Ryokoji Temple
Two single beds with bedside lamp and shoji windows at Ryokoji Temple in Kumamoto, Kyushu
White soaking tub with handheld shower and wood panel wall at Ryokoji Temple, Kumamoto, Kyūshū, Japan
Breakfast tray with salad, bread, soup and purple smoothie at Ryokoji Temple, Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan
Rice paddies leading to distant mountain range and village near Ryokoji Temple in Kumamoto, Kyushu
Tatami room with low table and shoji screens at Ryokoji Temple in Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan
Blue and white ceramic wash basin on wooden counter with mirror and hairdryer at Ryokoji Temple, Kumamoto
Assorted traditional Japanese dishes on lacquer tray, Ryokoji Temple ryokan, Kumamoto, Kyushu

Ryokoji Temple

5.2
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 5.2/10, based on 1 review. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM
Mountain Setting Countryside Escape Garden Setting Quiet Village Reservable Bath Kaiseki Cuisine
Staff 5,0/10
Facilities 5,0/10
Cleanliness 5,0/10
Comfort 5,0/10
Value for money 5,0/10
Location 7,0/10

Ryokan highlights

A tiny temple stay in Minami Aso known for peaceful scenery and Buddhist vegan meals.

Temple StayRare shukubo lodging with a calm, distinctly temple-style atmosphere.
Buddhist Vegan MealsKnown for Buddhist vegan cuisine, a standout for vegetarian-minded travelers.
Mt. Aso ViewsSet at Aso’s foothills with open views toward Mount Aso.
Spring Water NearbyTakezaki spring water source is close enough for an easy outing.
Very Small ScaleJust one guest room supports a private, quiet, low-traffic stay.
Easy Car AccessFree parking and nearby hot spring facilities add convenience for drivers.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1 nightDining is the main stay-length driver here: arrive in the afternoon, settle into the temple atmosphere, eat the vegan Buddhist dinner, enjoy the bath, sleep early, then have breakfast and use the next day for Shirakawa spring, Minami Aso scenery, or onward travel around Aso. A second night only makes sense if you have a car and want a slower rural pace.
Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night countryside temple stay in Minami Aso for travelers who want quiet, mountain scenery, vegan temple meals, and a slow rural stop rather than a full-service onsen resort or dense sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Not an onsen ryokanNearby hot spring facilities are mentioned, but the property itself is better treated as a temple lodging with a private bath, not a confirmed onsen resort.
Car helps a lotThe area is rural. Station access exists, but luggage-light travelers with a car will use the property much more easily.
Limited nightlifeThis is a quiet Minami Aso countryside stay, so evenings are for dinner, baths, and rest rather than restaurant-hopping.

Food & drinks

Verified temple stay in Minami Aso with on-site Buddhist vegan meals; nearby soba spots are the main backup dining choices.

Dining Room (on-site)
on-site

Temple meal venue for shojin ryori dinner and simple breakfast.

  • Shojin ryori dinnerfoodFull-course Buddhist vegan meal.
  • Otoki mealspecialtyTraditional post-ceremony temple meal.
  • Homemade vegan breadfoodBaked by the head priest.
  • Salad and local sidesfoodLight breakfast accompaniments.
  • TeadrinkSimple meal-time hot tea.
Minamiaso Soba Dojo (nearby)
nearbyabout 2.4 km

Well-known local soba stop in Hisaishi with soba-making and tastings.

  • Handmade sobafoodLocal buckwheat noodles.
  • Yam sobafoodSoba with local yam.
  • DengakuspecialtyLocal grilled specialty nearby at the complex.
  • Local productsspecialtyRegional food items to take away.
Nanohanabatake (nearby)
nearbyabout 2.7 km

Hisaishi soba restaurant option near the ryokan area.

  • Soba noodlesfoodBuckwheat noodle dishes.
  • Tempura sidesfoodLikely soba pairing.
  • TeadrinkStandard hot drink option.

Access, transport and nearby sights

Ryokoji Temple is a rural temple-stay in Minami Aso best reached by car, taxi, or a rail-plus-taxi combination rather than on foot from a station.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

This is a very distinctive temple stay in Minami Aso rather than a conventional ryokan, and it stands out most for privacy, quiet surroundings, and carefully prepared Buddhist vegan cuisine. It suits travelers seeking a reflective countryside experience, but it is less ideal if you want hotel-style facilities, many rooms, or easy walkable convenience.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • One group per day privacyThe property hosts only one group per day, so the stay feels unusually quiet and exclusive. This makes it especially appealing for couples, small families, or travelers who value personal space.
  • Authentic temple-stay atmosphereThis is a real temple lodging in Minami Aso, giving the stay a more spiritual and memorable character than a standard inn. The setting is better for calm reflection than for generic sightseeing sleepovers.
  • Thoughtful shojin ryori mealsThe temple offers Buddhist vegan cuisine, including fuller dinner courses that make the meal itself part of the experience. This is a strong draw for travelers interested in Japanese food culture beyond typical ryokan kaiseki.
  • Spacious Japanese-style layoutThe accommodation includes multiple tatami areas rather than a single compact guestroom, so it feels more like a private retreat. That extra space is useful if you want to relax indoors during a slow countryside stay.
  • Peaceful Minami Aso settingIts location in the natural surroundings of Minami Aso gives the stay a serene rural mood with mountain-area scenery and a slower pace. It works well for travelers who want nature and silence rather than a busy town center.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not a full-service ryokanTravelers expecting a large inn with public baths, lounges, and many hospitality services may find it too simple. The experience is intentionally closer to temple lodging than to a resort-style stay.
  • Limited dining flexibilityThe food style centers on shojin ryori, so guests wanting meat, seafood, or broader menu choice may feel restricted. The culinary appeal is strongest if you are specifically open to vegan Buddhist cuisine.
  • Car access is more convenientAlthough rail access is possible, the property is easier to reach by car in rural Minami Aso. If you are traveling only by public transport with luggage, arrival may feel less effortless.
  • Only one booking availableBecause it accepts just one group per day, availability can be tight and the stay requires more planning than a larger property. That exclusivity is a strength, but it also reduces spontaneity.
  • Quiet location may feel too isolatedThe peaceful countryside setting is attractive, but some travelers may find it inconvenient for nightlife, shopping, or hopping between many attractions on foot. It is better for slowing down than for urban-style convenience.

Ranking around this ryokan in Kumamoto

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 40th out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

Rank Ryokan Rating Reviews
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 Current ryokan 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
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