Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 355 reviews
Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su sits in the Tamatsukuri hot-spring quarter of Matsue and evokes a nostalgic Japanese ryokan with a restrained, wa‑modern lobby. All guest rooms are private Japanese-style or Japanese-bed rooms, and the property offers room-only or breakfast plans. Facilities are practical: a small communal lounge, beverage corner, vending machine, rental bicycles and a compact free space; seasonal color yukata are available. The wooden construction emphasizes warmth over large modern trappings. This compact ryokan with onsen in Matsue focuses on simple, private accommodation.
The onsen is fed directly from the Tamatsukuri spring as a source‑flowing (gensen kakenagashi) bath, promoted locally for its beauty‑enhancing waters; the spring’s mineral composition is primarily sodium‑calcium sulfate‑chloride. The bathing area is intimate and set up to serve a few guests at a time; baths are for registered guests only (no independent day‑use). Two shower booths and wooden fittings reflect the property’s traditional scale and modest footprint, offering a quiet, authentic soaking experience rather than a large public spa.
Located in the Tamatsukuri district, the guest house is a short drive from JR Tamatsukuri Onsen station and about thirty minutes by road from Izumo Airport, making it a practical base for visiting the Adachi Museum of Art, Matsue Castle and the wider San’in coast. The house’s modest size and economical plans suit solo travellers, couples and small groups seeking straightforward, locally rooted accommodation; staff assist with local directions and reservations, and breakfast offerings often highlight local ingredients. This ryokan with onsen Shimane offers a focused onsen experience in a traditionally framed setting.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Onsen Guest House Aobato no Su
Positive Reviews
Friendly, attentive staff
Multiple guests praised the staff and owner for being helpful, welcoming and accommodating — from detailed check‑ins and shuttle help to recovering lost items and offering warm personal service.
Excellent, clean onsen
The hot springs are frequently described as clean, comfortable and well‑tempered — a highlight for many visitors; small onsen baths still provided a relaxing soak and sometimes felt private.
Authentic cultural atmosphere
Reviewers enjoyed the traditional ryokan experience: yukatas provided, Japanese breakfasts, and memorable live performances (shamisen/folk music) by an elderly staff member that added charm.
Clean, pleasant facilities and rooms
Many guests found the property spotless with pleasant common areas and comfortable tatami rooms or futons (room sizes vary); lounge and communal spaces were noted as attractive and relaxing.
Good value and convenient services
Several reviewers felt this was a well‑priced alternative to larger ryokans, noting extras like free parking, occasional shuttle service to the station, and good location near the town/river area and local eateries.
Negative Reviews
Challenging public transport access
Multiple reviews mentioned that the property can be difficult to reach without a car: the nearest train station may be a long walk and buses are infrequent (e.g. about hourly), so planning is required.
Very small or dorm‑style single rooms
Some single/super‑single rooms are described as capsule‑like or very compact with limited storage space — not suitable for large luggage and some guests found the beds or futons uncomfortable.
Thin walls and noise issues
A number of guests reported hearing noise from adjacent rooms or from floors above, in some cases needing earplugs to sleep; noise can affect weekend stays when upstairs rooms are active.
Limited bathing capacity and shared facilities
The onsen is small and sometimes limited to a few people at once (reported 4‑person limit), causing waits; some room types rely on a single shared bathroom or few toilets, which guests found inconvenient.
Few nearby amenities and bathing restrictions
Guests warned there are no convenience stores or supermarkets very close by and limited late‑night dining options. Additionally, the property is not tattoo‑friendly (no private alternative), which prevented some guests from using the public bath.
Frequently Asked Questions
All rooms are private; room types range from single to Japanese-style rooms that can sleep up to four guests on futons. Children are not permitted at this property.
The property uses Tamatsukuri’s natural spring for its baths. The onsen is small and mainly communal; private exclusive bookings are not routinely offered, so ask reception for availability.
A free shuttle to the nearest JR station is available on request. For airport transfers guests normally use taxi or public transfer to the station then the ryokan shuttle or a short taxi.
Izumo Airport is the closest and is roughly a 30‑minute drive; airports near Yonago/Miho require a longer drive (around 40–60 minutes). From airports most guests take a taxi or bus to a local station and continue by train or ryokan shuttle.
English‑speaking staff are available to assist with directions and local recommendations.
Guests can borrow yukata and enjoy a wood‑style lounge designed to evoke a nostalgic ryokan atmosphere; staff sometimes offer local folk performances or regional recommendations.
The ryokan sits in Tamatsukuri Onsen and is close to Izumo Tamatsukuri Historical Park, Lake Shinji and the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum; the Adachi Museum of Art is a longer drive but commonly visited from the area.
The property offers bike rental and free on‑site parking, and local buses and taxis serve the area. Many guests arrive via JR Tamatsukuri‑Onsen Station, about a short taxi ride away.
Standard check‑in begins at 16:00 and the latest arrivals are normally accepted by around 22:00; check‑out is by 10:00. Please notify reception in advance if you expect to arrive late.
Pets are not permitted at the ryokan. Breakfast is offered and the staff can arrange local dinner boxes or recommend nearby restaurants and convenience stores within walking distance.