Kosugian, Yamakawa Onsen

9.2

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 173 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Shinwaen	10.0/10	102
🥈 2nd	Kurokawa Onsen Oyado Noshiyu	9.5/10	996
🥉 3rd	Ryokan Misato	9.7/10	82
4th	Gekkoju Kurokawa	9.7/10	75
5th	Yamabiko Ryokan	9.5/10	235
6th	Okyakuya	9.3/10	414
7th	Fumoto Ryokan	9.3/10	404
8th	Hotel Yumeshizuku	9.2/10	628
9th	Sansō Hanayu, maison thermale céleste	9.4/10	58
10th	Tawarayama Onsen Ryokan Minawa	9.2/10	234
11th	Ryokan Kono-Yu	9.3/10	80
12th	Kosugian, Yamakawa Onsen Current ryokan	9.2/10	173
13th	Kurokawa-So	9.1/10	974
14th	Yamashinobu	9.1/10	853
15th	Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan	9.1/10	342
16th	Kyutei	9.2/10	87
17th	Yumerindo	9.1/10	276
18th	Ryotei Matsuya Honkan Suizenji	9.1/10	125
19th	Ryokan Wakaba	9.0/10	578
20th	Shikinosato Hanamura	9.0/10	292
21st	Fujiya	9.0/10	229
22nd	Hamazen Ryokan	8.9/10	2,233
23rd	Ryokan Yamanoyu	8.9/10	251
24th	Ryokan Nanjoen	8.9/10	183
25th	Oyado Daikonya	9.0/10	48
26th	Hanare no Yado Hanagokoro	8.8/10	1,307
27th	Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Ichinoi	8.8/10	1,038
28th	Shokinkan	9.1/10	14
29th	Sen-no-Mori	9.2/10	11
30th	Yunoyado Irifune	9.3/10	9
31st	Tsuetate Onsen Hotel Hizenya	8.7/10	752
32nd	Sato no Yu Waraku	8.8/10	39
33rd	Ryokan Hirayama	8.7/10	39
34th	Tamana Onsen Happouen	9.4/10	3
35th	Chalet de montagne Hibari d’Asagiri	8.9/10	6
36th	AsoTsuruya	8.5/10	80
37th	Takenokura Sansō, Hakusui Onsen	8.6/10	2
38th	Hikyou Shirakawagensen Sansou Takefue	8.4/10	5
39th	Tabinoyado Asonoyu	8.3/10	3
40th	Ryokoji Temple	5.2/10	1
41st	Yutorelo Yamaga	8.2/10	92
42nd	Wasuki Tsukasakan	8.1/10	231
43rd	Hotel Shosenkaku Romankan	7.4/10	9
44th	Yusai Bekkan	7.9/10	98
45th	Onyado Satsuki	7.8/10	63
46th	Shikino Mori	7.9/10	520
47th	Tabist Yamaga Onsen Yuyado Izumi	6.9/10	67
48th	Ryokan Yunosako	4.0/10	29
49th	Kikuchi Kanko Hotel	5.3/10	194
50th	Boyokaku	4.1/10	139
51st	Hirayama Onsen Ryokan Kadoya	3.5/10	67

Check-in from 3:00 PM

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Riverside Location Garden Setting Hot Spring Town Countryside Escape

Location

869-2505 Kumamoto, Oguni, 北里１５１７−１, Japan

Staff 9,4/10

Facilities 9,1/10

Cleanliness 9,3/10

Comfort 9,1/10

Value for money 8,9/10

Location 8,8/10

Verified Yamakawa SettingConfirmed in Yamakawa Onsen, Oguni, matching the Kitazato 1517-1 address.

In-Room Hot SpringsMain building rooms are described with their own flowing natural hot spring baths.

Quiet Nature EscapeRooms and grounds emphasize mountain greenery, river sounds, and a calm secluded atmosphere.

Private Detached StayA standalone rental annex offers extra privacy for couples or small groups.

Scenic Room OutlooksThe property highlights views of mountains, river scenery, and garden-facing surroundings.

Flexible Stay StylesChoose from classic ryokan rooms, a private villa, or on-site glamping options.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and private-bath time are the main draw here, so one night works well for check-in, dinner, multiple soaks, and breakfast; add a second night only if you plan nearby Oguni sights or a relaxed drive-based onsen loop.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a quiet onsen retreat in rural Oguni for 1 night, or 2 nights only if you have a car and want a slow Kuju-Kurokawa-Oguni pace.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotThe setting is rural and not a walkable town base, so transport-light travelers may lose time on transfers.

Limited long-stay densityThe inn suits a short restorative stay more than a long sightseeing base unless you already have nearby stops planned.

Quiet areaChoose elsewhere if you want nightlife, shopping streets, or many casual dining options around the ryokan.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

On-site meal area for breakfast and dinner; seasonal local dishes are offered.

Kitazato Baran (nearby)

nearbyabout 2 km

Popular local restaurant with Akaushi beef and set meals.

Housyo Zanmai (nearby)

nearbyabout 2.3 km

Handmade soba spot near Waita and Yamakawa Onsen areas.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, the simplest route is via Aso Kumamoto Airport or Fukuoka Airport, then continue by highway bus, rental car, or prearranged ryokan transfer/taxi. If arriving by public transport, Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stop and Oguni Yu Station are the most practical transfer points near the ryokan area.

JR Aso Stationstation
22 kmabout 45–60 min by car or taxiabout 60–90 min with bus or taxi connection
Best rail access point for many visitors coming through the Aso side, but the final approach still requires bus, taxi, or arranged pickup.
JR Hita Stationstation
26 kmabout 50–70 min by car or taxiabout 70–110 min by bus connection, best checked locally
Useful rail option from the north or from Fukuoka-area itineraries; better suited to travelers continuing by bus, rental car, or taxi.
Oguni Yu Stationbus
4.9 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 15–20 min by taxi or carabout 20–40 min by local bus or transfer, best checked locally
Useful Oguni transfer point with tourist information and bus connections; a good fallback stop if you are coming from Kumamoto, Hita, or regional bus routes.
Kurokawa Onsen Bus Stopbus
7.7 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 15–25 min by taxiabout 20–35 min by local transfer or shuttle, best checked locally
Most useful nearby hot-spring area bus hub for travelers arriving by express bus; practical for transfer by taxi or ryokan shuttle rather than walking with luggage.
Aso Kumamoto Airportairport
42 kmabout 75–95 min by carabout 1.5–2.5 hours with bus or transfer, or about 80 min by arranged ryokan shuttle when available
Usually the most practical airport for this ryokan if you want the shortest road transfer from an airport; rental car or prearranged transfer is especially convenient.
Fukuoka Airportairport
79 kmabout 1.8–2.3 hours by carabout 2.5–4 hours with highway bus and local transfer
A strong alternative airport because it often has broader flight coverage; best for travelers willing to use an express bus to the Kurokawa/Oguni side or rent a car.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Four private baths to enjoyThe ryokan offers four different private hot spring baths, including an open-air bath by the stream and a hinoki bath, which makes the bathing experience feel more personal and relaxed.
Excellent fit for a peaceful escapeKosugian sits in the natural surroundings of Yamakawa Onsen in Oguni, with greenery, a garden, and river sounds shaping the whole stay. It feels designed for travelers who want calm rather than a busy onsen town atmosphere.
Rooms with a more intimate scaleThe main lodging has only six rooms, so the property feels quieter and less crowded than larger ryokans. That smaller scale can make the stay feel more personal.
Good local food focusDinner plans highlight regional ingredients such as Akaushi beef, Higo Asobi pork, Oaso chicken, local vegetables, and even horse sashimi. This gives the meal a strong Kumamoto and Aso identity instead of a generic ryokan menu.
Useful shuttle help for remote travelThere is a free shuttle to the Kurokawa Onsen bus stop, which is valuable in a rural area where transport can be inconvenient. That makes access easier if you are not driving.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Remote setting limits spontaneityThe quiet location is part of the charm, but it also means you are not in a lively walkable center with lots of shops and attractions just outside. Travelers wanting easy evening strolls and convenience may find it too isolated.
Dining is not privateMeals are generally served in the main dining area, not in-room or in private dining rooms. If you want a more exclusive kaiseki-style private dinner experience, this may feel less special.
Wi-Fi may be unreliableThe property notes that internet can occasionally be unstable because of its mountain location. That can be frustrating for remote workers or guests who need dependable connectivity.
Accessibility appears limitedThe ryokan states that there are currently no ramps across the property. Guests with reduced mobility may find moving around the site more difficult.
Some signs of age remainRecent guest feedback suggests the inn is pleasant overall but not uniformly modern, with some areas showing age and occasional maintenance or cleanliness inconsistencies. If you expect a fully polished luxury finish, expectations should stay moderate.

Current position: 12th out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
7th	Fumoto Ryokan	9.3/10	404
8th	Hotel Yumeshizuku	9.2/10	628
9th	Sansō Hanayu, maison thermale céleste	9.4/10	58
10th	Tawarayama Onsen Ryokan Minawa	9.2/10	234
11th	Ryokan Kono-Yu	9.3/10	80
12th	Kosugian, Yamakawa Onsen Current ryokan	9.2/10	173
13th	Kurokawa-So	9.1/10	974
14th	Yamashinobu	9.1/10	853
15th	Kurokawa Onsen Yama no Yado Shinmeikan	9.1/10	342
16th	Kyutei	9.2/10	87
17th	Yumerindo	9.1/10	276