Kurokawa Onsen (•쉷ò) is one of Japan's most attractive hot spring towns, located in the middle of Kyushu about 20 kilometers north of Mount Aso. Well coordinated efforts by the town to maintain a pleasant, traditional atmosphere have kept Kurokawa free of the massive concrete hotels, neon advertisements and loud colors that are encountered in many of Japan's other resort towns.
Instead, Kurokawa's townscape is dominated by natural colors and materials, wooden buildings, earthen walls, stone stairs and a river flowing through. The town center, located in a forested valley, is compact and easily explored on foot, except for a few ryokan which are located less centrally.
The town's lanes are lined by ryokan, public bath houses, attractive shops and cafes, a small shrine and bridges that lead over the river directly to ryokan entrances. A walk through town is particularly enjoyable in yukata and geta sandals provided by one's ryokan. An information center, where maps and other information can be obtained, is also found in the town center.
Kurokawa is not only known for its attractive town, but also for the outstanding outdoor baths (rotenburo) of its ryokan some of which are located right besides a gushing river or impress by their large sizes. The larger baths with good views tend to be located a little bit outside of the town center, while some of the more central ryokan attract with smaller but historic baths, which were already enjoyed by the feudal lords of nearby Kumamoto Castle.
While staying guests naturally have the opportunity to enjoy their own ryokan's baths as often as they wish, it is also possible for overnight visitors and daytrippers to explore any other bath in town during daytime and engage in a so called Rotemburo Meguri ("tour of outdoor baths").
For this purpose, a wooden pass (tegata) is sold for 1300 yen, providing admission to the baths of three different ryokan of one's choice (valid for up to six months). It is available at the information center and the over twenty participating ryokan. Alternatively, the cost is around 500 yen per bath. Inquire at the information center for eventual closures on the day of your visit.
In addition to the ryokan baths, Kurokawa has two very simple, unmanned public bath houses with small indoor baths: the Jizoyu is located in the very town center, while the Anayu stands along the river just above the town center and was recently rebuilt after it had been destroyed in a storm in 2020. Admission to either bath costs 200 yen.
Below is a list of some of Kurokawa's best baths:
Yamamizuki••
Daytime Hours: 8:30 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 600 yen Overnight Stay: From 19,000 yen per person including 2 meals
One of the best riverside baths in Japan, Yamamizuki's outdoor bath is located in the woods next to a picturesque mountain river. There are also some tasteful indoor baths. All pools are gender separated.
Hozantei••
Daytime Hours: 9:00 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 800 yen Overnight Stay: From 19,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Located the farthest from the town center, almost three kilometers into the wooded hills, Hozantei offers another outstanding riverside bath surrounded by the forest in a pleasantly rustic atmosphere. The baths are gender separated.
Iyashi no Sato Kiyashiki••
Daytime Hours: 8:30 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 500 yen Overnight Stay: From 15,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Despite its short history as a hot spring establishment (founded in 1989), Kiyashiki and its baths feel very rustic and traditional. There is a nice variety of pools including an indoor bath, a wooden tub, a standing bath and a large outdoor bath surrounded by thick foliage. The facilities are gender separated except for the large outdoor bath which is mixed.
Kurokawaso•
Daytime Hours: 8:30 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 600 yen Overnight Stay: From 20,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Kurokawaso features a huge outdoor bath that is surrounded by trees and has some views onto a cliff face. Additionally, there is a smaller outdoor pool and a spacious indoor bath. All bathing facilities are gender separated.
Oku no Yu•
Daytime Hours: 8:30 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 500 yen Overnight Stay: From 18,000 yen per person including 2 meals
There is a wide variety of gender separated baths at Oku no Yu, including a steam sauna, a cave bath and a couple of outdoor pools with decent views of the river. Nonetheless, the presentation of the baths leaves something to be desired compared to some of the above listed locations.
Yamabiko Ryokan•
Daytime Hours: 8:30 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 500 yen Overnight Stay: From 17,000 yen per person including 2 meals
There are two outdoor baths available to daytime visitors: a large one and a smaller one. One of the baths is women only, while the other is men only, alternating on a daily basis. The baths are surrounded by rocks and plants.
Sato no Yu Waraku
Daytime Hours: 8:00 to 21:00 Daytime Admission: 500 yen Overnight Stay: From 35,000 yen per person including 2 meals
Waraku offers two baths to daytime visitors: an outdoor bath and a unique rock cave, which are alternated daily between use by men and women. Staying guests can enjoy private hot spring baths in their rooms.
Ratings: best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
Getting there and around
How to travel between Kurokawa Onsen and Fukuoka
By highway bus
A direct highway bus runs twice per day between Fukuoka (Hakata Station, Tenjin Bus Center and Fukuoka Airport) and Kurokawa Onsen. The one way trip takes around 2.5 hours, costs 3150 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass.
By train (for rail pass holders)
Kurokawa Onsen is not connected to the railway network, but Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass holders can save a few yen by boarding the above-mentioned Fukuoka-Kurokawa highway bus at Hita instead of Hakata. Hita Station is accessed from Fukuoka's Hakata Station by direct limited express train (75 minutes, about 3000 yen one way) or by local trains via Kurume (100 minutes, 1680 yen); both fully covered by the JR passes. The bus ride from Hita Bus Center to Kurokawa takes 70 minutes and costs 1880 yen. There are two buses per day.
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How to travel between Kurokawa Onsen and Kumamoto
By bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus by Kyusanko travels directly from Kumamoto (Kumamoto Station, Sakuramachi Bus Terminal and Kumamoto Airport) to Kurokawa Onsen, before continuing on across Kyushu to Beppu. The one way trip between Kumamoto and Kurokawa take about three hours, costs 2500 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
The Kyushu Odan Bus runs once daily between Beppu and Kumamoto, stopping at Kurokawa along the way. The one way journey between Beppu and Kurokawa takes about 2.5 hours, costs about 3000 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.
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How to travel between Kurokawa Onsen and Aso
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus travels between Kumamoto and Beppu, stopping at Aso Station and Kurokawa Onsen along the way. The one way journey between Aso Station and Kurokawa takes 50 minutes, costs 1200 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
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How to travel between Kurokawa Onsen and Tokyo
Travel between Tokyo and Kurokawa is best done via Fukuoka:
A direct highway bus runs twice per day between Fukuoka (Hakata Station, Tenjin Bus Center and Fukuoka Airport) and Kurokawa Onsen. The one way trip takes around 2.5 hours, costs 3150 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass.
By train (for rail pass holders)
Kurokawa Onsen is not connected to the railway network, but Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass holders can save a few yen by boarding the above-mentioned Fukuoka-Kurokawa highway bus at Hita instead of Hakata. Hita Station is accessed from Fukuoka's Hakata Station by direct limited express train (75 minutes, about 3000 yen one way) or by local trains via Kurume (100 minutes, 1680 yen); both fully covered by the JR passes. The bus ride from Hita Bus Center to Kurokawa takes 70 minutes and costs 1880 yen. There are two buses per day.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Kurokawa's town center is small and compact and can be easily navigated by foot. The exception are a few ryokan such as the Yamamizuki and Hozantei, which are located one to three kilometers outside of the town center. Daytime visitors without a rental car seem to have no choice but to walk to these more remote ryokan, while staying guests are provided with a pick up service.