Have a Hot Spring Day Trip at 4 of the Best Ryokan in Kyushu

Want to have a relaxing time in Japan? Head over to Oita and Kumamoto, Kyushu’s best hot spring prefectures.

 

Oita has two renowned hot spring resorts: Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen. Beppu Onsen boasts the largest number of hot springs, and discharges the largest amount of hot spring water, more than 130,000 tons from the ground daily. Yufuin Onsen, on the other hand, is equally beloved by travelers because of its Yunotsubo Kaido Street. Lined with quaint little shops, the street is the perfect spot for afternoon strolls and exploration.

 

Kumamoto’s hot spring resorts have their own charms as well. Kurokawa Onsen along the Tanoharu River Valley, for one, has 20 inns offering a variety of services for tourists wanting a respite. Nearby, there’s Aso Onsen, whose hot spring waters burst forth from the foot of Mt. Aso, an active volcano at the heart of Kyushu. If you plan to enjoy a day trip in one of these hot spring towns, consider booking your stay at top-rated Kyushu hotels and inns. Ahead, we list down luxurious ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Kyushu that have been awarded stars by famous travel guidebooks. Read on to find out where you can enjoy open-air baths and other enjoyable hot-spring activities for the day!

 

1）Sansou Murata (Yufuin, Oita)

 

 

 

Sansou Murata is a ryokan in Kyushu, nestled in a quiet mountain overlooking the Yufuin Basin and the famous peak of the Yufudake Volcano. Sansou Murata is part of the hot spring resort town of Yufuin, a popular summer destination. After Beppu, Yufuin is the second-largest onsen resort in Japan in terms of the number of hot springs (over 900 sources) and the amount of hot spring water (38,600 liters).

 

Yufuin Onsen enjoys waters that flow from both fresh and hot spring sources. The water temperature remains high year-round, so you can surely enjoy a relaxing bath no matter when you visit. This makes Yufuin a go-to destination in winter too, when travelers can bask in the soothing sight of steam rising from the surface of the lake in early mornings.

 

All its guest rooms are independent cabins situated away from the main inn building. These cabins were once old folk houses relocated intact from the northeastern region of Niigata Prefecture. Centuries old, they have been renovated to feature modern interiors.

 

One of the best things about Sansou Murata is that each of its rooms has a bath, giving you a sense of privacy as you relax in the hot springs.

 

 

 

 

The dishes served at Sansou Murata are all excellent. The generous servings feature seasonal ingredients from Oita such as the Seki mackerel and Seki horse mackerel. To ensure the perfection of their food, it is said that the inn staff uses carefully selected ingredients that they themselves have tried.

 

Aside from taking a dip in the rejuvenating baths, you can also enjoy a wide array of activities in Yufuin. Explore Yunotsubo Kaido Street, where you can dine and shop all day long.

 

 

 

Make the most out of your day trip:

 

 

 

・Drop by Sansou Murata’s specialty shop Zo-setsu, which mainly sells items made by Oita’s local artisans. One-of-a-kind seasonings such as yuzu pepper and grain mustard make great souvenirs.
・ For a satisfying dessert, check out B-speak, the ryokan’s in-house bakery famous for its sweets. A must-try is its Swiss roll baked with only flour, sugar, eggs, and fresh cream.

・Art enthusiasts should spend their afternoon at Artegio. The restaurant has a number of art pieces on display and even has a reading room filled with a collection of art-related books.

 

Facility Information

Name: Sansou Murata Location: 1264-2 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufui-shi, Oita Prefecture Admission fee:  ¥60,000~/night per person (2 meals; rooms can accommodate up to 2 people) ※ Varies depending on the season and room types   Access: Ride the JR Limited Express Yufuin no Mori from Hakata Station to Yufuin Station for about 2 hours and 10 minutes. A free pick-up service will take you to the inn from JR Yufuin Station and Yufuin Station Bus Center. Website: Sansou Murata (English)

2) Amane Resort Seikai (Beppu, Oita)

 

 

 

Amane Resort Seikai is a hot spring hotel in Beppu, Oita, Japan, famous for its guest rooms and open-air baths where you can view sights like no other. In particular, this ryokan in Kyushu offers panoramic ocean views. An excellent view of the bay surrounded by lush green mountains can be admired from the terrace of the observation bath Shoyo no Yu. Located on the 8th floor, it is exclusive to guests.

 

 

 

 

This hot spring inn is especially recommended for food-loving travelers. Here, you can find three different restaurants, each of which offers unique dishes that incorporate excellently prepared seasonal ingredients.

 

 

 

 

As mentioned earlier, Beppu Onsen in Oita Prefecture boasts the largest number of springs and the largest amount of hot spring water in Japan. As such, it’s a must to join the "Hell Tour," where you can see the source of natural springs where hot mud and fumes gush from underground. Another must-visit in the resort town is the Yukemuri Observatory, which gives guests a panoramic view of Beppu, Kannawa Onsen, and Mt. Tsurumi.
Beppu Onsen in Oita Prefecture boasts the largest number of springs and the largest amount of hot spring water in Japan. Highlights include the "Hell Tour" where hot mud and fumes gush from deep underground and the source of the natural springs showing its various natural wonders, and the "Yukemuri Observatory" where Yukemuri in Beppu / Kannawa Onsen and the magnificent Mt. Tsurumi can be seen.

 

Make the most out of your day trip:

 

 

 

・Take a dip at the Shiosai no Yu bath on the first floor. The large communal bath is so close to the sea, it almost feels like you’re in it.
・ Enjoy an exclusive feast by booking a private room at the Japanese Cuisine Gen restaurant. Seafood lovers, on the other hand, can delight in the freshness of dishes served at Seafood Eitarou, which has a fish tank inside the restaurant. Finally, if you’re in the mood for western cuisine, dine at Bistro Van NouVeau, where casual French fare made with local ingredients can be enjoyed.

・Save more when you dine in, as restaurant customers get a free ticket to use the baths, including the Shiosai no Yu bath.

 

Facility Information

Name: Amane Resort Seikai Location: 6-24 Shoningahama-cho, Beppu-shi, Oita  Admission fee:  ¥48,400~/night per two adults (meals not inclusive; rooms can accommodate up to 2 people) ※ Varies depending on the season and room types Access: The resort is a 5-minute taxi ride away from the Beppu International Tourism Port. If traveling by train, alight at JR Beppu Station and hop on the city line bus before getting off at the Yasuragi-mae Bus Stop. From there, walk for about 2 minutes to the resort entrance. Website: Amane Resort Seikai (English)

 

3) Ishiyama Rikyu Gosoku no Kutsu (Kumamoto)

 

 

 

Ishiyama Rikyu Gosoku no Kutsu is another ryokan in Kyushu that you need to visit. One of Kumamoto’s highly praised hotels, the 3-hectare inn is located on a mountain overlooking the East China Sea. Its special location is a refuge for travelers in need of a rejuvenating escape. Head over here to bask in the view of the spectacular seas as you’re surrounded by the lush local flora.

 

 

 

・If you are sightseeing in the Amakusa area, the Amakusa Pearl Line driving course is worth a go! Enjoy a series of spectacular views as you drive along the national highway from Misumimachi, Uki City to Matsushima Town, Kamiamakusa City, and travel through the islands connected by the Five Bridges of Amakusa. Your gateway in this road trip will be Tenmonkyo, the first and highest of the five bridges measuring 42 meters above sea level, so you’re sure to feel thrilled on your drive.

 

 

 

 

・Octopus is famous in Amakusa, so make sure to have a taste of octopus dishes here. Visit Amakusa Ariake Tako Kaido, a street lined with restaurants and guest houses offering famous octopus dishes. In the summer, you can also see many dried octopuses with their eight arms spread out on the sand or hanging on bamboo rods by the coastal road.
・Taking a stroll after your bath? It's about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the nearest promenade. Walk along the promenade called Gosoku no Kutsu Literature Trail and stop by the observatory that you’ll find along the way.

 

Facility Information

Name: Ichiyama Rikyu Gosoku no Kutsu Location: 2237 Shimoda-Onsen, Amakusa-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture Admission fee:  ¥47,400~/night per adult (includes breakfast and dinner; rooms can accommodate up to 4 people) ※ Varies depending on the season and room types   Access: From JR Kumamoto Station, ride the bus for 2 hours and 30 minutes and get off at Hondo Bus Center. From there, take a taxi to get to the facility or avail of the inn’s pick-up service. If traveling by air to Amakusa Airport, you can also hail a taxi, which will take you to the ryokan in about 40 minutes. Website: Ichiyama Rikyu Gosoku no Kutsu (English)

(4) Hotel Ryugu

 

 

 

The pride of Amakusa Matsushima Onsen Hotel Ryugu is the spectacular views it lends to its guests. This Kyushu, Japan, accommodation overlooks the beautiful islands of the Ariake Sea, which you can take in as you relax in its observation bath.

 

As one would expect from a top Kyushu hotel, Hotel Ryugu serves dishes that are all excellently made using only Amakusa seafood. When you dine, don’t miss the taste of exquisite sashimi made with seasonal local fish, as well as the Amakusa black abalone.

 

Hotel Ryugu is worth visiting, not only for the relaxing environment it offers but also for the adventure its location promises. To enjoy your day trip, hop on the short ferry service from Amakusa to Unzen, a popular tourist area in Nagasaki.

 

Make the most out of your day trip:

 

 

・The ryokan has a total of five different private outdoor baths where you can have the Sea of Amakusa all to yourself. Those traveling with kids can bathe in the largest bath, Go no Yu, a bedrock bath. Couples, meanwhile, can enjoy a quiet time at Roku no Yu, a luxurious jacuzzi with a wooden deck.
・There is also a Foot Spa Bar where you can drink a cocktail or wine while soaking your tired soles. For something new and different, try Kyushu's specialty Shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit made from rice and potatoes.
・For hassle-free souvenir shopping, get your gifts at Hotel Ryugu’s shops that sell Amakusa products as well as special products and souvenirs from the Kumamoto Prefecture.

 

Facility Information

Name: Hotel Ryugu Location: Aitsu 6136, Matsushima-machi, Amakusa, Kumamoto  Admission fee:  ¥20,900~/night per adult (includes breakfast and dinner; rooms can accommodate up to 2 people) ※ Varies depending on the season and room types   Access: Go from Kumamoto Station to Misumi Station, which is about 60 minutes via the JR Line. From there, walk to Misumi Port to switch to the Amakusa Takarajima Line, which will take you to Amakusa / Matsushima Port in about 15 minutes. Transportation from Matsushima Port to the inn can be arranged (advanced notice required). Website: Hotel Ryugu (English)

 

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