-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

-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.

Stayed in May 2024

Shinmeikan 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.

Stayed in May 2024

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.

The 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.

Stayed in May 2024

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.

Location 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.

Stayed in March 2024

Not applicable

Meals 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.

Stayed in December 2023

It’s too cold at this time of the year to enjoy onsen. Even indoor onsen is cold in the changing area.

Food and room

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing!

They got our luggage from our car which was parked a distance away and made it so seamless for us!

Stayed in November 2023

Authentic Japanese ryokan experience - we loved it !

Stayed in December 2023

The river is loud and might wake you up in the morning if you are a light sleeper. If you are driving, the google map is kind of confusing.

The osen experience is unique. We did the cave and the open-air osen. The old building, and the open-fire grill for dinner, the beef, etc... It is right next to the river and it is in the center of the town. Very conveniently located. A lot of tourists take selfies in front of the buildings so it is a destination on its own.

Stayed in November 2023

Kurokawa onsen town didnt seem to recover to its glorious, buzzling times. A little too quiet unfortunately.

The "heritage" building, quaint surrounding, amazing onsens, pleasant staff are all reasons to top pick this ryokan. Although the rooms and fittings are jaded, the delicious meals and friendly service are more than enough for a great experience to stay here. Its onsite cave onsen is uniquely rare and a must-try. Location is fantastic, one can leisurely walk around to explore the small town although some shops/eateries seemed permanently closed after the pandemic.

Stayed in December 2023

I think the dinner place could have had better smoke ventilation as they were preparing some grilled items and we were sitting by the fire. The clothes can tend to get abit smelly after that. But we brought some fabric freshener spray so it was good. The food was yummy though!

Breakfast was delicious with a wide selection of food. We did not know where to start at first but overall the food was delicious and the service was great.

Stayed in November 2023

Nope

Location wonderful

Stayed in November 2023

Private Onsen changing area not clean. Properly caused by the previous customer.

The cave bath is awesome.

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing

Very special experience with an authentic Japanese feel. Loved the different types of Onsen that were available at the hotel. The breakfast and dinner were incredible. They even cleaned out our car for us and parked it!

Stayed in October 2023

Outstanding environment and staffing!!!

Stayed in September 2023

No

Location excellent, very convenient, it's the center of kurokawa onsen. Building is awesome, must take photos here. Tatami room is clean and comfortable with toilet. There are 2 family onsen can be reserved and the quality of onsen is great. Dinner is ancient Japanese style at the dining room. Breakfast is Japanese style and it tastes good. Will I come back again and stay at shinmeikan hotel? Yes I would like to, but not during holidays.

Stayed in September 2023

Nothing

Very nice location and friendly staff. Very nice dinner also.

Stayed in July 2023

No shower facilities in our room, or in some of the public bathing areas

Staff were very friendly and helpful. Some spoke English. Outdoor private onsen was lovely. Kaiseki dinner was superb

Stayed in July 2023

Family customers in other room were noisy.

Food are very good consider the price. Views are beautiful.

Stayed in June 2023

-none

-excellent dinner -young staff fluent in English -exotic cave bath

Stayed in June 2023

Good dinner and breakfast. Lots of hot springs each having its own personality. I'd like to visit Shinmeikan again.

Stayed in June 2023

I enjoyed the drive to the location, but for non-native drivers it could be intimidating to take the mountain roads, particularly for Americans who aren't used to driving on that side of the car/road. It was a beautiful drive, but also mildly stressful.

By far the best location that we stayed in during our trip to Japan. The location itself is absolutely stunning, not to mention the scenic local. Not only was the onsen stunning, but the room and location itself was amazing. Breakfast and dinner were also fantastic, dinner in particular being the best individual meal we had in the entire country! The staff was very friendly and helpful, I can't recommend them enough.

Stayed in May 2023

The food is nice and staff friendly

Stayed in April 2023

none

The atmosphere was impeccable.

Stayed in April 2023