Gekkoju Kurokawa

9.7

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.7/10, based on 75 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 Current ryokan	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	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 3:00 PM

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Hot Spring Town Private Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

869-2402 Kumamoto, Minamioguni, Manganji 6777-2, Japan

Staff 9,7/10

Facilities 9,7/10

Cleanliness 9,8/10

Comfort 9,8/10

Value for money 9,4/10

Location 9,4/10

Private Open-Air BathsGuest rooms are known for private open-air hot spring baths with a secluded feel.

Quiet Hillside SettingSet above the main onsen area, it offers a calmer, more secluded atmosphere.

Small Luxury FeelWith only a limited number of rooms, the stay feels exclusive and peaceful.

Kurokawa Onsen BaseWell placed for enjoying the Kurokawa Onsen area while staying slightly apart.

Traditional Modern DesignJapanese-style interiors are paired with polished modern comfort for a refined ryokan stay.

Couples-Friendly RetreatPrivate baths and a tranquil setting make it especially appealing for couples.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and in-room bathing are the main draw, so one night works for arrival, dinner, private baths, and breakfast; two nights only if you want a slower onsen rhythm, spa time, and a short Kurokawa stroll without rushing onward travel.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a high-end destination ryokan for a quiet 1 to 2 night Kurokawa Onsen stay, not as a practical sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Remote arrivalAccess is bus-and-shuttle oriented rather than rail-convenient, so luggage and timing need planning.

Limited base valueThe area suits short onsen-focused stays more than a long regional sightseeing base.

Minimal town walkabilityIt sits outside the central Kurokawa cluster, so casual evening wandering is less easy on foot.

Restaurant Luna Piena (on-site)

on-site

Main on-site dining venue with scenic restaurant seating option.

In-Room Dining (on-site)

on-site

Private guest-room meal service is available instead of restaurant dining.

Yamatake (nearby)

nearbyabout 5 min drive

Popular nearby local restaurant for natural yam and countryside cooking.

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 via Kurokawa Onsen bus stop, then a short local pickup or taxi to the ryokan. For many travelers, Aso Kumamoto Airport or Fukuoka Airport are the most useful air gateways depending on flight options and onward bus plans.

Aso Stationstation
17 kmabout 50–70 min by car depending on conditionsabout 50–80 min by bus or taxi connection, best checked locally
This is the most useful rail gateway if arriving by JR. From here, continue by bus to Kurokawa Onsen or take a taxi if you prefer a simpler transfer.
Yufuin Stationstation
29 kmabout 50–70 min by carabout 70–110 min by bus connection, best checked locally
Helpful for travelers combining Yufuin and Kurokawa Onsen. It is not the closest rail option, but it can be a practical transfer point on some sightseeing itineraries.
Kurokawa Bus Stopbus
120 mabout 8–15 min on foot if using a light bagabout 3–5 min by taxi
Useful as a nearby local stop within the Kurokawa Onsen area, but exact bus usage depends on the service pattern for your date. Practical mainly as an alternative local stop rather than the main intercity arrival point.
Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stopbus
290 mabout 10–20 min on foot depending on luggage and routeabout 5 min by taxi or ryokan pickup
This is the key last-mile public transport stop for the ryokan area. Best for guests using intercity buses; a pickup or short taxi ride is usually the easiest final transfer with luggage.
Aso Kumamoto Airportairport
38 kmabout 70–90 min by caroften around 2–3 hours with bus connections, depending on the day
Usually the most convenient airport if your priority is minimizing road transfer time to the ryokan area. Good choice for a taxi, rental car, or bus-based arrival via Kurokawa Onsen.
Fukuoka Airportairport
85 kmabout 2–2.5 hours by caroften about 2.5–4 hours with onward bus connections
A strong airport option because it often has broader flight access and some convenient onward bus patterns toward Kurokawa Onsen. Often preferable for international travelers or those starting from Fukuoka.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Private baths in every suiteEach of the eight detached villas includes its own indoor bath and open-air bath, so you can soak whenever you like without sharing with other guests. That makes the stay especially appealing for couples or travelers who value privacy.
Rare sense of seclusionOnly eight villas are spread across a large forested hillside, which gives the property a calm, exclusive feel that is hard to find in busier onsen towns. It suits guests who want to fully switch off rather than stay somewhere lively.
Memorable mountain viewsSeveral villas are designed to open toward the surrounding Kyushu mountain scenery, and the baths are a major part of that experience. The setting is especially attractive if you care as much about the view as the hot spring itself.
Distinctive room designsThe villas are not copy-paste units: some highlight an irori hearth, one has a cave-style open-air bath, and the top-category villa is positioned for especially dramatic moon and sky views. Choosing the right room here can make the stay feel very personal.
Strong adults-only luxury moodThe property leans into a quiet, polished atmosphere rather than a family-resort feel, with spacious standalone accommodation and a slower pace. It works well for a special occasion, honeymoon, or one-night splurge focused on the ryokan itself.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Expensive for many budgetsThis is a luxury ryokan, and even standard pricing starts at a level that puts it firmly in special-occasion territory for many travelers. If you mainly want to experience Kurokawa Onsen without spending heavily, there are easier options.
Not the easiest for town strollsThe ryokan sits on a hillside outside the heart of the onsen village, so it feels more secluded but less convenient for casually walking between baths, shops, and cafes. Guests who want to roam the town repeatedly may find the location less practical.
Best experience depends on room choiceBecause the villas differ quite a bit in layout, bath style, and outlook, the stay can vary depending on which one you book. Travelers who reserve without comparing room types carefully may miss the specific atmosphere they expected.
Less suited to travelers seeking shared onsen cultureThe appeal here is heavily centered on private in-room bathing and villa seclusion rather than mingling in a big communal bath scene. If you enjoy the classic social rhythm of a traditional ryokan, this may feel too self-contained.
Remote feel can be a drawbackIts peaceful mountain setting is part of the charm, but it also means the property feels more isolated, especially for guests relying on public transport or wanting flexible evening plans. This stay works best when you are happy to make the ryokan the main event.

Current position: 4th out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

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 Current ryokan	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