Last updated on April 21st, 2024
Here are the best ryokan in Kurokawa onsen that we highly recommended if you are looking on where to stay in Kurokawa onsen.
Located in Kumamoto prefecture, Kurokawa Onsen is the most popular hot spring spot in Kyushu. This charming town is beautiful and famous for its natural open air-bath (Roten buro). However, it is also known as expensive and inaccessible. But still, many visitors including Japanese and foreign visitors are coming all the way to Kurokawa onsen to soak in the natural hot spring. It is best to stay one night in traditional ryokan to enjoy the serenity of the place.
There are about 24 best ryokan in Kurokawa onsen. Each has its unique and beautiful public bath for guests to try on. We visited Kurokawa onsen and experience their best hot spring bath. We stayed one night in Kurokawa onsen and also explored the onsen hopping to other hot spring baths. A unique experience in Kurokawa onsen.
Below are the top listed ryokan that highly recommended for your one night stay in Kurokawa onsen.
Yamamizuki
Firstly, of our best ryokan stay in Kurokawa onsen is Yamamizuki (山水木日式旅館). It is probably the best outdoor hot spring bath in Kurokawa onsen. Yamamizuki is very popular with guests from all over Japan, not to mention foreigners abroad. It is known as one of the best riverside baths in Japan, boosted by picturesque natural views.
Rooms are Japanese-style luxury ryokan. It required about 10 minutes drive from the onsen town. Free pick-up is provided from the Kurokawa onsen bus stop. Meanwhile, there also provides free shuttle service to onsen town every 30 minutes during day time. Don’t forget to serve for their delicious kaiseki dinner.
Yamamizuki’s onsen is located in a forest with a flowing mountain river. Imagine listening to birds playing in the river and hear them sinning while enjoying onsen. Guests can feel the season no matter how many times they visit. Besides a fabulous outdoor bath, Yamamizuki also has an indoor bath. All baths are gender separate. Some rooms even featured private open-air baths.
Daytime Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: From 17,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Kurokawaso
The Kurokawa-so (黑川莊) is nestled in a tranquil valley along the river with traditional settling. It featured Japanese-style guest rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and, boasted fabulous kaiseki dinner and breakfast. Free pick-up service from the Kurokawa onsen bus stop upon request.
Enjoy the authentic hot spring stay in Kurokawaso which comprising with 6 different hot spring baths including open-air baths and indoor public baths gender-separated. It will rotate so that you can try on every bath during your stay.
Daytime Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: From 18,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Yama no Yado Shinmeikan
Next, probably the most well-known and iconic ryokan is located in the center of Kurokawa onsen. Yama no Yado Shinmeikan (山の宿 新明館) is nicely designed with full of traditional ancient and every corner is a photo-taking point. Added, fabulous Kaiseki meals are served for dinner and breakfast. One of the popular picks for those looking for the best place to stay in Kurokawa onsen.
There are 4 onsens for guest including outdoor and the most famous 30-meter long cave bath. It is the most unique experience when you can enjoy a hot spring bath in a cave. Guests can experience and refresh from their natural hot spring water.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen
Overnight Stay: From 15,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Ryokan Ikoi
Ryokan Ikoi (いこい旅館) is a traditional ryokan located in the center of Kurokawa onsen. The wooden three-story Inn was already established about 50 years ago and is still well maintained. Your stay will be in a wooden structure with a long wood corridor, thick log beam, ash fireplace, and bath with a thatched roof. A traditional Japanese kaiseki meal is served for a full board course in Ryokan Ikoi.
Rated as Top 100 National Best Onsen in Japan, Ryokan Ikoi is famous for its variety of unique hot spring baths in Kurokawa onsen. There was a range of beautiful onsens to choose from, including gender-separate, mixed gender, family, and private bath for guests. The standing onsen is the most famous hot spring bath in Ryokan Ikoi. Guests will need to stand and hold onto the floating bamboo while enjoying the natural hot spring water. In addition, their beauty Spa is also very popular for ladies who believe will become prettier after soaking on their onsen.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen
Overnight Stay: From 19,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Agoda.com
Oku no Yu
Similarly, Oku no Yu (奥の湯, Okunoyu). This charming Japanese ryokan is also another popular pick for the best ryokan stay in Kurokawa onsen. It is situated along the Tanohara River and surrounded by tranquil nature with wood and review. The best place for a relaxing stay with a stunning view in Kurokawa onsen.
Moreover, there is a wide variety of gender-separated baths at Oku no Yu. There are steam sauna, a cave bath, and a couple of outdoor onsen with decent views of the river. Guests can unwind and enjoy various hot spring baths in OkunoYu.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen
Overnight Stay: From 15,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Ryokan Ichinoi
Located only a 5-minute uphill walk from the center of Kurokawa hot-spring district, Ryokan Ichinoi (旅館 壱の井) offers modern amenities but in a traditional setting. Guests can relax in the indoor and outdoor hot-springs baths.
Staying one night in Kurokawa onsen is not cheap, especially in a traditional ryokan. The Ryokan Ichinoi probably is one of the best budget stay if you are looking for a cheaper stay in Kurokawa onsen. But don’t get me wrong. Ryokan Ichinoi is a small ryokan with an ideal location, as well as perfect hospitality and authenticity. Your stay is value for money.
Daytime Admission: 600 yen
Overnight Stay: From 13,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Kurokawa Onsen Best Ryokan
Kurokawa Onsen, is a quaint hot spring town high up in the mountains of Kumamoto. Staying in Kurokawa onsen definitely is a must-do when visiting Kyushu to enjoy the traditional Japanese hot spring bath.
Generally, the average one night stay in Kurokawa Onsen cost about 12,000 to 20,000 yen
The best ryokan stay in Kurokawa onsen is Yamamizuki (山水木日式旅館). It is known as one of the best riverside baths in Japan, boosted by picturesque natural views.
Rated as Top 100 National Best Onsen in Japan, Ryokan Ikoi is famous for its variety of unique hot spring baths in Kurokawa onsen including standing bath, beauty spa, and more,
One night ryokan stays in Kurokawa Onsen would be my recommendation. It’s maybe more expensive than a standard hotel, but it’s worth the try to enjoy the Japanese traditional culture.
Travel to Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Aso, and other attractions in Kyushu? Read our travel blog below.
