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Traveling through Kyushu

created by slycker

An index largely of onsen, Hot Springs, in Kyushu. Much of this info came from other sources on the net, and the rest came from a trip I made with my wife in 2006. If you have any corrections to the info I have here, please email me at slycker[at}gmail;dot:com

Other Japan Maps:
Tokushima ken
Mie ken

Resources:
as linked on individual locations

Specific Sources:
Jens Olsen
mjryoung
Secret Onsen

An index largely of onsen, Hot Springs, in Kyushu. Much of this info came from other sources on the net, and the rest came from a trip I made with my wife in 2006. If you have any corrections to the info I have here, please email me at slycker[at}gmail;dot:com <b>Other Japan Maps:</b> <a href="http://www.communitywalk.com/map/5540">Tokushima ken</a> <a href="http://www.communitywalk.com/map/6007">Mie ken</a> <b>Resources: </b> <i>as linked on individual locations</i> Specific Sources: <a href="http://www2.gol.com/users/jolsen/onsen/">Jens Olsen</a> <a href="http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/2096/Kyushuonsen.html"> mjryoung</a> <a href="http://www.secret-japan.com/onsen/">Secret Onsen</a>

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Comments (5)

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Sorry, I don't know. My trip was by motorcycle. You can always try JR's website - though you may need to run the Japanese version through a translator like google. Also, try get a co-worker to help you with this - I know my coworkers loved showing off areas of Japan to me.
- Slycker	Tue, Apr 17, 07

Hi. Is it easy to travel by train/bus from Kagoshima city to Kirishima? I see there's a campsite so might head there for golden week... Thanks
- Tom	Tue, Apr 17, 07

Thanks for your input - but please note that this is the GENERAL comment area - if you want to comment on a specific location, please click on the comment link on that location's description!
- Slycker	Thu, Apr 12, 07

the price for the cabins is 15000 yen for 3 people and you have to sleep on tatami mat floors with mats on top.
- MRLINK	Thu, Apr 12, 07

This is a great map. Thanks for putting it together!
- Jared	Tue, Apr 18, 06

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	Transportation
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	Onsen
	Onsen Town

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Traveling through Kyushu

An index largely of onsen, Hot Springs, in Kyushu. Much of this info came from other sources on the net, and the rest came from a trip I made with my wife in 2006. If you have any corrections to the info I have here, please email me at slycker[at}gmail;dot:com Other Japan Maps: Tokushima ken Mie ken Resources: as linked on individual locations Specific Sources: Jens Olsen mjryoung Secret Onsen

: Kyuka-mura Minami-Aso Family Auto Camp-jo

Camping Community
熊本県阿蘇郡高森町高森3219

10 min. by bus from Takamori Sta., Minami Aso Tetsudo to Kokuminkyuka-mura-mae Bus Stop. Open all year round. Cost: ¥2,000 per tent plus ¥500 per person.; Rental ¥5,200 per tent plus ¥500 per person. Facilities: Restaraunt, Vending machines, Water service, Toilet Cooking.

Features: Mt. Aso, with cycling, orienteering, and tennis in the area. Note: Reservations required.
Kyuka-mura Minami-Aso Family Auto Camp-jo

: Beppu Train Station

Community

Beppu Train Station

: Onsen Kuju

Community
Kyudai residence and hotspring
Onsen Kuju

: Futsukaichi

Community
Futsukaichi onsen is a famous and very old public hot spring in the middle of Futsukaichi.
Like most public hot springs it is divided into a men's and woman's area, and there are good facilities to undress in, and plenty of fosets where one can wash oneself before getting in one of the bath tubs.

Jens Olsen's Site
Futsukaichi

: Yunotani - Hoshinoyu

Community
Rumored to possibly be closed. If it is, there are many other onsen located on Mt. Aso.

Entrance: Free
Tubs: Open Air, separate genders

Yu-no-tani onsen, Hoshi-no-yu is half way up Mount Aso. The bath is a large rock bath with plenty of room for everyone. The water is nice and warm without being too hot, but not warm enough to stay in for hours. There is separated woman's and men's area with shelves to put the clothes on just inside the entrance. In front of the hot spring is a large open area where it is possible to camp in a little tent.
Yu-no-tani onsen is located half way up Mount Aso. From Kumamoto city take route 57 towards mount Aso. Next take route 325 towards Choyo village. Before getting into Choyo village make a left turn and go up mount Aso. Follow this road all the way to the end. You will see a very large hotel, and probably think you went up the wrong road, but keep going right past the holes main entrance, and you will get to a large open space. Here you will find Hoshi-no-yu.

Jens Olsen's Site
Yunotani - Hoshinoyu

: Kurogawa Onsen (黒川温泉)

Community
Entrance: 500円, or 1000円 town onsen pass gets you into 3 different onsen.

Kurogawa onsen is a hot spring village with many different hotels, each with there own bath. In the village is a little public bath, with separate men's and womans area. Being a public bath, it has space to undress in, and shelves to put the clothes on. The public bath is quite simple, it looks a little like an over size family bath. The water is nice , but not hot though.

Jens Olsen's Site

Kurokawa Area Official Onsen and Ryokan Website (japanese)
Kurogawa Onsen (黒川温泉)

: Manganji (満願寺温泉)

Mixed, Free Community
Entrance: Free
Tubs: Outdoor

Manganji onsen is in the middle of Manganji village.
There are 2 small concrete baths and an even smaller concrete hole where the village house wives wash their dishes and clothes using the hot spring water. The water is clear and not too hot.

There are no rooms or shelter to undress and no shelves to hang the clothes. And since this hot spring is in the middle of the village, you had better not be too shy if you want to try it out.

Jens Olsen's Site
Manganji (満願寺温泉)

: Shiratori (白鳥温泉)

Community
Entrance: Adult 300円, Child 200円
Tubs: 2 Outdoor and 2 Indoor (Separate-gender)
Lodging: 2,600円 / night

The view from the outdoor tubs is amazing. I had heard rumor that this rotenburo was mixed, but when we got there, they were separate. There is another onsen (possibly also called shiratori) further down the hill (north) that may have the mixed furo - we didn't have time to check it out.

The indoor tubs are wooden and very hot, while the outdoor tubs are made with rocks, and are slightly cooler.
Shiratori (白鳥温泉)

: Kawayu

Closed Community
Note: this free outdoor onsen was shut down and converted to a foot bath as the area was developed many years prior to when I visited (May '06). Unfortunately, my information was bit old. There are some other springs in the area that are nice, and the view and hikes are amazing. This area now has a huge ecological museum, restaurant, gift store and visitor's center.

Mentioned on Jens Olsen's Site
Kawayu

: Shinyu (新湯温泉)

Mixed Community
Entrance: 500円
Tubs: Indoor/Outdoor (one outdoor is mixed-gender)
Hours: 8 AM - 10 PM

external photos
Shinyu (新湯温泉)

: Kurino-dake Onsen (栗野岳温泉)

Community
Entrance: One place 200円, All 500円
Tubs: Separately enclosed tubs, a Sauna, and one outdoor, non-bathable "Yawata Hell"

This spring flows from the highlands 800 meters above sea level, halfway up Mt. Kurino-dake. There is a large femoral called Hachiman Hell, and the white steam spouts energetically and can been soon from a distace. There is also a dish named Steaming Hell Chicken that is cooked using the steam.

Kurino-dake Onsen (栗野岳温泉)

: Amagase

Mixed Community
Entrance: varried, some free
Tubs: some outdoor, most mixed

Amagase onsen is a little town full of hot springs.
The different baths are located just next to a river running through the middle of the town. There are many different baths, among which some are free, some are open air, and most are mixed. Some of the baths have small little shelters to undress in with shelves to put one's clothes on, while others has nothing. In case of the last kind of bath, one should not be too shy, as one will literally be undressing in the middle of the town!

Amagase onsen is located in the western part of Oita prefecture. From Oita city take route 210 to Amagase town. When you get to Amagase town, get off route 210 and go to the center of the town. This is where you will find the hot springs.

Jens Olsen's Site
Amagase

: Many Onsen in Area

Community
Including Shinyu Onsen - Rotenburo
Many Onsen in Area

: Ebino Kogen Onsen (えびの高原温泉)

Community
Entrance: 200-500円

Ebino Kogen Onsen (えびの高原温泉)

: Camping

Camping Community

Camping

: Camping

Camping Community

Camping

: Sun Messe Nichinan - Easter Island Statues (サンメッセ日南)

Community
These fill-size replicas of the statues from Easter Island are quite the attraction in this area, and the highway in this regeion runs along the 'Nichinan Coastline', which offers many amazing views.
Sun Messe Nichinan - Easter Island Statues (サンメッセ日南)

: Jomon no Mori - Archeological Site (上野原縄文の森)

Community

Jomon no Mori - Archeological Site (上野原縄文の森)

: Shinmizu Kaikan, Yunohira Onsen (湯平温泉)

Mixed Community
When I visited in May '06, this spring was closed. I'm not sure if it was temporary, for construction, or if it was permanent. Also, if it was for construction, the unique mixed cave spring may now be different and segregated (this seems to be the trend).

Entrance: 500円
Tubs: Outdoor (Cave), one women and one mixed

Description from another site:

Upon arrival, make your way to the "Shimizu Kaikan", a small, Japanese style inn, but don't [go down into the town] in anything bigger than a [k-car], or you won't get there. [Otherwise you can park up by the main road] From the outside, the hotel looks plain enough, but it is merely hiding what most people couldn't imagine. After taking the compulsory pre-bath shower, the weary traveller walks through a stone gateway, and finds himself in the middle of a huge cave, dimly-lit, and with the water oozing in through the walls. It is quite stunning; there is even a little beach area inside the cave for those who need to take a break from the relatively hot water. However, that's not all. This is a mixed onsen, which means that your sweetheart can join you in the men's bath. Bathing suits not permitted. The women's bath does not allow men, though. The baths are also so huge, you can swim around in them.

Kyushu Onsens - mjryoung
Shinmizu Kaikan, Yunohira Onsen (湯平温泉)

: Shimoda Onsen (下田温泉)

Community
Entrance: Assorted
Tubs: Assorted

Shimoda is a quiet, quaint little town on the island of Shimoshima, one of a collection of sparsely populated lumps of rock known as the Amakusa islands. This area is among the most unspoiled parts of Japan and, as such, has plenty of charm. Walking through Shimoda at night is like strolling about on the set of a Samurai drama. Most of the inhabitants seem to gather at a large building called "Shirasagikan" (Hall of the White Heron). A grandiose name if ever there was one. It is extremely well equipped, with several outdoor baths, several more indoors, and for those who really want to make a night of it, you can hire 2 or 4 person private baths. These are actually extremely good value at 1500 yen, and had I gone there with someone I would like to have escorted in, then this would be where I would have gone. As it was, I opted for the tour of outdoor baths, and was far from disappointed. There is also a rather decent-looking restaurant in the complex. It is unlikely that you would be passing Shimoda by accident, but if you happen to find yourself within about 30 miles, then you could do worse than to check this place out.
Translated Official Site

Kyushu Onsens - mjryoung
Shimoda Onsen (下田温泉)

: Harazuru Onsen (原鶴温泉)

Community
Entrance: Likely Expensive
Tubs: Many and luxurious

Harazuru is a small, hard-to-find little town in the north of Kyushu, on the banks of the River Onga. I stayed for one night at the very plush "Reisenkaku" Hotel, an establishment once visited by no less a celebrity than the Emperor himself. Hmmm, impressive, eh? It is an upmarket stopover, and one at which I spent not a single solitary yen. I came here on our school trip, 3 days of exhaustingly hard work, dragging 250 14-year-olds round sites of special interest, when all the kids want to do is drink, smoke, and be as unruly as possible.
The bath itself, though, is something special. A jungle bath, to be exact, complete with (real) palm trees, an assortment of different pools, water slides etc. However, it is hard to appreciate when you're in charge of 130 boys, tweaking each others dicks, comparing non-existant pubic hair and so on. Thus, I had to sneak back down at 3:00 am in order to get a feel for the place. I enjoyed. Very plezz indeed. I dread to think how much this place costs to say. I didn't ask. Simply being able to boast that the Emperor is a former customer is carte blanche to double the prices. People fall for that here. I'm also not sure if non-staying guests can pop in for a dip.

Kyushu Onsens - mjryoung
Harazuru Onsen (原鶴温泉)

: Kiyashiki Onsen (樹やしき)

Mixed Community
Entrance: 500円
Tubs: 1 Outdoor men's, 2 outdoor women's, and one outdoor mixed.

"There are two series of baths - one of the left side and one of the right side - which eventually lead to a mixed rotenburo at their ends. One side is for women, and the other for men; however, the attribution changes in the early evening, so you probably will try both sides if you overnight in this ryokan. The left side consists of one outside baths: a very small one plus another one which is so deep that you can stand in it. The right side is more interesting, with an inside bath and a outside one. The konyoku is the largest bath: there is a small waterfall, and stones to sit just under it."

source: Secret Onsen

Kurokawa Area Official Onsen and Ryokan Website (japanese)
Kiyashiki Onsen (樹やしき)

: Hozantei Ryokan Onsen (帆山亭)

Mixed Community
Entrance: 500円
Tubs: One outdoor womens and one outdoor mixed

"This ryokan is quite far from the center of Kurokawa, and can only be reached by car (most of the inns will give a lift to their guests, so you won't need to drive by yourself). Rooms are located around a nice pond, in a very calm surroudings. Especially during the night, not a single noise can be heard there. There is only rather large and mixed rotemburo, while women have their own private outside bath. However, the bath itself is absolutely great!"

source: Secret Onsen

Kurokawa Area Official Onsen and Ryokan Website (japanese)
Hozantei Ryokan Onsen (帆山亭)

: Sakurajima

Community
Famous Volcano
Sakurajima

: Shusen no Mori (酒泉の杜)

Brewery Community
Shusen no Mori is an 'industrial theme park', where many types of handicrafts are made, as well as seven different types of alcohol (sake, shochu, wine, local beer, liqueur, ...). You can try your hand at some of the local crafts, and sample some of the alcohol.

It's possible to book a tour, but that may likely require a Japanese-speaking assistant. There are different-language pamphlets available.

東諸県郡綾町大字南俣１８００−１９
to book a tour, click here
Shusen no Mori (酒泉の杜)

: Saitobaru Burrial Mounds (西都原古墳群)

Community
"This is Japan's biggest and best collection of burial mounds. There are 311 mounds, with examples of many different styles, including large key-hole shaped burial mounds, and underground cave-type mounds."
Saitobaru Burrial Mounds (西都原古墳群)

: Takanabe Kaisuiyokujo Camp-mura

Camping Community
宮崎県児湯郡高鍋町大字蚊口浦6259-1

5-min. walk from Takanabe Sta., Nippo Line. Open Jul. 17 - Aug. 31. (Possible to camp in other seasons; reservation required). Cost:¥500 per tent; Rental ¥1,000 per tent. Facilities: Restaraunt, Showers, Stall, Vending, Water, Toilet, Cooking.

Features: Seaside; fishing, swimming
Takanabe Kaisuiyokujo Camp-mura

: Sakaematsu Camp-jo

Camping Community
宮崎県南那珂郡南郷町栄松
(approximate location)

20-min. walk from Nango Sta., Nichinan Line. C: Mid-Jul. - Late Aug. Cost: ¥800 per tent. Rental: Tent, ¥1,500 - ¥2,000. Facilities: Shower, Stall, Vending, Water, Toilets Cooking.

Features:
Seaside; fishing, swimming.
Sakaematsu Camp-jo

: Miyazaki Shirahama Auto Camp-jo

Camping Community
宮崎県宮崎市大字折生迫字上白浜6600-1

Oryuzako Sta. from Miyazaki
by JR Nichinan Line. Open all year round.
Cost: ¥3,500
Rental: Tent, ¥1,570; sleeping bag, ¥420; lantern, ¥1,050; cookware, ¥420. Facilities: Shower, Stall, Vending, Water, Toilets Cooking.

Features: Fishing, swimming, surfing, sailing
Miyazaki Shirahama Auto Camp-jo

: Kirishima Kogen Kokumin-kyuyochi

Camping Community
鹿児島県姶良郡牧園町高千穂3311

20 min. by bus from Kirishima-nishiguchi Sta., Hisatsu Line to Bokujo Bus Stop. Open all year round. Closed Wed. (except Late Jul. - Late Aug.) & New Year season.
Cost: ¥1,500 per tent plus ¥200 per person.
Rental: Tent, ¥1,600 - ¥2,000; cabin, ¥15,000 - ¥18,000.
Facilities: Stalls, Vending, Water, Toilets, Cooking.

Features: Kirishima Kogen Heights; hiking, hot spring, horse riding, tennis, swimming pool.
Kirishima Kogen Kokumin-kyuyochi

: Yufuin Hostel

Hostel Community
大分県大分郡湯布院町川上441-29
Map location is approximate.

Cost: 4200円 (3200円 HI members)
Meals: Breakfast 630円 Dinner 1050円
Onsen Tax: 150円
Yufuin Hostel

: Yufuin

Community
Yufuin is an onsen town about 40 minutes by car from Beppu. In peak travel times, it is VERY crowded, and getting into the old/central part of town is next to impossible by car. By motorcycle, it was barely tolerable - so you may want to park just out of the outskirts somewhere. If you go to the train station, there is often a volunteer with maps to help you find any destination within the town. There are many onsen here - many free sento-style tubs, as well as other nicer ones that you pay for. My favourite is Shitan-yu.
Yufuin

: Yunohira Onsen Town (湯平温泉)

Community
Yunohira is an Onsen Town located off to the north side of the main highway. It is very picturesque, being set around a river, with many cobble-stone roads, boardwalks and bridges - steam rising from many cracks everywhere. The roads through the town itself are very steep and narrow, and while a small k-car or a motorbike can make it (although the k-car may not make it back up), the only parking is up at the top anyway. The people here are very friendly, helping you find whatever it is you're looking for.
Yunohira Onsen Town (湯平温泉)

: Campground - nice

Campground Community
This was a very nice campground, with all the ammenities you could want. We visited in Golden Week, 2006, and I don't think the office ever closed then (nice, since we arrived after dark).
There are two amazing rotemburo, one for men and one for women, that never close. For two people and one tent, it cost about 2300円 for one night.

Any of the locals on this road can point you towards this 'camp-jo' (campground). When we stopped by one ryokan, the friendly man there used his phone to call ahead, let them know we were coming, and ensure that there was room.

Note: the water pressure in the bathrooms was relatively low when we were there, which then required some strategic flushing.
Campground - nice

: Kurokawa (黒川) Town

Community
Kurokawa is a beautiful onsen town, with breathtaking Ryokans with furo (outdoor tubs) along a river to the north of the highway (Oku no Yu was great!) and many smaller onsen attached to Ryokans or campgrounds to the south of the highway. If you ask for directions anywhere, they are very helpful, and will give you a map of the town (I got about 4, even saying I didn't need it after I got the first two). If you can, spend a good ammount of time here, visiting the neighbouring onsen. You can buy a pass for 1000円 that is good for any 3 places. The standard rate for the nicer onsen seemed to be 500円 per person.
Kurokawa (黒川) Town

: Camping

Camping Community
This campground is huge, has many cooking and washroom facilities, as well as a small, segregated onsen. I visited this campground in May '06, and one night here with two people, one tent and the rental of two blankets cost about 1000円 - a very good price. Some of the staff here speak English very well, but they're all very friendly. There are many day hikes and trips that you can do from here, to the nearby mountains, volcanoes and onsen.

Being high up, it does get cold at night (in May, at least), so the blankets that you can rent for 240円 each come in very handy. There are cabins you can rent, and there is plenty of RV and tent space that I don't think could ever get full.
Camping

: Ebino Plateau

Volcano Community
This is a beautiful volcanic area with many crater lakes and numerous hot springs. There are countless trails and hikes to go on, each with breathtaking views. You can get a map at the tourist center, or at any of the campgrounds or Ryokan.
Ebino Plateau

: Road Closed

Road Closure Community
About here highway 265 was completely washed out by a landslide.

When I was here, in May 2006, the whole highway 265, south of Aso-san, had heavy construction, which we carefully navigated around, only to run up against this dead-end in the dark. Apparently it wasn't just our lack of Kanji knowledge that led us unwittingly here, as there were other Japanese people who made it this far and had to turn around as well. Given the nature of the slide, it will be a LONG time before it is rebuilt, so I'd advise going a different route. Even to the north of this location, the 265 was very slow, though it was a fun ride on motorbikes.