Kurokawa Onsen: Best Hot Spring Inns, Access, and Travel Tips

Kurokawa Onsen: Famous Hot Springs in Kumamoto

'Taki no yu' from Ikoi Ryokan (Photo courtesy of: Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)

Located in the heart of the Kyushu region, Kurokawa Onsen is a historic hot spring with over 300 years of tradition, situated in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Each ryokan, or Japanese-style inn, features unique outdoor hot springs that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and flowing streams. This area is particularly special because it boasts six different types of hot springs, with the water color changing depending on the spring and the time of day.

Kurokawa Onsen Guide

1. Hot Spring Properties and Effects
2. How to Get to Kurokawa Onsen
3. Kurokawa Onsen Day Trip Spots
4. Ryokan Inns and Hotel in Kurokawa Onsen
5. How to Enjoy Kurokawa Onsen

Hot Spring Properties and Effects

’Moyai no yu’ from Ryokan Sanga (Photo courtesy of: Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)

Kurokawa Onsen features six main types of hot springs:

- Mildly Acidic Simple Springs: Help relieve fatigue and stress.
- Mildly Alkaline Simple Springs: Promote smooth, healthy skin.
- Sulfur Springs: Assist in detoxification and address health issues related to an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Hydrogen Carbonate Springs: Enhance skin beauty.
- Chloride Springs: Offer heat insulation and help regulate body temperature.
- Sulfate Springs: Effective in improving high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.

Since each ryokan has its own unique hot spring properties, be sure to check with the ryokan before your visit for specific details.

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How to Get to Kurokawa Onsen

Photo courtesy of: Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association

The Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association recommends using either your own or a rental car to most conveniently access Kurokawa Onsen as it is in a mountainous area. However, let's take a look at public transportation too.

Access from Toyko and Osaka

Flights are the best recommendation for those coming from Tokyo or Osaka to Fukuoka Airport, which has the most frequent flights, or Kumamoto Airport, and then transferring to Kurokawa Onsen by bus.

Access from Fukuoka

There are four buses a day from Nishitetsu Tenjin Bus terminal through Hakata Station bus terminal and Fukuoka International Airport to Kurokawa Onsen (*reservation is required).

It takes two hours and 40 minutes from Fukuoka Airport and the fare is 3,090 yen for a one-way ticket (a round trip ticket discount is available).

Access from Kumamoto

There are two buses a day from Kumamoto Airport to Yufuin Station or Beppu Station through Kumamoto Station. It takes two hours and a half hours and the fare is 1750 yen one way.

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Kurokawa Onsen Day Trip Spots

'Mori no yu' from Ryokan Kou no yu (Photo courtesy of Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)

Kurokawa Onsen sells 'Nyuyoku Tegata', or an 'onsen-hopping pass' which allows you to try three different outdoor hot springs. The fee is 1300 yen for an adult and 700 yen for a child. You can purchase it at Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association and at each ryokan's reception desk. Make sure to take advantage of this special deal.

Today, we picked three onsen spots for a day trip. The article has been written without the use of the onsen-hopping pass.

Yama no Yado Shinmeikan

The 30-meter wide cave bath was made by the owner with only a hammer and chisel, putting in his whole heart and soul into the effort, this is a must see in Kurokawa Onsen! Their family bath, 'Kajika no yu', is also available for day trippers (for an additional fee).

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami-oguni, Manganji 6608
Admission: 500 yen for an adult, 300 yen for a child. 'Kajika no yu (family private bath)' 1500 yen for 40 minutes. (with tax).
Website: Yama no Yado Shinmeikan (Japanese)

Ryokan Kounoyu

Here, you can enjoy the tallest standing bath in Japan. Each bath is an outdoor onsen and the tallest part in the bath is 162 cm for gentlemen, and 130cm for ladies. Enjoy floating in the bath surrounded by a beautiful, natural view.

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami-oguni, Manganji 6784
Admission: 600 yen for an adult, 300 yen for a child (with tax).
Website: Ryokan Kounoyu

Ikoi Ryokan

They have no less than 13 baths including 'Taki no yu', which was selected as one of the top 100 great secret hot springs in Japan. For day trippers, they offer seven kinds of bath and four kinds of private baths (an additional fee is required).

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami oguni, Kurokawa Onsen Kawabata Dori
Admission: 500 yen for an adult, 300 yen for a child, a private bath for 40 minutes: 800 yen per person (with tax).
Website: Ikoi Ryokan

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Recommended Ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen

'Momiji no yu' from Fumoto ryokan (Photo courtesy of: Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)

Fumoto Ryokan

A luxury ryokan with four outdoor hot springs, nine private baths and 14 guest rooms, three of which have outdoor hot springs. You can enjoy hopping into different baths in a ryokan all the while being amazed by the charms of each bath.

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami-oguni, Manganji 6697
Website: Fumoto Ryokan (Japanese)

Ryokan Sanga

Here, you can try 'Yakushi no yu' and 'Bihada no yu' effective for skin problems. This ryokan has seven baths such as outdoor hot springs and wooden baths stretching over an area of 10,000 square meters. It is a little far away from other hot spring areas, so you can relax here listening to the sound of the gently flowing streams.

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami oguni, Manganji 6961-1
Website: Ryokan Sanga

Yamaai no yado Yamamizuki

In this ryokan surrounded by beautiful nature, your body and mind will surely be healed by the outdoor hot spring near a stream listening to the murmur of the water. All of Kurokawa Onsen's ryokan have great reviews, but this ryokan has an especially great reputation.

Address: Kumamoto, Aso, Mimami oguni, Manganji 6392-2
Website: Yamaai no yado Yamamizuki

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How to Enjoy Kurokawa Onsen

'Yuakari' (Photo courtesy of: Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association)

The 'Kappo tegata', or 'Kappo pass' (1500 yen) is a great offer, which let you buy 3 kinds of local sake, or shochu, and small snacks at ryokan, shops, and restaurants in Kurokawa Onsen.

During the winter event 'Yuakari', you can enjoy romantic and dreamy town views illuminated with bamboo lanterns. The event schedule is subject to change year to year, so please check with the official webpage for details.

Kurokawa Onsen is 700m high and it is still cool in the deep summer. In winter the snow will pile up in the area, so please make sure to prepare for the cold.

Also, for advice on how to take a hot spring in Japan, please take a look at Bath Culture In Japan: What Every Visitor Should Know Ahead Of Time to fully enjoy your onsen experience.

Kurokawa Onsen

Kurokawa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 869-2225

Kurokawa Onsen Village is located in the northern central area of ​​Kyushu on the border with Oita Prefecture. Until 2000, it was so unexpl...