🗺️ Kurokawa Onsen黒川温泉

Kurokawa Onsen is located along the banks of the Tanohara River, which flows through the valley on the northern side of Mount Aso. With the concept that "the entire Kurokawa Onsen is a large ryokan," the inns utilize the geographical location of the mountain village, treating each ryokan as an "independent guest room" and the streets connecting them as "corridors," creating a unique atmosphere in the Kurokawa Onsen area. Each ryokan features outdoor baths filled with the charm of the mountains, and they also offer a special ticket called "Nyutou Tegata" that allows guests to experience a tour of the outdoor hot springs. This is one of the many appealing aspects that make Kurokawa Onsen increasingly attractive. Kurokawa Onsen is also a historically significant hot spring therapy destination. During the Edo period, it was used by officials of the feudal government to host guests in "Okuyado." There is a local folktale about the "Muten Taisai Jizo," which tells of how the hot spring source was discovered with guidance from the Jizo Bodhisattva. The rich variety of mineral waters is another major feature of Kurokawa Onsen. Analysis by the Kurokawa Onsen Tourism Ryokan Association indicates that there are a total of seven types of mineral waters, including weakly acidic simple springs, weakly alkaline simple springs, sulfur springs, bicarbonate springs, sulfate-chloride springs, iron-containing springs, and acidic springs. Visitors can enjoy a hot spring tour in the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere of the onsen town, indulging in the various types of mineral waters.

Even if you don't stay overnight, you can rent a yukata and stroll around the picturesque hot spring town and enjoy the hot springs. If you purchase a "nyūtō tegata" (entrance ticket), you can enjoy various types of outdoor hot springs all at once. Every year, the "Yumei" event transforms the hot spring town into a dreamlike world with bamboo lanterns. The lighting event continues from winter into the following spring. This hot spring resort, representing Kumamoto Prefecture, is known as the "most beautiful hot spring town in Japan."