The room had a private toilet, but I didn't realize until the next morning that we didn't have a shower! I didn't notice because I was using the onsen as much as I could, but my travel companion was onsen-shy. I actually really enjoyed the traditional vibe of this arrangement, but it could be in issue for travelers who aren't confident about onsen. However, despite this, my travel companion reported that staying here was a total highlight, as they really loved the forest location, the vibe of the Ryokan, the food, and sound of the nearby stream and waterfalls. So while it might seem counterintuitive for an onsen-shy person to come to "Kurokawa Onsen", I think its appeal does go beyond the onsen. And in the end, my travel companion did use the common showers once. So, one small step! The private toilet room (attached to our room) was a little bit on the small side, which may be an issue for very tall people.

Check in was amazing. We had rented a car and the drive into the accommodation was admitted a little harrowing, but despite only perfunctory information from me, the staff seemed to be prescient about our arrival and welcomed us as soon as we drove up and took care of parking the car and starting our check-in process. I initiated check-in using my limited Japanese, and the woman who was helping us proceeded to explain everything in Japanese. I wasn't quite able to understand much of what she said, but since she was largely explaining information provided on a printout that was in both English and Japanese, it was still very easy to comprehend the important points. It was mostly about onsen/bath usage, and then selecting our meal times. Both dinner and breakfast were amazing. Meals were served in a small dining room with 5 tables (there appeared to be additional dining rooms, as well). We only overlapped with 1 other party, so it was nice from an "atmosphere" perspective: not too lonely, but not too crowded. The room was spacious and comfortable. The beds were actually futon on tatami platform (I loved; my companion had to double-up the futon, then was fine). There was a sliding door (with a screen) to a balcony. When open, one can hear the sound of the waterfalls. It was undoubtedly the most relaxing time during our Japan trip. The baths were amazing. I preferred the main outdoor bath and the indoor bath. Both the waterfall and cave baths felt slightly cooler to me, which in addition to being a little smaller..I just preferred to stay in the big one since it felt hotter and more spacious. The nearby town was fun to explore, but felt more like "scenery" than "establishments". Several things were closed. Still, it was fun to walk, with many steps and narrow paths. It doesn't feel like we saw it all in our single day there--all the more reason to return!

Stayed in March 2024

The wooden counter top in the sink area in our room is a bit dated, could use a little remodeling.

The location, the onsen facilities, the view. We especially like the friendliness & warmth of the staff, always ready to help. The food was also excellent.

Stayed in April 2024

Private onsen could be equipped with more amenities Kiseki dinner could be a little better (we have had a better one elsewhere)

Multiple public onsen (main, cave, river, indoor), multiple private onsen available, garden around the ryokan

Stayed in March 2024

Oku no yu was great! The staff picked us up from the bus station and dropped us off. The facilities had a public and many private onsens to try. The staff helped us set up our futons and there were yukatas for us in the room. We had breakfast there and it was very yummy. Overall, great experience and would recommend!

Stayed in April 2024

None

Surrounding by tree and creek so very quiet and feel like in Zen environment. Really relax. Stuff very nice and food is really good . I like this traditional Japan style meal.

Stayed in April 2024

Good food & comfortable

Stayed in April 2024

More clean towels available

Villa and private Onsen are amazing

Stayed in March 2024

The breakfast meal could have been a little better, I felt the amount and type of food served were slightly less than what I had expected. Mountain view was mostly just looking at trees, not a real mountain.

It was wonderful that they had an outdoor onsen pool by the riverside where you can see and listen to the man-made waterfall. The number of private family onsens were also pretty good, less waiting time for a private onsen bath.

Stayed in March 2024

A little tough to get to from Fukuoka, might be easier to get to from other cities like Kumamoto

Amazing service, great food, in a location with great vibes

Stayed in March 2024

Check out time 10:00 is too early.

Rooms are large and comfortable. Beautiful scenery( next to small running stream), nice garden.

Stayed in March 2024

Multiple bath, public and private. The principal one is mixed but you can use private bath, or non-mixed public bath. It is nice near the river.

Stayed in March 2024

The English proficiency of employees should continue to improve.

The room facilities and the view outside the window are very good. The family outdoor bathroom is very quiet and beautiful.

Stayed in March 2024

Breakfast (a classic Japanese breakfast with no other options) was very early (until 08:30) which is not very convenient if you came there to relax and unwind.

The facilities and the public and private onsens were great. Dinner was exceptional. A wonderful place to relax and rest.

Stayed in March 2024

Breakfast was great. Found dishes to eat despite my gluten allergy.

Stayed in March 2024

The service from the staff was excellent from the moment we were met in the car park. The rooms were located next to the stream so had a great vista. The meals were a good variety of local cuisine. Loved the women’s only time in the outdoor spas.

Stayed in March 2024

To say we didn’t like it is wrong but we struggled to know what we were supposed to do with some of the food - some required cooking at the table, and we weren’t sure which condiment went with which dish.

The staff are extremely helpful and welcoming. The riverside onsen is beautiful. The food is authentic Japanese cuisine.

Stayed in March 2024

The typical ryokan Kaiseki dinner, while impressive in its presentation and plentiful, was just okay. Three of their outdoor pools are for mixed gender use, but they are reserved for female guests only between 20:00-22:00. I wish they also reserved a time during the day so we could enjoy the lovely natural surroundings in daylight. One minor wish is to have western chairs in the room for some of us that have difficulty with sitting on the tatami floor.

Enjoyed the quaint garden path along the river on the property. There were many baths (with great water quality), some of which are private, but with no extra charge. The outdoor pools were heavenly, one of which was by the riverside and a waterfall view. The room was clean and huge with two very comfortable twin beds and a balcony. The Japanese-style breakfast was great, although if one wants a western style, it may be a problem. The service was impeccable. You couldn’t ask for more pleasant and helpful staff.

Stayed in March 2024

This was our favourite hotel on our 3 week trip to Japan. The staff are so sweet and accommodating, we had the traditional Japanese dinner and breakfast which was wonderful to try all different foods. The Onsen’s are beautiful and we got to try 2 different private ones. Couldn’t recommend more.

Stayed in March 2024

Great location amidst the mountains of kumamoto prefecture, with the river it makes for a beautiful scenery. The onsens are great and there is even a swimming pool if you just want to exercise. Food is good, it’s nice to experience a traditional diner and breakfast.

Stayed in March 2024

onsen ,it's very gorgeous

Stayed in March 2024

the rooms were clean, good onsen experience

Stayed in February 2024

Food was not the best we had. A little disappointing not to have onsen egg for breakfast.

We booked oku no yu as it was one of the only properties in kurokawa to offer a private onsen in our room, which was worth the price itself. The open air public bath with waterfall view was also one of the best we've experienced.

Stayed in March 2024

I wish our room was a bit more cozier. Given the cold rainy weather, it would've been nice if it had a kotatsu or another heat source.

Breakfast and dinner was definitely one of the highlights of our stay! All the food was so good! Facilities were clean and they had a lot of variety of baths to try out. The property was well kept and really kept with the traditional feel. One thing I really enjoyed was the onsen boiled eggs (100 yen each) near the parking lot! That was a fun find. Staff were really helpful and friendly!

Stayed in February 2024

The room was a bit hot during sleeping.

Stayed in February 2024