Onsen · Kyushu

Kurokawa Onsen

Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto♨ Simple spring, sulfur spring, chloride spring, hydrogen carbonate spring, sulfate spring, iron-containing spring, acidic spring, etc. (varies by inn and source)

Overview

An onsen village in the mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture at an elevation of about 700 m, known for hopping between outdoor baths. About 30 inns come together with the rural landscape as if they were a single ryokan, and the Nyuto Tegata bath pass lets you choose three outdoor baths to enjoy.

Ryokan line the Chikugo River, and the town has a calm atmosphere in which the lanes connecting the inns are seen as corridors linking the rooms of one ryokan. There are seven types of spring sources, and each inn has its own spring type and outdoor bath character. The Nyuto Tegata is valid for six months from purchase and can be bought at each ryokan or at Kaze no Ya, the ryokan association office.

Location: Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto
Official website: https://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/

Nearby area

Kumamoto & AsoWeather and what to wear in Kumamoto & Aso →

Tickets & tours you can book in advancePR

Day-Use Baths

Baths you can visit without staying

Public baths, day-use spas and foot baths open to non-staying visitors.

Ryokan day-use bath

Ikoi Ryokan

Price: Adults ¥800, children ¥600 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 8:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Private bath: Private baths available (10:00–15:00, adults ¥1,500, children ¥900, 40 minutes per room, no reservations)
Note: An inn that also accepts the Nyuto Tegata
Official site: https://www.ikoi-ryokan.com/price/

Ryokan day-use bath

Ryokan Okunoyu

Price: ¥700 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 8:30–14:00 (leave by 15:00)
Closed: Mondays and Fridays (irregular)
Note: Spring type: sodium-chloride-sulfate spring
Official site: https://www.okunoyu.com/spa/

Ryokan day-use bath

Yamamizuki

Price: ¥600 (as of October 2026)
Hours: 10:00–15:00 (outdoor bath)
Private bath: Private baths available (10:00–21:00, last entry 20:00, from ¥2,000 for 50 minutes)
Note: Spring type: simple spring. An inn that also accepts the Nyuto Tegata
Official site: https://yamamizuki.com/spa/

Prices and hours are as of the date shown and may change, with occasional closures. Check each facility’s official website before you go.

🖋 If you have tattoos

Policies vary by facility, so check with each facility

🔒 Private baths and in-room baths

Some inns have private baths available for day use (whether a reservation is needed and the fees differ by inn)

Spring

Spring type and features

♨ Simple spring, sulfur spring, chloride spring, hydrogen carbonate spring, sulfate spring, iron-containing spring, acidic spring, etc. (varies by inn and source)

It is described as having long been used for therapeutic bathing and loved as a hot spring that works well on injuries

Etiquette

Bathing etiquette

✓Pour hot water over yourself before getting into the bath
✓Do not put towels in the bath
✓Tie up long hair so it does not touch the water
✓Do not take photos in the bathing area
✓Do not bring food or drinks into the hot spring
✓Do not take photos at outdoor baths where photography is prohibited

Sights

Nearby sights

Kurokawa Onsen town

A rural onsen town with ryokan along the Chikugo River. Walk the lanes connecting the inns to hop between outdoor baths

Fireflies on the Chikugo River

Fireflies dance over the Chikugo River, which the whole onsen town works to conserve

Tips

Good to know

!One Nyuto Tegata per person. You may not be able to bathe due to crowding or cleaning
!Day-use bathing hours differ by inn, so going from morning to early afternoon gives you the most options
!Buses are infrequent, and the Kyushu Odan Bus requires a reservation

Access

Nearest station / bus stop: Kurokawa Onsen bus stop
From major cities and airports: Kumamoto City / Kumamoto Airport: Kyushu Odan Bus (reservation required) (About 150 minutes)
Fukuoka City: Highway bus (Fukuoka–Kurokawa Onsen Line) (About 180 minutes)
Yufuin Ekimae: Kyushu Odan Bus (About 100 minutes)

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Getting There

Getting there from major cities

Fukuoka (Hakata) → Kumamoto

Fastest: Fastest 32 min (about 40 min on the Sakura)

🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Kurokawa OnsenPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kurokawa Onsen on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Kumamoto & Aso

Zoo

Aso Cuddly Dominion

Kyushu ・ Kumamoto & Aso

A zoo in Aso City where you can interact with 350 animals of 60 species. It centers on animal shows and close-contact facilities with bear cubs, capybaras, and penguins. It's about 1.5 km from JR Aso Station, and highway buses between Kumamoto and Oita/Beppu stop in front of the park.

See all attractions →

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♨ Day use Adults ¥500, children ¥250, age 3 and under free (as of October 2026)

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♨ Day use Adults ¥500, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥250 (as of October 2026)

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Prices, hours, tattoo policies and spring types are based on official facility, municipal and tourism association information. They can change, so check the official websites before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-08

Kurokawa Onsen

Overview