Read genuine traveler ratings & reviews to find your perfect stay.
Posted onMar 18, 2026
Anonymous User
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!
Show more
Price per night from:€157
Posted onDec 14, 2025
Guest User
wonderful ryokan, we had a river view from the window. delicious kaiseki dinner and breakfast. totally recommend!
tattoo-friendly onsen, but the showers are only on the first floor. the private outdoor rooftop onsen does not have a shower, so it’s better to shower downstairs first; otherwise, it can be quite chilly to rinse yourself outside using the buckets.
there is free parking, but the street itself is very narrow and busy with pedestrians; the ryokan staff can help with parking. the staff warned us about the parking situation in advance and advised leaving the car at a free parking lot in the village center, but there were no spaces available.
Show more
Price per night from:€128
Posted onDec 11, 2023
Kelvin Keung
I chose a Japanese-style room, each room has indoor and outdoor soup, the room is very large and comfortable. Generally fragrant wood, very nostalgic, cost-effective
Food is high but not high.
Good staff service
Show more
Price per night from:€194
Posted onFeb 19, 2020
QINGYUNSure enough, the water temperature of the hot springs meets the requirements. In order to adapt to foreigners who don’t like heat, many hot springs have lowered the water temperature, so it doesn’t feel like soaking. The interior style is also the feeling of the Taisho era😄
Show more
Price per night from:€218
Posted onJan 29, 2026
Guest User
26.1.27-28 I was so happy staying at Shikinosato Hanamura. The facilities, including a Japanese-style tatami room and a private bath, were as expected (perfect for one man, but a bit cramped for two). The kotatsu and futon were perfect, and everything was satisfying. However... I felt the food was below average. After enjoying the cave and open-air bath in the large bath(?), I expected a delicious meal, but it was so Japanese that I couldn't finish the entire meal. (This is also true for Kurokawa Onsen, but it's wise to shop at a convenience store or supermarket in the city before going in.)
Anyway, except for the food, I was satisfied with everything. I even bought a salt cleanser.
Show more
Price per night from:€216
Posted onFeb 20, 2025
kwan Fai
Although the location is a bit far, the environment is first-class. Comfortable. The receptionist was also very polite and communication in English was not a problem. Breakfast and dinner are also excellent. I hope to go again.
Show more
Price per night from:€111
Posted onDec 7, 2025
Cho hung Chan
I recently visited Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto and stayed one night at Yamamizuki Shinmeikan. Overall, it's a traditional Japanese ryokan suitable for those looking to relax in hot springs, but there are a few things to note.
The location is its biggest advantage, right in the heart of the Kurokawa Onsen area. It's just a few minutes' walk to other ryokans and small shops, making it super convenient to use the 'onsen hopping pass' (Tegata) to try different baths nearby. Driving to Mount Aso or Aso JR Station takes about 40 minutes, and there's a free shuttle bus to the main gate. Although the road is narrow and winding, the scenery is beautiful and worth the trip. There are river views and forests nearby, and the air is fresh at night, giving a very tranquil feel.
Cleanliness was average. The tatami-style room was spacious enough for luggage, but as it's an older establishment, there was a bit of dust in the corners. Although the bathroom was cleaned daily, water marks in the shower area weren't wiped dry, which made it feel a bit less comfortable during the stay. Fortunately, the bedding was soft and odorless, and towels were changed promptly.
In terms of service, the staff were friendly. The front desk attendant helped with simple English and check-in was quick. There's also a 24-hour free coffee machine and vending machine, convenient for drinks late at night. The kaiseki dinner was fresh, featuring local vegetables and river fish, which was very satisfying. The Japanese-style set breakfast was simple but flavorful.
However, the facilities were a bit disappointing. Although there are five hot spring baths, including a 30-meter-long cave bath and an open-air mixed bath, which were very therapeutic, some pools didn't have attached showering areas. You had to walk further to rinse off, which wasn't very convenient. The rooms don't have private bathrooms, relying entirely on communal ones. The TV and fridge are basic, and there's no Wi-Fi in the rooms. The older design of the floors felt a bit cramped.
In conclusion, this ryokan focuses on hot springs and a traditional ambiance, suitable for budget travelers. But if you're looking for modern facilities, you might want to reconsider. Next time I visit Kurokawa, I'll try other newer establishments.
Show more
Price per night from:€232
Posted onNov 4, 2024
Guest User
It is very inconvenient to change the number of people, whether it is a trip or a hotel email.
Show more
Price per night from:€135
Posted onJul 4, 2026
Guest UserThis was my favorite area from this trip. As soon as you get off the express bus and walk down a bit, this is the first accommodation you see. Although there are separate main and annex buildings, I was able to enjoy the main building's hot spring once with a ticket, so I went there in the morning. The service was excellent, and the staff were all very kind, which made me feel great.
The main building felt more like a hotel, while the annex had a stronger ryokan (Japanese inn) feel. The front desk and the multi-bath in the annex were clean and nice, but the room itself had a strong smell of rotting wood? I couldn't quite place the smell. Nevertheless, the trip itself was so satisfying that it overshadowed this minor issue.
Most shops in the village seemed to close by 5 PM, and it was very quiet and dark. There's one small convenience store nearby that closes at 10 PM, so if you're planning a trip here, I recommend finishing your day early.
Show more
Price per night from:€75
Posted onFeb 1, 2026
Guest User
The main plus this location , if you want to be quiet alone with nature ... Early in the morning even the deer breakfasted opposite our terrace 🦌 The common swimming pools were very much liked , the water was hot as you wanted . The room in Japanese style was taken and it corresponds to the mood , I wanted to enter Japanese culture . The hotel owners helped us in this 🙏 All staff very kind . Food is very delicious , for two nights different menus . Thank you the chef of the chef 🙏 It was my birthday and I spent a great time . The Recan fulfilled our expectations 💫
Show more
Price per night from:€162