3 recommended inns and hotels with hot springs in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture

• Table of Contents
• Hitoyoshi Onsen Shirasagiso
• Ryokan Suiranro
• Hitoyoshi Onsen Nabeya

Hitoyoshi Onsen Shirasagiso

Shirasagi-so started out as a carp and eel farm, then became a traditional Japanese restaurant before becoming a famous hot spring inn, famous for its long history and the carp and river fish dishes it serves, along with hot springs straight from the source. The spring water pond, which was selected as one of the 100 best waters of the Heisei era, still gushes forth water. At the time of the disaster, the entire 100-year-old two-story wooden building was destroyed. The first floor of the main building is now made of reinforced concrete, allowing for quicker restoration in the event of an emergency. The second floor retains the same wooden feel as before, and is made from lumber from Hitoyoshi Kuma.

There are five rooms in the main building and two annex buildings. The hot springs can be enjoyed in the family bath, large communal bath, and indoor bath in the annex. The hot springs are 100% natural, with no heating or water being added, and are free-flowing 24 hours a day. You can also drop in to enjoy the baths.

The windows of the annex face nature, and you can see the spring-fed pond and the main building, but it is a room where you can relax without worrying about being seen by others. Arita ware teacups and mills are provided in the annex. There are several types of Arita ware teacups, and just choosing one is exciting. The coffee is from a local roastery, and the coffee shop is different between the annex and the main building lobby. Even if you don't like coffee, tea, juice, and beer are provided free of charge in the refrigerator.

Meals are centered around river fish, and the restaurant is particular about using produce from Kumamoto and Kyushu, including organic vegetables from the surrounding towns and cities. As a remnant of the restaurant's history as a carp and eel farm, you can enjoy dishes that are characteristic of Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto, such as carp wash, horse sashimi, and salt-grilled sweetfish. Another must-try dish is the Kurokaba beef steak, which is raised in the lush nature and pure waters of Hitoyoshi.

Hitoyoshi Onsen Shirasagiso

Ryokan Suiranro

Suiranro, which boasts hot springs where you can soak while staying overnight, reopened in February 2023. There is a fireplace on the terrace in front of the lobby, and you can sit on the sofa and enjoy the sound of the babbling river. Everyone from small children to adults can relax here. There is an Italian restaurant on the first floor, which can be used by non-guests as well.

Mikage no Yu, the oldest hot spring in Hitoyoshi Onsen, has a history of over 100 years, not only for its spring but also for its retro baths. Although it has been hit by two heavy rain disasters in the past, it remains exactly as it was at the time. Although the mud rose up during the heavy rain disaster in 2020, the spring has continued to flow unchanged. Many guests who were enchanted by the hot spring return to Suiranro. Each of the three springs has different ingredients, so it's nice to be able to try out different baths while staying overnight.

All rooms at Suiranro offer views of the Kuma River. With the recent renovation, we have increased the number of rooms with hot spring baths and large bathrooms where you can stretch your legs.

Each dining room is a semi-private room where you can dine. With the desire to "serve delicious, safe food at any time," we use only carefully selected ingredients that have been approved by our head chef. In addition to local fish and vegetables, we also have a menu that is unique to Suiranro, such as pudding made with hot spring water.

Ryokan Suiranro

Hitoyoshi Onsen Nabeya

Hitoyoshi Onsen Nabeya, which has been in business for 194 years since the Edo period, is a long-established inn where many famous people, including members of the imperial family and literary figures, have stayed. It was reopened in June 2023 after renovation. The lobby has a play area for children, a bar with over 30 types of Kuma shochu, and a space on the terrace where you can enjoy a foot bath while listening to the babbling of the river. In honor of Hitoyoshi Castle, also known as the Crescent Moon Castle, a crescent moon motif is used on the promenade leading to the lobby and on the door handles.

The restaurant serves dishes that combine locally produced ingredients and local Kuma cuisine. Every course incorporates the chef's sensibility, technique, and passion, and each dish has its own story.

All rooms have been completely renovated with safety as the number one priority, and offer a panoramic view of the Kuma River and the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle. During the Hitoyoshi Fireworks Festival, the fireworks will be set off right before your eyes, and the reflection of the fireworks on the Kuma River is said to be beautiful. The suite and semi-suite rooms come with hot spring baths, and each room has a different design, such as a terrace pool or a Shigaraki ware bathtub on the terrace.

The hot spring, which had to be excavated due to flooding, still has the same amount of water flowing as before and is a free-flowing spring. The large bath on the first floor has been moved to the top floor, and from the highest point in the building, you can get a panoramic view of the Hitoyoshi Castle ruins and the Kuma River. In addition to the open-air bath, we also have a panoramic sauna.

Hitoyoshi Onsen Nabeya