Gekkoju Kurokawa
9,8/10 Exceptional - Based on 54 reviews
Gekkoju Kurokawa sits discreetly within the forested slopes of Kurokawa Onsen, offering eight individually themed standalone villas across a roughly 14,850 m² site. Each accommodation blends contemporary Japanese design with natural materials, yielding between about 88 and 99 square metres of living space; layouts vary by room to create distinct experiences. Interiors emphasize wood, tatami, and large windows that frame the surrounding trees and night sky, allowing guests to move between indoor comfort and outdoor views without leaving the privacy of their suite.
Every villa includes both an indoor bath and outdoor open-air onsen fed by free-flowing source; many rooms feature private outdoor terraces with timber decks and rotenburo. The property also maintains a reservable mountain-top open-air bath with a 360-degree panorama of the Aso Kuju mountains and stars above, which can be booked for exclusive use. These features position the property as a ryokan with private onsen in Kumamoto, suitable for guests seeking secluded thermal bathing within the Kurokawa valley.
Dining follows a kaiseki-inspired approach highlighting Kyushu produce—Higo beef, seasonal seafood and local vegetables—served in-room or in intimate dining spaces to preserve privacy. On-site wellness options include tailored all-hand therapies and oil-based treatments that complement post-bath relaxation. Staff prioritise discreet, attentive service and the property’s small scale supports a slow-paced stay; guests commonly combine short forest walks, night bathing beneath the moon and relaxed multi-course meals to experience the cultivated calm of this ryokan with onsen, framed by the quiet mountain landscape of Kumamoto.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Gekkoju Kurokawa
Positive Reviews
Exceptional, attentive service
Many reviewers praised staff for being friendly, professional and highly attentive — helping with luggage, arranging shuttle rides, taking photos, catering to special requests (including for children) and providing thoughtful touches like goodbye gifts and surprise treats.
Outstanding food and in‑room dining
Guests repeatedly highlighted the high quality and creativity of the meals (kaiseki-style), noting excellent flavors (e.g. yuzu seasoning), generous portions, and the convenience of having large, carefully served meals delivered to the room.
Private and excellent onsen experiences
A frequent highlight was the private in‑room onsen (including unique cave/outdoor baths). Reviewers loved the views from rooms and sunsets while using private hot springs; public and reservable onsens were also described as top‑notch.
Beautiful rooms, facilities and privacy
The property, individual rooms and facilities were described as beautiful, well equipped and very private. Several guests enjoyed staying in different room styles and praised the overall tranquility and mountain setting.
Helpful logistics and thoughtful amenities
Guests appreciated practical services such as pick‑up from the bus stop, flexible shuttle timings, drink refills in rooms, large room sizes, and options like in‑room breakfast — all contributing to a comfortable, relaxing stay.
Negative Reviews
Onsen temperature issues
Multiple reviewers reported that some onsens (indoor and open‑air) were too hot and required guests to fine‑tune the temperature themselves; one guest noted there was no cold onsen option in their experience.
Occasional language limitations
A few guests mentioned that some international staff were not fully fluent in English, which made communication slightly harder for non‑Japanese speakers (described as a minor issue by reviewers).
Food handling and quality concerns for some dishes
A small number of reviews reported problems with food — examples include failure to respect allergy requests (oysters served despite prior notice), overly oily or tough cuts of meat, and cold dishes that tasted or smelled like they had been refrigerated.
Ventilation and indoor smoke from in‑room grilling
At least one guest experienced poor room ventilation during charcoal grilling: smoke filled the room, triggered a smoke alarm, and left a lingering burnt smell that affected sleep and comfort.
Rural drawbacks: insects and low lighting
A few reviewers noted expected mountain/rural issues such as more bugs than anticipated and very dark pathways at night that made walking around difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most rooms are designed for two guests with two semi-double beds; some suites provide extra space for families—check the specific room description for exact capacity.
Yes, every room includes both an indoor bath and an open-air hot spring bath fed directly from the source.
Yes; a mountain-top open-air bath on the grounds can be reserved exclusively, and each room’s onsen is private to that room.
Pickup is available between Gekkoju and the Kurokawa Onsen bus stop; for airport transfers you should travel to the town and use the pickup at the bus stop rather than expecting direct airport collection.
By car it’s roughly 59 km and about 1 hour 24 minutes from Kumamoto Airport; public buses and regional trains serve the area but usually require transfers to reach the Kurokawa bus stop for pickup.
English-speaking staff are available and some staff members speak Mandarin and other languages; notify the ryokan in advance if you need specific language support.
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00; please inform the ryokan of your expected arrival time no later than the day before so they can arrange pickup and prepare your room.
Pets are not accepted at Gekkoju.
Yes; the ryokan offers seasonal Kyushu cuisine in its restaurant and provides guest-room meal service—please advise of any dietary restrictions when booking.
Gekkoju is about 400 m from Kurokawa Onsen village and close to Aso-area attractions such as scenic drives and Kusasenri; the village has small shops for essentials, while larger supermarkets are in nearby towns and require a short drive.