Kannawaso
8,2/10 Excellent - Based on 58 reviews
Kannawaso sits in the Kannawa Onsen district of Beppu, offering a compact, traditional ryokan experience focused on bathing culture and personal hospitality. The inn provides tatami-floored guest rooms set up for futon sleeping, simple furnishings and dedicated spaces for meals; some room types include a small sitting area. Staff communicate in English to varying degrees and provide practical local advice for exploring the hot-spring circuit. Shared public areas include a modest lounge and a staffed reception; free Wi‑Fi and on-site parking are available, and the location places guests within easy walking distance of Beppu’s steam-lined streets and main hot-spring attractions.
Bathing is the core attraction: the property operates a hot spring sourced from the Kannawa area with a communal bathing room and at least one reservable family bath that guests may use privately by indicating occupancy with a door sign. The mineral-rich waters and the surrounding steam vents create a distinctly local onsen atmosphere rather than a resort-style spa, and facilities are arranged to emphasise traditional bathing etiquette. For travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen Beppu, this balance of communal ritual and the option for private soaking makes the property practical for couples, families and small groups.
Meals follow a homestyle ryokan pattern: guests can choose plans that include multi-course Japanese dinners and set breakfasts featuring regional ingredients prepared by the kitchen and served in the dining room or in-room where available. Practical details shown by the property include check-in from 15:00 to 21:00 and check-out between 06:30 and 10:00, non-smoking rooms, and friendly, small-scale service; space is limited so early communication about arrival and family-bath reservations is recommended. The unassuming character and convenient position near thermal landmarks make it a straightforward choice if you want a modest ryokan with private onsen Ōita while exploring Kannawa’s historic hot-spring neighbourhood.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Kannawaso
Positive Reviews
Private onsen (kashikiri) available
The property offers bookable private hot-spring baths that many guests praised as relaxing and convenient (often free to reserve by flipping a sign). Several reviewers said the onsen water was excellent and a highlight of the stay.
Very friendly and helpful staff/owners
Hosts are repeatedly described as warm, helpful and attentive — assisting with advice on local sights, communicating via English notes or translation apps, drying luggage, and going out of their way to care for guests.
Excellent onsen-district location
Guests appreciated the central location in the onsen district: easy walking access to springs and top tourist spots, and good proximity to local attractions and restaurants.
Delicious, authentic meals
Dinner and breakfast (local specialties/Japanese-style) are mentioned frequently as tasty and well prepared; some guests booked stays specifically for the included meals.
Clean, authentic ryokan atmosphere
Many reviewers noted the ryokan’s charming, traditional character and that it is kept clean and welcoming despite older facilities; rooms are described as cozy and the overall stay as an authentic experience.
Negative Reviews
Bedding and sleep comfort issues
Several guests found the futon/pillows or tatami mattress uncomfortable (some side sleepers struggled with firmness or pillow shape), with a few improvising their own solutions; one guest also mentioned noisy footsteps from other guests affecting sleep.
Access times, curfew and limited opening hours
Multiple reviews mention restricted access hours (doors closed mid‑day and a curfew around 23:00), which can complicate luggage drop‑off, late returns or early arrivals if you expect flexible access.
Small or limited bathroom amenities
Some guests reported small bathrooms or missing fixtures (for example a toilet without a wash basin) and occasional confusion about the bathing facilities’ operation or layout.
Communication and service misunderstandings
A few visitors experienced language barriers or misunderstandings (staff not fluent in English, needing to request basic items like blankets), which led to frustration for some guests.
Occasional practical inconveniences
Other minor issues reported include having to make beds yourself at times, limited luggage handling during closed hours, and narrow/awkward approach roads — conveniences that may matter to some travellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most traditional rooms are arranged for two guests, and the property lists a triple option for larger parties; check the room details when booking.
Yes, Kannawaso operates an onsen with public bathing facilities and guests report availability of at least one reservable private (kashikiri) bath.
No regular airport shuttle is listed; guests typically arrive by airport bus, train or taxi and the staff can advise or help arrange local transfers.
Oita Airport is roughly 30–35 km away; common routes are airport bus or train to Beppu followed by a local bus or taxi to the Kannawa onsen area.
Staff commonly provide English assistance and the property is reported to have multilingual support (English/Chinese/Korean), though complex requests may benefit from a translation app.
Check-in is from 15:00 (please notify your expected arrival time in advance) and check-out is by 10:00; an overnight access restriction applies between 23:00 and 06:30.
Yes, guests report a reservable private bath that is booked on a first-come/first-served basis—ask staff on arrival for how to use it.
Pets are not permitted, and whole-property privatization is not listed as a standard option; contact the property directly for special requests.
The ryokan offers meals and many guests choose plans with traditional Japanese breakfast and local-style dinner; confirm meal inclusion when you book.
Kannawaso sits in Kannawa Onsen, within walking distance of the Hells of Beppu (Yama Jigoku), jigoku-mushi steam workshops and local eateries, with convenience stores and small shops nearby—ask the staff for recommendations and directions.