Ryokan Yunosako — Hotel in Minamioguni

My wife and I were looking for a ryokan over New Year's weekend and had a very difficult time finding availability even though we began our search almost a year ahead of time. We were able to find this place on Booking.com, and overall it was a good stay. We had taken the bus from Fukuoka, and the last stop before Kurokawa Onsen actually drops you right at the ryokan. We didn't know this, so from the final bus stop, we walked into town to the tourist office. They called the ryokan and the owner came and picked us up.||||The room was larger than I expected (we booked a superior room), and there was the sleeping area, eating area, plus a small private onsen for our room. Unfortunately there was no real comfortable sitting area in our room to relax. Even though it was the middle of winter, we felt the room was warm enough (contrary to some other reviews).||||The location of the ryokan was a bit far from town. This meant either getting a taxi (which was not easy), or the owner had to drive us in. This really wasn't convenient or practical for either of us. In nice weather, you could probably walk it in half an hour, but not ideal in the winter.||||The food was fantastic. While it was very seafood-heavy, both the breakfasts and dinners provided were extravagant and impressive. We could barely finish what they gave us!||||Communication was a challenge during the stay. The owners spoke limited English, and my low-level Japanese didn't get us very far. We made it work more or less (and there was a very helpful Chinese staff member who spoke some English), but it was difficult at times. ||||The accommodations weren't cheap, and having seen some of the other ryokans in town (for similar prices), we'd probably have preferred one of those. It wasn't a bad stay, and if you have a car and speak Japanese, it could be a great stay. Just keep those items in...

My wife and I were looking for a ryokan over New Year's weekend and had a very difficult time finding availability even though we began our search almost a year ahead of time. We were able to find this place on Booking.com, and overall it was a good stay. We had taken the bus from Fukuoka, and the last stop before Kurokawa Onsen actually drops you right at the ryokan. We didn't know this, so from the final bus stop, we walked into town to the tourist office. They called the ryokan and the owner came and picked us up.||||The room was larger than I expected (we booked a superior room), and there was the sleeping area, eating area, plus a small private onsen for our room. Unfortunately there was no real comfortable sitting area in our room to relax. Even though it was the middle of winter, we felt the room was warm enough (contrary to some other reviews).||||The location of the ryokan was a bit far from town. This meant either getting a taxi (which was not easy), or the owner had to drive us in. This really wasn't convenient or practical for either of us. In nice weather, you could probably walk it in half an hour, but not ideal in the winter.||||The food was fantastic. While it was very seafood-heavy, both the breakfasts and dinners provided were extravagant and impressive. We could barely finish what they gave us!||||Communication was a challenge during the stay. The owners spoke limited English, and my low-level Japanese didn't get us very far. We made it work more or less (and there was a very helpful Chinese staff member who spoke some English), but it was difficult at times. ||||The accommodations weren't cheap, and having seen some of the other ryokans in town (for similar prices), we'd probably have preferred one of those. It wasn't a bad stay, and if you have a car and speak Japanese, it could be a great stay. Just keep those items in...

We stayed for two nights and three days in Yokono room on the second floor. The town, the hotel, the area are very quiet. If you want a peaceful place, this is it. Three private onsen are available from 7am-10/11pm, and there is also one big public onsen for each gender all day long. Great dinner and breakfast as well. In the room right across from the reception, there is the rest area. There, you can read Japanese comic books and use the massage chair. The location is a bit tricky and nothing much is around the ryokan. One convenient store is 10 min away by foot and one small cafe is 500m away. If you rent a car, easy to go to Kurokawa Onsen and Yufuin and...