Reviews of Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan 3 stars
869-2402 Kumamoto, Minamioguni, Manganji 6608, Japan

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Reviewed: 8 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewVery nice staff Very beautiful onsens, including a possibility to privatize one for 35min. Good dinner and breakfast
A bit expensive. This surfers the fact that at this price, I could rent a room for three nights in Tokyo.. However, you don't go there thinking about money, but to feel the japanese expérience so that is okay I guess ? A bit complucated to drive in the village, but this is not the inn's responsability !
Reviewed: 6 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewAn absolutely fantastic traditional ryokan in kurokawa. Overlooking the river, so calm and peaceful. Superb kaiseki breakfast and dinner. Very friendly staff who looked after me so well.
Reviewed: 4 June 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified review10/10 everything was amazing! The place the food the staff and the baths! They even tried to accommodate our needs, as muslims, as much as possible ❤️ would recommend, would go again 👍 Thank you very much.
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Reviewed: 30 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 23 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewWe love trying out the different baths available in the premises. Our stay also included a private slot for the outdoor bath usage which was pretty neat. Food was also excellent, both dinner and breakfast. If you're a stamp collector, don't forget to ask the front desk for a stamp! The staff would also sign off with pretty calligraphy. Staff were very polite and considerate.as expected for a ryokan :)
Reviewed: 11 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 16 December 2024 · Stayed in November 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 December 2024 · Stayed in November 2024
Verified reviewVery well maintained with many onsens to choose from
Nil
Reviewed: 1 December 2024 · Stayed in November 2024
Verified reviewIconic view of Kurokawaonsen area just like Miyazaki Hayao's movie. The traditional dinner and breakfast were fantastic.
The air conditioner is too old and have laud noise. We had to turn off the heater function and got warm just by blankets.
Reviewed: 12 November 2024 · Stayed in October 2024
Verified reviewWonderful place to stay. The meal was delicious, the staff very welcoming. The onsen are somptuous, really relaxing
Reviewed: 1 November 2024 · Stayed in October 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 June 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewBeyond expectations. Great room over the gently rushing creek. Spectacular breakfasts and sldinner. If you have one big spend on you trip, make it an onsen inn like this one.
There was challenges with access to the baths but we had options to use the neighbouring baths, so I was able to indulge my desire for outdoor soaking!
Reviewed: 10 June 2024 · Stayed in June 2024
Verified reviewThe room was spacious and the historic atmosphere of the hotel was wonderful. The cave onsen was interesting, but not very hot honestly. Situated along the riverside was dramatic and so picturesque. I was fine sleeping on the futon mattresses on the tatami mats, but my friend complained that she was very uncomfortable. The food was ever-so delicious, but just too much for us old folks. It is a very romantic atmosphere and walking around the village was enjoyable.
The cave onsen was unique and quaint.
Reviewed: 1 June 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified review-We were picked up from the bus stop punctually by the hotel staff upon our arrival. This is much appreciated as we would not have wanted to lug our luggage on steep slopes. We were also sent back to the bus stop on our departure. -The staff is very accommodating and explained to us where the baths are and its timings, and each dish during meal times, among other things. They were also attentive to our needs and communicated in both English and Japanese. Such good customer service. - The hotel has a very traditional look. It probably is a heritage conservation building. Everyone is taking photos of the building and the bridge itself. -The environment is quite peaceful and calming, with the sounds of the river and smell of the wood. -The room is traditional, and has a view of the river and the town. We stayed in the Fuji Room. -The cave baths are a truly unique experience. A bit creepy, but different. I especially loved the open air baths, both public and private. -Dinner has an open charcoal pit in the middle, grilling fish and barbequing wagyu beef. The food was great, and we enjoyed it! -The location is in the middle of town and is nearby commercial establishments.
-We've had better breakfast from other ryokans. -The indoor public bath is a bit rundown. We just used it to shower before going to the outdoor baths and cave baths. -There's a bit of a climb to reach the private open air baths, and we were paranoid we could be clearly seen from the outside (hopefully not!) XD -The room's toilet requires better ventilation
Reviewed: 22 May 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified reviewShinmeikan is a truly amazing ryokan/ onsen. The whole building just oozes authenticity. Great tatami style rooms overlooking the river, super friendly staff who will help you with all your needs. Great onsen baths, especially the cave bad is spectacular. Dinner and breakfast are equally high quality and display a variety of Japanese cuisine. Absolute perfect place if you want to experience traditional Japanese onsen style ryokan.
Reviewed: 22 May 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified reviewThe staff was very friendly and helpful. The best English speaking ryokan we had for the entire 10-day in Kyushu. The room was huge and they helped us with the bed arrangement. The communication via booking.com was excellent. They also gave us the photo they taken as a souvenir at the check-out.
We had spent about a week in Kyushu in half-board accommodations by the time we reached Shinmeikan and had to say that this place is the least we enjoyed. The food quality was fine but the quantity was not like typical dinners we normally had in other ryokans which was plentiful. We didn't feel like it's worth what we paid for. We had to order extra food for our dinner cos it's not enough. The private onsens for both indoor and outdoor need extra and better shower stations and need to be cleaned more often.
Reviewed: 15 May 2024 · Stayed in May 2024
Verified reviewReviewed: 13 March 2024 · Stayed in March 2024
Verified reviewLocation is in a quaint onsen town with plenty of onsen to try. You can get the pass that last for 6 months 3 onsen or 2 onsen/ snack at the information centre. We got free access to the sister hotel /onsen just for staying here. The kaiseki meal on the first night was insane. The sake was incredible. The server from Myanmar was great and very friendly. Room was warm and futons comfortable, the view was also great. Onsen choice at this ryokan was also amazing, especially the outdoor onsen, we booked it twice. My husband is very tall and they were able to give him a larger / taller Yukata to wear which was very nice of them. Free loose leaf green tea in the rooms.
The pillows were very uncomfortable and very hard. We have had 'bead' pillows inJapan before but never this hard! The futons were left out all day so we had to put them back in the evening ourselves to enjoy some tea around our table. no tea options in the common area, only coffee.
Reviewed: 3 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewMeals were nicely presented and delicious. I love this heritage building and there is a cave hot spring which is very unique and needs to be tried. I can't find the Ryokan and park it at the wrong site, I walk to the Ryokan and told the staff I don't know how to coming in to this place and the staff help me to drive my car and park to the Ryokan car park place, the road is very narrow and have many tourist to walk, not easy to drive.
Not applicable
Reviewed: 3 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewInteresting cave onsen & many other onsen within the ryokan! Love the little bridge linking to the entrance. Beautifully located.
I hope meals are served in our room.
Reviewed: 2 January 2024 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewFood and room
It’s too cold at this time of the year to enjoy onsen. Even indoor onsen is cold in the changing area.
Reviewed: 31 December 2023 · Stayed in November 2023
Verified reviewThey got our luggage from our car which was parked a distance away and made it so seamless for us!
Nothing!
Reviewed: 29 December 2023 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewReviewed: 11 December 2023 · Stayed in December 2023
Verified reviewAuthentic Japanese ryokan experience - we loved it !