Hot Spring Hotels in Aso

This onsen ryokan, right in the heart of Uchinomaki Onsen town, gets a perfect score from us! We encountered incredibly thoughtful staff and a warm taxi driver. Knowing we had to catch the JR train the next day, the front desk auntie went above and beyond to help us arrange a taxi, even standing outside anxiously waiting with us. Once the taxi arrived, she repeatedly urged the driver to speed up. The driver, a kind grandpa, even used a translator on the way to constantly reassure us that we would make it in time, and expressed his longing to visit China. This was truly the highlight of our trip. As for the hotel itself, it's a well-established ryokan. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, each featuring an indoor onsen with direct, free-flowing hot spring water that leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth. We loved the large, traditional Japanese-style decor. There are also two private onsen that require advance booking, as well as a large public onsen. We later discovered it was even a filming location for a racing manga! Additionally, there's an outdoor foot bath. Dining was a delightful surprise. We enjoyed Wagyu shabu-shabu, and the children's meal even included Wagyu yakiniku. Breakfast offered the famous local Mizunashi chicken dish, which completely won over my taste buds. On the first floor, there's also a preserved, old-fashioned Japanese-style reception room in the lobby, made with high-quality wood, which guests can visit.

The location is a bit out of the way. From JR Aso Station, you can take a bus and get off at Uchimaki Station (about 20 minutes) and then walk for five minutes to get there. The surrounding environment of the hotel is very quiet, surrounded by countryside, the interior decoration is exquisite, and the rooms are very comfortable. There is a small courtyard landscape in the middle, which is very suitable for sitting on a chair and dazing. There is a family hot spring available for use. The hotel's meals are mostly Kumamoto's local cuisine, which is very suitable to my taste. The service attitude is very good. There is only one Nepali guy who can speak English, but the service attitude is really warm and impressive. All in all highly recommended!

The breakfast was delicious and substantial. The hot spring is private, but it's first-come, first-served. You have to shower outside the room, and it closes quite early. If you're going as a couple, remember you won't be able to shower after your intimate moments, so bring wet wipes for your partner.

It was very good. It was my first time staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan with tatami rooms, so I wasn't used to it at first, but I slept well and it was very quiet. The public and private onsen baths were both excellent, and the meals included with the stay were also well-arranged. Recommended!

The hotel's location is excellent, the rooms are spacious, and the breakfast offers a great variety. The service is superb, and it's very conveniently located. It's probably the most luxurious hotel in the area, complete with indoor and outdoor hot springs!