Ryokan Nanjoen

8.9

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.9/10, based on 183 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Shinwaen	10.0/10	102
🥈 2nd	Kurokawa Onsen Oyado Noshiyu	9.5/10	996
🥉 3rd	Ryokan Misato	9.7/10	82
4th	Gekkoju Kurokawa	9.7/10	75
5th	Yamabiko Ryokan	9.5/10	235
6th	Okyakuya	9.3/10	414
7th	Fumoto Ryokan	9.3/10	404
8th	Hotel Yumeshizuku	9.2/10	628
9th	Sansō Hanayu, maison thermale céleste	9.4/10	58
10th	Tawarayama Onsen Ryokan Minawa	9.2/10	234
11th	Ryokan Kono-Yu	9.3/10	80
12th	Kosugian, Yamakawa Onsen	9.2/10	173
13th	Kurokawa-So	9.1/10	974
14th	Yamashinobu	9.1/10	853
15th	Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan	9.1/10	342
16th	Kyutei	9.2/10	87
17th	Yumerindo	9.1/10	276
18th	Ryotei Matsuya Honkan Suizenji	9.1/10	125
19th	Ryokan Wakaba	9.0/10	578
20th	Shikinosato Hanamura	9.0/10	292
21st	Fujiya	9.0/10	229
22nd	Hamazen Ryokan	8.9/10	2,233
23rd	Ryokan Yamanoyu	8.9/10	251
24th	Ryokan Nanjoen Current ryokan	8.9/10	183
25th	Oyado Daikonya	9.0/10	48
26th	Hanare no Yado Hanagokoro	8.8/10	1,307
27th	Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Ichinoi	8.8/10	1,038
28th	Shokinkan	9.1/10	14
29th	Sen-no-Mori	9.2/10	11
30th	Yunoyado Irifune	9.3/10	9
31st	Tsuetate Onsen Hotel Hizenya	8.7/10	752
32nd	Sato no Yu Waraku	8.8/10	39
33rd	Ryokan Hirayama	8.7/10	39
34th	Tamana Onsen Happouen	9.4/10	3
35th	Chalet de montagne Hibari d’Asagiri	8.9/10	6
36th	AsoTsuruya	8.5/10	80
37th	Takenokura Sansō, Hakusui Onsen	8.6/10	2
38th	Hikyou Shirakawagensen Sansou Takefue	8.4/10	5
39th	Tabinoyado Asonoyu	8.3/10	3
40th	Ryokoji Temple	5.2/10	1
41st	Yutorelo Yamaga	8.2/10	92
42nd	Wasuki Tsukasakan	8.1/10	231
43rd	Hotel Shosenkaku Romankan	7.4/10	9
44th	Yusai Bekkan	7.9/10	98
45th	Onyado Satsuki	7.8/10	63
46th	Shikino Mori	7.9/10	520
47th	Tabist Yamaga Onsen Yuyado Izumi	6.9/10	67
48th	Ryokan Yunosako	4.0/10	29
49th	Kikuchi Kanko Hotel	5.3/10	194
50th	Boyokaku	4.1/10	139
51st	Hirayama Onsen Ryokan Kadoya	3.5/10	67

Check-in from 2:00 PM

Hot Spring Town Mountain Setting Valley Scenery Hot Spring Bath Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

869-2402 Kumamoto, Minamioguni, Manganji 6612-1, Japan

Staff 9,0/10

Facilities 8,8/10

Cleanliness 8,8/10

Comfort 8,8/10

Value for money 8,6/10

Location 9,1/10

Kurokawa Onsen BaseIn the heart of Kurokawa Onsen, convenient for strolling the hot spring village.

Varied Hot SpringsMultiple bath types, including open-air, indoor, family, and guest-only onsen.

Private Bath OptionFamily bath availability adds flexibility for couples, families, or private soaking.

Traditional Ryokan FeelTatami rooms and classic design deliver a distinctly Japanese ryokan atmosphere.

Kaiseki Dinner FocusMulti-course Japanese meals are a recurring highlight for staying guests.

Bus Stop PickupPickup from Kurokawa Onsen bus stop supports easier arrival without a car.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsOnsen-town setting is the strongest stay driver here: arrive mid-afternoon, soak before dinner, sleep early, enjoy breakfast and morning baths, then stroll Kurokawa or continue onward. A second night works if you want a slower hot-spring rhythm or nearby Aso-area driving.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1 to 2 night Kurokawa Onsen stay for baths, ryokan meals, and easy onsen-town strolling rather than as a major sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Car access fussThe inn sits behind the Kurokawa Ryokan Association parking area, so arrival can feel less direct than a simple roadside hotel.

Limited long-stay baseKurokawa is excellent for baths and atmosphere, but the immediate area is small enough that many travelers finish its core experience in one night.

Not rail-convenientThis is not a station-area property. It suits bus or car travelers better than train-first itineraries with frequent luggage moves.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Private-feel counter or table seating for breakfast and dinner.

Iroriya (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Casual late-opening local spot with izakaya-style dishes.

Sumiyoshi Shokudo (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Small local eatery with country-style meals using local rice and vegetables.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive The most practical public-transport arrival is usually to reach Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stop and use the ryokan pick-up service if available, especially with luggage. For rail-based trips, Aso Station or Yufuin Station are the most useful onward transfer points, while Kumamoto Airport is typically the most useful flight arrival airport.

Aso Stationstation
17 kmabout 40–60 min by taxi depending on road conditionsabout 50–70 min by bus, plus waiting time
This is the most useful rail station on the Kumamoto side. Good for travelers coming via JR from Kumamoto, then continuing by bus or taxi to Kurokawa Onsen.
Yufuin Stationstation
29 kmabout 50–70 min by car or taxiabout 1.5–2 hours by bus connection, best checked locally
A practical alternative rail gateway from the Oita side. Useful if you are combining Yufuin and Kurokawa Onsen, but less convenient than arriving directly at Kurokawa Onsen by highway bus.
Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stopbus
120 mabout 5–10 min downhill/uphill in the village area, or use ryokan pick-up if arrangedabout 2–5 min by local shuttle or taximain gateway stop for direct and connecting buses into Kurokawa Onsen
This is the key arrival point for most travelers without a car. Ryokan Nanjoen indicates pick-up from the Kurokawa Onsen bus stop may be available with advance notice, which is especially helpful with luggage.
Minamioguni-machi Yakuba-maebus
7.9 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 10–15 min by taxiabout 15–25 min by local bus to the Kurokawa Onsen area, subject to schedule
Useful as a regional transfer stop when coming from Aso or Higo-Ozu side routes. Not the final stop most visitors want, but practical if direct buses to Kurokawa Onsen do not line up.
Aso Kumamoto Airportairport
38 kmabout 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr by car depending on route and conditionsabout 2.5–3.5 hours by bus connection, depending on timetable
Usually the most useful airport for reaching Ryokan Nanjoen from elsewhere in Japan. Best for travelers planning an airport bus connection or rental car pickup.
Oita Airportairport
71 kmabout 2–2.5 hours by caroften around 3.5–5 hours via Oita or Beppu and Yufuin transfers
Only worth considering if your itinerary already includes Oita, Beppu, or Yufuin. It is generally less straightforward for this ryokan than Kumamoto Airport or Fukuoka Airport.
Fukuoka Airportairport
86 kmabout 2.5–3.5 hours by car depending on trafficabout 3–4 hours by direct or connecting highway bus, depending on service day
A strong airport option because of broader flight choice and long-distance bus access toward Kurokawa Onsen. Especially useful if flight prices or schedules are better than Kumamoto.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Central Kurokawa positionIt sits right in Kurokawa Onsen at 6612-1 Manganji, making it easy to explore the village on foot. That convenience is especially valuable if you want to stroll between shops, baths, and the main onsen streets.
Several bath styles in one stayNanjoen offers multiple in-house bathing options, including gender-separated baths, family baths, and some rooms with their own hot spring bath. This gives you more flexibility than a ryokan with only one shared bath area.
Rooms with private onsen availableSome guestrooms include their own hot spring bath, which is a big plus for couples or guests who prefer a quieter soak. It also makes the experience easier if you value privacy over communal bathing.
Memorable multi-course mealsGuests regularly praise the elaborate kaiseki-style dinner and satisfying breakfast, with local flavors that feel tied to the Aso and Kumamoto area. The meal experience appears to be one of the ryokan's strongest highlights.
Warm, attentive hospitalityService is often described as thoughtful and hands-on, with staff helping with details like dietary requests, luggage, and arrival support. That level of care can make the stay feel more personal than a larger hotel.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Maintenance can feel unevenSome guests describe parts of the property as a bit dated or not as well maintained as competing ryokans in Kurokawa. If you are expecting a consistently refined luxury finish, this may disappoint.
English support may be limitedCommunication in English may not always be smooth, so travelers who rely on detailed verbal guidance could find interactions harder than at more international-facing properties. This matters more if you have specific requests or arrive late.
Traditional meals may not suit everyoneThe dinner is a major feature, but it can include regional items such as horse sashimi and a very substantial number of courses. Travelers with selective tastes may find the food experience less comfortable than enthusiasts of classic ryokan cuisine.
Noise-sensitive guests may strugglePast guest feedback suggests that room equipment or corridor noise can occasionally be noticeable at night. Light sleepers may prefer a property known for more sound insulation or newer room systems.
Better for atmosphere than modern luxuryNanjoen seems strongest on character, baths, and hospitality rather than sleek design or cutting-edge amenities. If your priority is a highly contemporary upscale ryokan, other options in the area may fit better.

Current position: 24th out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
19th	Ryokan Wakaba	9.0/10	578
20th	Shikinosato Hanamura	9.0/10	292
21st	Fujiya	9.0/10	229
22nd	Hamazen Ryokan	8.9/10	2,233
23rd	Ryokan Yamanoyu	8.9/10	251
24th	Ryokan Nanjoen Current ryokan	8.9/10	183
25th	Oyado Daikonya	9.0/10	48
26th	Hanare no Yado Hanagokoro	8.8/10	1,307
27th	Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Ichinoi	8.8/10	1,038
28th	Shokinkan	9.1/10	14
29th	Sen-no-Mori	9.2/10	11