6 Onsen in Kumamoto worth your time

A historic riverside hot spring town famous for its high-temperature waters and thousands of colorful carp streamers in spring.

What it is

• A hot spring district located on the border of Kumamoto and Oita prefectures.
• A chloride spring with water temperatures reaching approximately 100 degrees Celsius.
• Legend states the waters were used for the first bath of Emperor Ojin.
• Part of the Yaba-Hita-Hikosan Quasi-National Park featuring nineteen local inns.

What to see

• Five public bathhouses and a dedicated footbath park for visitors.
• Nineteen traditional inns situated along the banks of the Tsuetate River.
• Over 3,000 carp streamers hung across the river during the spring festival.
• A historic bathhouse site established by the Kumamoto Domain during the Edo period.

When to go

• Visit from April to May to see the Carp Streamer Festival.

Getting there

• Buses run to the hot spring area from Aso and Hita stations.

Read more about Tsuetate Onsen

A coastal roadside rest area in Amakusa featuring a hot spring, octopus-themed decor, and proximity to local beaches.

What it is

• A roadside station nicknamed Ripple Land located along National Route 324 in Amakusa City.
• A multi-purpose facility featuring a restaurant, product building, and a tourist information center.
• A site containing a day-trip hot spring facility called Sazanami-no-Yu.
• A convenient stop for travelers with a large parking lot and an on-site post office mailbox.

What to see

• Various octopus-themed objects scattered around the facility grounds.
• The product building which sells local goods and items.
• Views of nearby Shirogahama Beach and Miyukigahama Beach.

When to go

• The product building is open for visitors year-round.
• Avoid the second Wednesday of every month if you plan to visit the hot spring.

Official site

www.rippleland.com

Read more about Roadside station Ariake

A historic hot spring town featuring a reconstructed public bathhouse and a traditional theater dating back to 1910.

What it is

• A hot spring area mentioned in the Heian period dictionary Wamyō Ruijushō
• Legend says the spring was discovered by Uno Chikaharu after watching deer
• The area features alkaline simple hot spring water
• Approximately twenty inns and hotels operate within the district

What to see

• The Sakura-yu public bathhouse which was reconstructed in 2012
• Yachiyoza theater built in 1910 located on the Buzen Highway
• A drinking fountain providing hot spring water twenty-four hours daily

When to go

• The Yamaga Lantern Festival is held every August

Getting there

• Buses run from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal to the area
• The site is twelve kilometers from the Ueki Interchange

Read more about Yamaga Onsen

A roadside station in Kumamoto featuring hot spring baths, local dining, and ground golf facilities for a relaxing break.

What it is

• The core facility of the Michi-no-Eki Ono-onsen roadside station opened in 2012.
• A community hub featuring a direct sales store and a local restaurant.
• A recreational site offering hot spring baths and ground golf for visitors.

What to see

• On-site hot spring baths available for public use.
• A direct sales store featuring local products and goods.
• Ground golf courses located within the facility grounds.
• A restaurant serving meals to travelers and locals alike.

When to go

• The facility is closed on the third Tuesday of every month.

Getting there

• Located along Kumamoto Prefectural Road 27 near the Ashikita Interchange.

Read more about Ono-onsen center

A roadside station and hot spring facility in Kumamoto featuring award-winning architecture and private family baths.

What it is

• Hot spring facility and roadside station located in Misato Town, Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Opened in October 1998 and registered as a roadside station in 2013.
• Part of the Kyushu 88 Onsen pilgrimage circuit.
• Main building received a Kumamoto Artpolis award in 1999.

What to see

• Public footbaths and private family baths for visitor use.
• Product hall, restaurant, and lodging cabins on the site.
• Statue of Nishi Kingo located within the facility grounds.
• Remains of the Konobe Railway situated near the property.
• Electric vehicle charging station located in the parking area.

When to go

• Facility is closed on the second Thursday of every month.

Official site

samatanoyu-misato.jp

Read more about Samata-no-yu

A quiet sulfate hot spring at the foot of Mount Aso, ideal for travelers seeking a secluded, traditional soak.

What it is

• A hot spring area located at the foot of Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Part of the Aso Onsen Village featuring sulfate spring water.
• A secluded destination with only one hot spring inn currently in operation.
• A quiet location with almost no entertainment facilities for a peaceful stay.

Getting there

• Fourteen minute walk from Akamizu Station on the Hohi Main Line.
• The site is located one point one kilometers from the nearest train station.
• Twenty-five kilometers from the Kumamoto Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway.

Read more about Aso Akamizu Onsen