamoto pumpkin, local fish..etc. I am a solo traveler with minimum Japanese conversation skills, but the manager and the staffs at hotel made me feel like I am a guest of their family, not just a customer. The manager himself dropped me off at bus stop again...
Read moreIt's nested in beautiful mountain, away from the tourists but you can still walk to the town-center (one street more like it) in 10 mins. When I arrived by bus from Kumamoto, the inn has sent driver to pick me up so I didn't have to drag walk the hills though I only had a small bag:-). The room is spacious and warm, and absolutely love my personal open-air onsen. I soaked in it while watching autumn leaves and listening to birds and river running. I ended up never used the main building's big/outdoor onsens, or other hotels' onsen.|The dinner (at Yumerindo) and breakfast (at Hanadomari) were beyond my expectations. I have been to other onsens in Tokyo, Kyoto and was just at Yufuin two days before this, so I am used to onsen dining, but this place is extraordinary. Not just beautiful presentation, but food is delicious. They used a lot of local ingredients, i.e. Aso milk, Kumamoto pumpkin, local fish..etc. I am a solo traveler with minimum Japanese conversation skills, but the manager and the staffs at hotel made me feel like I am a guest of their family, not just a customer. The manager himself dropped me off at bus stop again...
Read moreThis was one of the most memorable stays we ever had. ||Amazing location, I think it was brand new when we stayed there, spacious room, Japanese style, great wooden hot-spring bathtub, friendly young owners, they will come to pick you up at the bus stop; impeccable Japanese courtesy and service.||Ideal for anyone wanting to experience true Japanese hospitality and hotsprings. I am not sure if they speak much English, but I am sure you can get by. It was not exactly cheap (we spent approx. $ 350 for one night), but absolutely worth it. Despite of the price it seemed very popular (probably other Ryokan are even more expensive!).||Kurokawa Onsen is a very special small hotspring town in the middle of Kyushu Island. It is very renowned in Japan and probably one of the best locations in Kyushu for those who enjoy "Onsen". ||We ate at a yakitori restaurant recommended by the hotel and used the Onsen recommended by them....
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