Located at the north of Mount Aso is the attractive Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town. It is a small place in the mountains and has a tranquil and relaxing Japan rural atmosphere,
About Kurokawa Onsen Hot Spring
Hot Spring Ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen Hot Spring Town
Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town is a village in the mountains with over 30 hotels or ryokans operating as if they are one whole entity, so you can think of different ryokans as separate rooms. A wooden pass (tegata) is available for guests to visit 3 out of 28 different open air hot spring baths. In addition, the wooden pass can be taken home as a souvenir.
Awe-inspiring Landscape
Ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town worked together to maintain the breathtaking nature view of the town. One of their efforts is to unify the design of signboards to avoid a messy look. Besides, the trees are regularly trimmed. During winter, the hot spring town is decorated with about 300 lanterns, creating a masterpiece of night scenery.
Unique Ryokans
For example, it is quite diverse, such as a ryokan with a flowing hot spring source, a ryokan with 1 or more kinds of baths, and an inn with a rock bath and a pool using hot springs.In addition, there is also an inn with a full-fledged bar lounge where you can drink Phantom shochu and cocktails, so it is recommended for people who want to enjoy both hot springs and alcohol.For a fulfilling stay at Kurokawa onsen, we recommend checking each inn.
Many ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town has each of their own unique characteristics. For example, a ryokan with flowing hot spring source, ryokan with more than a type of hot spring, and ryokan with rock bath. There is also an inn with a full-fledged bar lounge where you can drink shochu (Japanese hard liquor) and cocktails, so it is recommended for people who want to enjoy both hot springs and alcohol. We recommend checking each inn to fully enjoy the place.
Not Just Hot Springs, But Also...
Delicious Foods of Variety
Local restaurants in Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town serves menu with ingredients such as Aso's famous Akaushi (literally "red beef") and horse meat. Soft serve ice creams are also in a high demand after a relaxing hot bath. Cream puffs and pudding made of Aso's Jersey Milk are also famous desserts throughout Japan.
Unmissable Spots
One of the many famous spots of Kurokawa Onsen is the Marurin Bridge, recommended for photo taking. Besides, there is a Hiranodai Observatory at Koibitotachi-no-oka ("Hill of Lovers") which you can get a splendid view of Mount Aso. The Nageba Waterall is also recommended for its fantasy like atmosphere.
Access to Kurokawa Onsen
Along the journey from Kumamoto Station to Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town, you can enjoy the beautiful nature landscape out of the window. From Kurokawa Station by train, a transfer at Higo-Ōzu Station is necessary, and after getting off at Aso Station another 2 transfers to bus are required (3 transfers in total). On the other hand, the Kyushu Odan Bus goes directly to Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town from Kumamoto Station. Bothroutes take 3 hours.
Spot Information
- Spot name: Kurokawa Onsen Hot Spring Town
- Spot address: Kurokawa Sakura-dori, Minami-oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto, 869-2402
- Access: 3 hours ride from Kumamoto Station via Kyushu Odan Bus. Train from Kumamoto Station via JR Hohi Line (40 mins) to Higo-Ōzu Station, take the Express Yamabiko bus to Minamioguni-machi Yakuba-mae stop (53 minutes), and go to Kurokawa Onsen hot spring town by taxi or Sanko bus.
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