10 Best Onsen Ryokans In Kurokawa Onsen, Japan - Updated 2024

Gabriel
Gabriel 
Updated
| 5 min read

Kurokawa Onsen is a town you will easily fall in love with. The place is a hot spring lovers’ paradise where tradition and culture are raised high on a pedestal. You won’t see any concrete buildings here, only those made of wood and designed in a minimalist fashion. These traditions can be seen in numerous onsen ryokans that sit almost beside each other. Onsen ryokans are hot spring inns that are mostly found along the banks of the Tanoharu River. A number of these have outdoor public baths and special features like grottos and waterfalls. Scroll down for a list of the best onsen ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto, Japan.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.

1. Ryokan Sanga (from USD 305)

This Kurokawa Onsen hotel provides a scenic setting that makes it perfect for an onsen vacation. The hot spring baths are located in open-air gardens and decks, setting the tone for a totally relaxing experience that invigorates and refreshes the mind and body. The lobby welcomes you with a comfortable seating while being warmed by a fireplace. A historic allure and appeal run throughout the ryokan, especially the rooms where you will find traditional tatami floor settings coupled with futon mattresses.

These traditional features are paired with modern conveniences like flat-screen televisions and refrigerators. Added amenities are unobstructed Wi-Fi, free parking, and an in-house souvenir shop.

Stayed at this property?

Ryokan Sanga

Address: Manganji 6961-1
10.65 km (6.7 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Garden Family rooms Free parking Internet services Safety deposit box Massage Heating

2. Okyakuya (from USD 320)

Byakuya opened its doors in the town of Kurokawa Onsen back in 1722 and it offers a traditional onsen experience perfected through the centuries. The hot-spring bath is the ryokan’s main attraction and it serves as a leisurely way to relieve your body and relax your mind. Nearby is a public bath that can be reserved for private use. Rooms here are of top-notch design and minimalism is the main theme.

Once you step inside, you will be greeted by a tatami floor that signifies the traditions and history of the ryokan. Each room comes with a refrigerator, a flat-screen television, an en-suite toilet, and an air-conditioning unit. All baths are shared with other guests.

Stayed at this property?

Okyakuya

Wifi Available

Address: Manganji 6546
11.01 km (6.9 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Non-smoking rooms Free parking Internet services Safety deposit box Heating WiFi Available Free WiFi

3. Ryokan Wakaba (from USD 123)

At Ryokan Wakaba, guests like you are welcome to enjoy their onsen facilities to no end. The ryokan has indoor and outdoor baths, both of which are surrounded by beautiful greens. Aside from these, the inn also has a stone sauna that helps you invigorate your body and calm your mind. Around the property are several smaller baths that you can occupy in private. Rooms here are so relaxing and comfortable that they supplement the onsen experience to the hilt. These come with seating areas with low tables, flat-screen televisions, and refrigerators. A few of these are fitted with futon mattresses while others come with full beds.

Stayed at this property?

Ryokan Wakaba

Address: Manganji 6431
11.0 km (6.9 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Non-smoking rooms Private parking Daily housekeeping Heating Special diet menus (on request) On-site parking Access to health care professionals Mobile app for room service

4. Kurokawa Onsen Oyado Noshiyu (from USD 377)

Kurokawa Onsen Oyado Noshiyu dazzles both in beauty, service, and amenities. Simply stunning, this ryokan has a tea house where you can relax and sip Japan’s favorite drink. Within the property are a lounge, a lovely garden, and a scenic terrace. It has easy access to Kurokawa Onsen’s nearest bus stop. Accepting only adults, guests at the ryokan have a choice of unwinding in a shared onsen or booking one for private use.

Seasonal Japanese cuisine is served in the open-kitchen dining room. The rooms at this ryokan come replete with low tables, tatami floors, flat-screen televisions, coffee makers, and safety boxes.

Stayed at this property?

Kurokawa Onsen Oyado Noshiyu

Wifi Available

Address: Manganji 6591-1
11.15 km (7.0 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Free parking Internet services Safety deposit box Heating

5. Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan (from USD 261)

Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan ryokan has no less than five onsens for you to indulge in. The main attraction is an elongated cave onsen while the others are either indoor or outdoor type. The latter has one that can be reserved for private use. All rooms at this ryokan provide a tranquil space to stay, where tatami floors provide a traditional Japanese look. Each room comes complete with a refrigerator, a flat-screen television, a seating area, and a private bathroom. Aside from these, the ryokan is known to leave no stones unturned to make your experience a memorable one by focusing even on the little things. This includes free parking, continuous Wi-Fi at the lobby, and vending machines to nourish your thirst.

Stayed at this property?

Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan

Wifi Available

Address: Manganji 6608
10.95 km (6.9 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Restaurant Free parking Internet services Safety deposit box Heating Luggage storage WiFi Available

6. Kurokawa-So

Onsen lovers will rejoice in the thought that Kurokawa-So has six hot-spring baths to choose from. The impressive rooms are done in Japanese traditional designs mixed with a few modern features. Here, you will find tatami floors, futon mattresses, and chabudai tables (low tables) that go perfectly well with refrigerators, air-conditioning units, and flat-screen televisions. Western-designed rooms come with everything mentioned but in place of futon mattresses, these are fitted with full beds. For a fully relaxing experience, get yourself an in-room massage done by a professionally trained masseuse. Dinner is presented in kaiseki style at the guest room while breakfast is served at the ryokan’s main dining area.

Stayed at this property?

Kurokawa-So

Address: Manganji 6755-1
10.88 km (6.8 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

7. Ryokan Yamanoyu (from USD 174)

Ryokan Yamanoyu offers elegant accommodations where you can sleep well, and onsens that cater to your wellbeing. It has indoor and outdoor baths where you can soak your tired body until you feel invigorated by the soothing hot-spring water. The former provides a touch of privacy while the latter gives you the chance to commune with nature. Done in traditional Japanese design, rooms at Ryokan Yamanoyu are huge and come with tatami floors and futon mattresses that offer comfort and assure you of sound sleep during your entire stay. To help you start your day right, tasty Asian breakfast options are served. This ryokan is easily accessible as it is located near a bus station.

Stayed at this property?

Ryokan Yamanoyu

Wifi Available

Address: Manganji 6601-4
10.96 km (6.9 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Room service Non-smoking rooms Free parking Internet services Lift Massage Car hire

8. Yamamizuki (from USD 291)

Yamamizuki’s huge advantage is that it is located right next to the river and it is situated in a picturesque area. The ryokan’s onsen is actually a rotenburo, a hot spring bath set in the open with no walls and ceilings. This provides you the opportunity to commune with nature while you feel your body is relieved from fatigue and exhaustion. Not only that, but the rooms here provide you with a grand view of either the river or the greenery that lusciously surrounds it. If you are into classic Japanese food, the ryokan serves a sumptuous traditional breakfast and indulgent kaiseki dishes for dinner.

Stayed at this property?

9. Ryokan Kono-Yu (from USD 319)

Experience the friendliest service you can ever have here at Ryokan Kono-Yu. Their service starts with the friendliest smiles of the staff who are all willing and able to assist you with everything you need. The first thing they will do is set you up in a maisonette-style lodging, where you get to experience a sense of privacy. Each of these has its own onsen in open-air settings. Apart from this, the rooms come with their own low tables, tatami floors, living areas, flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, and private bathrooms. Within the premises are a foot bath and several public baths where a particular one can be reserved for private occasions.

Stayed at this property?

Ryokan Kono-Yu

Address: Manganji 6784
11.07 km (6.9 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Heating Garden Physical distancing in dining areas Internet services Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning Non-smoking rooms Public Bath Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines

10. Kurokawa Onsen Oku no Yu (from USD 436)

Kurokawa Onsen Oku no Yu is one of the best ryokan in Kurokawa. The staff here is well-trained to assist you with everything you need. The food has always been exceptional, you might even want to come back here just for this. However, the main attraction remains the onsens where you have a choice of outdoor and cave settings.

Either way, you cannot go wrong with what you choose and the Japanese-style rooms offer the utmost comfort and restful sleep with comfortable futons. You will also find refrigerators, living areas, and flat-screen televisions in these. All bathrooms are on a shared basis.

Stayed at this property?

Kurokawa Onsen Oku no Yu

Wifi Available

Address: Minamioguni-machi Manganji Kurogawa 6567
11.41 km (7.1 mi) from Daikanbō Lookout

Parking Terrace Non-smoking rooms Free parking Internet services Safety deposit box Heating Fax/photocopying

The best ryokan experiences in Kurokawa Onsen

Ryokans never fail in providing a rejuvenating experience that relaxes your body and mind. Traditionally designed rooms, perfect surroundings, exceptional cuisine, and relaxing hot-spring baths make a ryokan experience the perfect vacation. The ones listed above are just waiting for you to book a stay.

Frequently asked questions about onsen ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen, Kumamoto, Japan


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Introducing Gabriel, affectionately known as Gabby, a dedicated enthusiast of writing, travel, and gastronomy. With these three passions as guiding stars, life takes on new heights of fulfillment....Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore kurokawa
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.