Kunisakisou
8,9/10 Excellent - Based on 547 reviews
Kunisakisou sits in the steam-lined streets of Kannawa, Beppu, presented as a renovated Japanese inn that blends retro charm with contemporary comfort. Rooms range from traditional tatami suites to newly refurnished villas with semi-open-air bathing facilities and modern twin rooms, and public areas are described as calm, light-filled spaces with a small bar and lounge. As a ryokan with onsen in Beppu, Ōita it positions itself as a gateway to the town’s hot-spring culture, with concierge-curated local suggestions and easy access to the nearby “hells” and steam observatories that define the area.
The property operates natural, free-flowing gensen kakenagashi hot springs drawn at roughly 260 litres per minute, with water chemistry described as slightly acidic sodium chloride at about pH 3.2; baths overflow rather than recirculate. Facilities include an inner bath, open-air baths and a reservable family/private bath for exclusive 50-minute sessions, with typical bathing hours extending from late afternoon into the night. Several room types and select villas offer semi-open-air or private bathing options directly connected to guest accommodation, and on-site bathing is framed as therapeutic and skin-nourishing in its presentation.
Dining highlights centre on local produce and regional specialties prepared with “jigoku” steaming techniques and occasional seafood and Oita wagyu features; breakfast options include Japanese-set meals and local accompaniments. Practical amenities cited by the property include on-site parking (limited per room), all-area Wi‑Fi and front-desk assistance for arranging sightseeing and transport. Quiet communal areas, attentive service and room variety make the venue suitable for couples and families seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita Prefecture while exploring Beppu’s thermal attractions.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kunisakisou
Positive Reviews
Multiple private and rooftop onsen options
Guests praised the variety of hot‑spring baths, including private/family onsens and rooftop baths. Private baths can be reserved and were described as a highlight of the stay.
Excellent traditional meals and breakfasts
Many reviewers mentioned delicious kaiseki dinners and plentiful Japanese breakfasts with a wide variety of dishes; meals (when included) were repeatedly described as high quality.
Attentive, friendly and helpful staff
Staff were noted as extremely kind, helpful and service‑oriented; several guests were able to communicate in English or with translation aids and appreciated the welcome drinks (hot sake) and morning coffee.
Authentic, comfortable traditional rooms
Rooms with tatami and futon offered a very typical ryokan experience. Reviewers found the rooms clean, calm, spacious and comfortable overall.
Convenient location for Beppu attractions
The ryokan is well located for visiting the nearby 'hells' (onsen attractions) and close to bus stops; guests found the area quiet yet within walking distance of main points of interest.
Negative Reviews
Futon comfort varies (thin mattresses)
A number of guests said the futons were thin or not as plush as expected; while most still slept adequately, some found the bedding less comfortable.
Breakfast/meal options for children limited
Several families noted that the Japanese‑style breakfast and children’s offerings may not suit European/Western children and could be limited for picky eaters.
Bath views and shared‑bath size
Some reviewers felt the view from certain baths could be improved and that the public/shared baths were smaller than anticipated.
Access and parking can be tricky
A few guests warned that bus schedules and routes to the ryokan can vary by day and be confusing, and the road to the parking spot is narrow with many pedestrians to watch for.
Occasional extra/unclear charges and meal issues
Isolated reports mentioned unexpected fees (e.g. a small web/wifi charge), extra charges for in‑room baths that were not a balcony onsen, and one guest experienced a meal‑related illness and difficulty cancelling preordered meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from twin rooms for two to traditional Japanese rooms that sleep up to three to four people on futons; cribs and extra beds are not available, so check each room’s listed capacity when booking.
The property uses 100% natural hot spring water and offers public indoor and open-air baths as well as private/family baths and a rooftop view bath that can be reserved for private use.
There is no dedicated hotel shuttle; the resort is served by a limousine bus from Oita Airport (about 50 minutes) and is roughly a 15-minute taxi ride from JR Beppu Station.
The primary language is Japanese; the hotel provides English information online and staff can assist in English in many cases, but advanced or complex requests are best noted in advance.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 (3:00 PM) to 17:00 (5:00 PM) and check-out is between 07:00 and 10:00, with final check-out at 10:00.
Private/family baths are available to reserve; some have limited complimentary time and additional use may require a fee, so ask the front desk when you arrive or at booking.
Pets are not permitted on the premises.
Convenience stores and small shops are within walking distance in the Kannawa area, while larger supermarkets are a short drive into central Beppu.
Meals are served in the dining room and typically feature traditional multi-course dishes using local seafood and 'hell-steamed' ingredients; breakfast is offered and dietary requests can be accommodated with prior notice.
Kannawa and Beppu’s attractions are very close, including the Beppu 'Hells' (Jigoku) such as Yama Jigoku, the Yukemori Observatory, and hands-on hell-steaming workshops, all reachable on foot or by short taxi ride.