Kutsurogi-no-Yado Nanakawa
9,5/10 Exceptional - Based on 257 reviews
Kutsurogi-no-Yado Nanakawa sits within the compact ryokan cluster of Yufuin, a short walk from the lake and the main shopping street, and presents itself as a set of private maisonette-style units rather than a single large hotel. Each maisonette is arranged over two levels with a living room in Japanese style and a separate sleeping area, and many room types include their own attached hot spring facilities — both indoor and an open-air outdoor bath are available in selected units. The property is small and operates with a focus on individual units and shared communal baths on the compound.
Rooms combine traditional tatami living areas with Western beds upstairs, a private terrace and basic in-room amenities such as a refrigerator, TV and complimentary internet; guests are provided yukata for on-property wear and toiletries in the bathrooms. Dinner is typically served as a multi-course seasonal menu reflecting local produce and regional beef when offered, while breakfast follows Japanese-style service. In addition to the private in-room baths, guests also have access to several public onsen facilities within the wider compound that are arranged by rotation so visitors can sample multiple pools during a stay.
The location makes this ryokan convenient for sightseeing in Yufuin and for short transfers to the JR station; some guests report a short complimentary shuttle or easy taxi access depending on arrival method. The layout and private bathing options suit couples and families seeking a ryokan with onsen in Yufuin and, specifically, a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita for those prioritizing in-room hot spring privacy. Staff assistance, small-scale service and proximity to the lake and floral village define the practical experience rather than large-scale facilities.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kutsurogi-no-Yado Nanakawa
Positive Reviews
Exceptional, friendly staff
Many reviews praise the attentive and warm service: staff provide personalized attention, help with luggage and pick-up, remember preferences, use translation tools to assist non-Japanese guests, and make stays feel welcoming and special.
Outstanding onsen experience
Private in-room onsens (indoor and outdoor) were repeatedly highlighted as a major benefit. Guests enjoyed the quality of the spring water, solo hot-spring experiences, and access to additional public onsens within the complex.
Delicious traditional cuisine
Kaiseki dinners and breakfasts received consistent praise for being sumptuous, high-quality and thoughtfully prepared; staff were flexible in accommodating preferences and helping guests appreciate unfamiliar dishes.
Excellent location and peaceful setting
The ryokan sits beside Lake Kinrin and within a short walk of the shopping street and Yufuin Floral Village. Guests enjoyed quiet morning walks, a small garden, and an overall peaceful, traditional environment.
Spacious, clean rooms with good amenities
Many guests reported large, spotless rooms (including two-storey mansionette family rooms) with tatami areas, thoughtful amenities like skincare items and haori, and comfortable indoor facilities.
Negative Reviews
Difficult to find / unclear signage
Several guests found the property hard to locate at first: parking is set away from the main street, Japanese-only signs or name differences on booking caused confusion, and directions for non-Japanese visitors could be improved.
Communication and booking limitations
Some guests could not reach the hotel by phone before arrival to arrange transfers, and a few experienced limited dinner/breakfast time-slot availability when returning later, with restricted ability to pre-book meals on early arrival.
Price/value and extra payment fees
A number of reviewers felt the stay was expensive relative to value; one guest noted an unexpected 3.5% surcharge when choosing to pay in a foreign currency rather than local yen.
Occasional food or dining issues
While meals were generally praised, isolated complaints included an over-grilled/cold salmon and overly bright lighting during dinner that reduced the expected ambiance.
Comfort and minor dated elements
A few guests mentioned dated aspects of the property and requested improvements in small details (for example, preferable yukata fabric), suggesting attention to some comfort items could enhance the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maisonette rooms vary in size and typically accommodate between 2 and 5 guests; capacity depends on the room type so please specify the number and ages of all guests when booking.
Each maisonette includes its own private indoor and open-air hot spring bath, and guests also have access to nearby public baths within the compound; note that public-bath access may be restricted for guests with visible tattoos while private in-room baths remain available.
Yes — the ryokan offers station/bus terminal pick-up on request; the transfer from Yufuin is brief (about 10 minutes), so inform the property of your arrival time in advance.
From Oita Airport you can take a direct bus to Yufuin (around 50–60 minutes) and then use the ryokan’s short pick-up, while other airports require a mix of train or express bus to Yufuin followed by the ryokan transfer.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; if you need English assistance please request this ahead of time so the ryokan can prepare support where possible.
The ryokan serves a Japanese breakfast and a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner featuring seasonal ingredients and local Bungo beef, with meals served in the compound dining area (often at a sister dining house).
Standard check-in is in the mid-afternoon and check-out is by late morning (check-in windows are typically from 15:00 to around 17:30 and check-out by 11:00); the ryokan asks guests to provide an estimated arrival time and transport method when booking.
Private in-room onsens are provided with each maisonette so no separate reservation is required for private bathing; public/shared baths are communal and generally not offered for exclusive privatization, and pets are not allowed on the property.
The ryokan sits a very short walk from Lake Kinrin and is close to Yufuin’s main shopping street, museums (such as Yufuin Museum and Chagall-related sites) and floral-village areas, making it convenient for short walking outings.
Free wired/Wi‑Fi access is available in rooms and private parking is provided (use of sister-inn parking may apply); Yufuin’s shops, cafes and small supermarkets are within a short walk of the ryokan for basic supplies.