Ryokan Kono-Yu
8,7/10 Excellent - Based on 4 reviews
Ryokan Kono‑Yu sits within the wooded Kurokawa hot‑spring area of Minamioguni and presents itself as a compact, traditionally styled property made up of individual Japanese houses and maisonettes. With nine rooms in total, accommodations favour tatami floors, futon bedding and simple living areas, and each room is arranged to feel like a private cottage rather than a standard hotel space. This intimate layout makes it an appealing ryokan with private onsen Kurokawa for travellers seeking quiet, room‑centred relaxation in Kumamoto.
The onsen offering is central to the experience: every room features a free‑flowing open‑air hot spring bath sourced from the property, and the ryokan also maintains gender‑segregated public baths plus a distinctive deep “standing bath” for communal bathing. Guests who prefer solitude can reserve a separate private open‑air bath for timed use; a footbath at the entrance provides a casual option for short soaks. Water quality is presented as 100% natural spring water, and house rules ask guests to wash before entering and to keep bathtub water clean.
Meals follow a course format focused on local Kumamoto ingredients and are served in the property’s dining areas, where traditional presentation and seasonal produce are emphasised; breakfast is offered in a multi‑dish Japanese style. Service is oriented to a small‑house rhythm—yukata are provided, staff handle room preparations such as futon setup, and a small souvenir corner is on site. The ryokan’s position within the Kurokawa cluster puts guests close to other hot‑spring routes and short drives to nearby viewpoints and local temples, making it a practical base for exploring the area’s onsen culture. ryokan with private onsen Kumamoto
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Frequently Asked Questions
Ryokan Kono-Yu has 9 rooms with a total capacity of about 45 guests; most room types accommodate 2–5 people, so check the specific room type for exact maximums.
Yes — every room includes its own private open-air onsen fed by the ryokan’s spring water.
The property offers gender-separated public indoor and open-air baths for guests (typically open 07:00–22:00) and a private open-air bath that can be reserved for 50 minutes between afternoon and evening hours.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00; some booking options list an arrival window so you should inform the ryokan of your estimated arrival time in advance.
The ryokan is best reached by car; it is roughly a 40-minute drive from JR Aso Station and is located in the Kurokawa Onsen area near local sights such as Meoto Falls and Lover’s Hill.
There is no widely advertised regular airport shuttle; guests usually arrive by private car, taxi or local bus — contact the ryokan or the Kurokawa tourist information center in advance to arrange pickups or timing advice.
The ryokan’s official information does not list English as a guaranteed service, though some guests report staff who speak some English; it’s advisable to prepare basic phrases or request assistance when booking.
Dinner and breakfast are typically included and served as Japanese course meals using local Kumamoto ingredients in the dining area; notify the ryokan ahead of time about any dietary restrictions or requests.
Pets are not allowed at the property; Kurokawa Onsen itself has small shops, souvenir and snack stores, and the tourist information center, while larger supermarkets are located in nearby towns — the front desk can give directions.
The ryokan sits in Kurokawa Onsen village with easy access to the town’s public baths, footbaths and shops, Meoto Falls, Jizō-yu, Lover’s Hill, and scenic views of the Kuju and Aso ranges for short drives or walks.