Kumamoto Prefecture | Popular hotels and Ryokan (Japanese inn) based on reviews!

It is located almost in the center of the hot spring town, so it is convenient for walking around. There is a plan for staying only, but it is a little expensive. There are indoor baths and large open-air baths for men and women, and you can enjoy sulfur springs, which are rare in Kurokawa Onsen. There are two restaurants within a two-minute walk from the hotel.

Kurokawaso is an inn I highly recommend, offering a particular sense of tranquility and luxury even among the choices in Kurokawa Onsen. Regarding the basashi (horse sashimi) you are looking for, you can be absolutely assured that the quality you will receive here is excellent. The kaiseki (multi-course) dinner is exceptionally satisfying. It’s not just the basashi; they also meticulously prepare other local Kumamoto ingredients, such as Akaushi beef and regional vegetables. The entire inn is built with a stately, traditional feel, reminiscent of a kominka (old folk house), which gives it a profound and elegant atmosphere. And of course, the spacious rotenburo (open-air bath) is magnificent. For a first visit to Kurokawa Onsen, and if you are planning a somewhat special, upscale family trip, I believe this is the perfect choice.

This is Ryokan (Japanese inn) that started as a sushi restaurant. I stayed in Japanese and Western room in the main building and ate in my room. The kaiseki cuisine included horse sashimi, red beef steak, and sakura natto. There is a private bath, so married couple can enjoy the hot springs together.

Fumoto Ryokan is an inn I can confidently recommend to both onsen enthusiasts and those who appreciate fine cuisine. Regarding the basashi (horse sashimi) you requested, you have options: you can either select a plan that already includes it, or you can order it as an additional dish. The cuisine here is strongly committed to local flavors, featuring specialties like Akaushi (red) beef. Furthermore, all the hot springs are gensen kakenagashi. This means they are 100% free-flowing, with water piped directly from the source—never recycled. A significant highlight is the 11 kashikiri (private-use) baths, which are free for guests. This is ideal for families. Many of these baths are full of character, allowing you to fully savor the authentic Kurokawa Onsen experience.

This long-established inn, dating back to the late Edo period, lets you truly feel its history and savor the authentic atmosphere of Kurokawa Onsen. The grand public baths are as atmospheric as the inn itself, making for a wonderfully leisurely soak; the views from both the indoor and open-air baths are so stunning you'll never want to get out. The serene guest rooms with their beautiful views of the trees, the elegant seiro-mushi (basket-steamed) dishes of local meat and vegetables, and the attentive staff all come together to create a deeply historic and comfortable stay.

After sightseeing at Kumamoto Castle, we recommend Shogen Sanso in Tamana onsen(hot spring). Kurokawa onsen(hot spring) is also famous, but it's a little far from Kumamoto Castle. Tamana onsen(hot spring) is easily accessible, about 50 minutes by car, so driving is less of a hassle. They offer a day trip plan that includes lunch. For a budget of 20,000 yen per person, you can enjoy a slightly luxurious lunch, similar to kaiseki cuisine. onsen(hot spring) has thick, viscous water known as "Bijin-no-yu (a hot spring of beauty)," which is sure to please your girlfriend.

They offer a plan with no meals included, and it is relatively reasonable. It is a little outside the central area of Kurokawa Onsen, but if you are looking for value for money, it is worth staying at. Check-in time is a little early, so it is recommended if you are planning a relaxing trip at the inn.

 If you're looking for a place accessible by car from Kumamoto Castle, I highly recommend Yutorelo Yamaga in Yamaga Onsen. While Kurokawa Onsen is also fantastic, Yamaga Onsen is famous for its "Bijin-no-Yu," known as "beauty-enhancing water." The water has a unique, silky-smooth, almost viscous texture that feels amazing on the skin. The ryokan itself is a beautifully renovated older building, blending traditional charm with a very chic, modern design. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself and feel "a touch of luxury." Depending on when you go, they sometimes offer day-trip plans that include lunch. You can easily enjoy this experience well within your 20,000 yen budget. Plus, it's very accessible—less than an hour's drive from Kumamoto Castle.

Breakfast is a mini kaiseki course. Whole tomatoes seasoned with bonito and kelp are served with snow crab and kuruma prawns. You can enjoy horse meat nigiri and a small bowl of red beef. All the dishes are delicious and you can feel the inn's commitment. The interior has a Japanese modern feel, and the sofas in the bath area are separated by sliding doors. The hot spring was also very nice with a tatami bath.

This inn offers plans for those who want to fully enjoy the hot springs. The inn has unusual baths, such as two-tiered and three-tiered open-air baths, and is characterized by the fact that you can truly immerse yourself in the hot springs. This is Ryokan (Japanese inn) Ryokan (Japanese inn) you can enjoy the natural beauty of Aso and the free-flowing hot springs. It is also recommended for its relatively reasonable prices in this area.

This inn is located in nature, a little independent guest cottages from the main street of Kurokawa Onsen. The hot spring is in an open-air bath made of mountain stones from the Kuju mountain range, so you can enjoy the seasonal nature right before your eyes. The food is exquisite, with creative kaiseki（a traditional Japanese multiple course meal ）made with plenty of ingredients from Kumamoto. It is a small, quiet Ryokan (Japanese inn), and I was able to fully enjoy the Japanese atmosphere. Both the exterior and interior are Japanese-style, making instagrammable.

Kurokawa Onsen is known for its many traditional inns, but this is a highland resort with a different feel. You can fully enjoy the resort atmosphere while feeling the vast nature of Aso. The building is not entirely Western, but has a modern Japanese design that incorporates the Japanese charm unique to hot spring areas. Breathtaking view of Aso spreads out from the window of the room. The food is a creative kaiseki course meal that looks beautiful and is perfect instagrammable. There is also Breathtaking view from the open-air bath in the large communal bath. At night, you can enjoy the hot springs under a sky full of stars.

This inn is located in the center of the hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen, and is the perfect place for touring the outdoor soto-yu (public bathhouses) outdoor Visiting hot springs. For meals, you can enjoy seasonal creative kaiseki meals with Higo beef and horse sashimi. I was impressed that they carefully use local ingredients.

You can spend a relaxing time in a private bath, and the open-air bath has an atmosphere that blends in with nature, making you feel at ease. The meals are rich in variety and colorful. There are many scenes that will make you want to take photos, so it's perfect for a girls' trip. If you want to spend time in a luxurious space, be sure to visit.

新明館は、効能豊かな天然温泉をさまざまなお風呂にてたっぷりの湯量でお楽しみいただける黒川温泉の宿。10年かけて手掘りしたという洞窟風呂が名物の温泉宿です。８畳の4人部屋もあり、お友達とのグループ旅行にもお薦め。また、九州や熊本県の地元食材を活かしたお食事も評判ですが、リーズナブルな素泊まりプランもご利用いただけます。

Hotel Reff Kumamoto is located right inside the Shimotori Arcade, Kumamoto's main shopping and entertainment district. The moment you step outside, you're surrounded by tons of restaurants and shops. It’s great because you can enjoy dining and shopping late into the night and have the peace of mind that your hotel is just steps away. Plus, the tram station is right around the corner, making it super easy to get to Kumamoto Castle. If you want to really experience the vibrant atmosphere of Kumamoto, you honestly couldn't ask for a better location.

For a family trip, I think Oyado Noshiyu is absolutely wonderful. The moment you pass through the entrance gate, you step into what feels like a totally different world. There's a beautiful moss-covered garden and buildings that look like traditional old Japanese houses (kominka). The atmosphere is just amazing; it's honestly fun just to walk around the grounds. They also have many different types of onsen baths, and they all feel fantastic. The food is delicious too, and yes, you can definitely have basashi (horse sashimi) as part of your meal plan! It has the feel of a calm, sophisticated inn that I'm sure your parents will love, too.

The biggest selling point for The Blossom Kumamoto is its direct connection to the JR Kumamoto Station building. It's incredibly convenient because you can check in right after you arrive in Kumamoto by Shinkansen or local train. The tram to Kumamoto Castle and the downtown area leaves from right in front of the station, so getting to the main tourist spots is a breeze. If you're thinking of not just exploring Kumamoto but also taking day trips to other cities, this hotel's location is highly recommended.

After visiting Kumamoto Castle, if you're driving to an onsen, how about Hotel Greenpia Minamiaso? Kurokawa Onsen is also wonderful, but it's over 90 minutes by car from the castle. This area, Minamiaso, is only about an hour away, and you can enjoy a different kind of majestic scenery than what you'd find in Kurokawa. The view from the rotenburo (open-air bath) is absolutely spectacular. A sweeping panorama of the Aso mountains stretches out right before your eyes, and it truly makes you feel "a touch of luxury." Please note, the hotel is under renovation until June 2026. Before the renovations, they offered a day-trip plan that included lunch and onsen access, so I expect you'll be able to enjoy it well within your budget (once it reopens).