Shikino Mori

7.9

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 7.9/10, based on 520 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	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 Current ryokan	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 Countryside Escape Garden Setting Hot Spring Town Public Onsen Indoor Bath

Location

869-1412 Kumamoto, Minami Aso, Hisaishi 3160, Japan

Staff 8,0/10

Facilities 7,5/10

Cleanliness 7,8/10

Comfort 7,8/10

Value for money 7,9/10

Location 7,8/10

Aso Mountain ViewsMany rooms and common areas look out toward the scenic Aso mountains.

Hot Spring BathsNatural hot spring bathing is a core draw for a relaxing countryside stay.

Calm Rural SettingSet in quiet Minami Aso, it suits travelers seeking peace and fresh air.

Good Room ComfortGuest ratings consistently praise cleanliness, comfort, and a well-kept feel.

Strong Stay ValueReviews indicate a satisfying balance of price, facilities, and overall experience.

Family-Friendly FacilitiesFamily rooms, open space, and on-site amenities make group stays easier.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsScenery and onsen are the main stay drivers here: arrive for an early check-in, bathe, have dinner, sleep quietly, then use the next morning for breakfast and a short Minami Aso stop such as Asobonosato Kugino or nearby spring sights before moving on. A second night makes sense only if you want a slower rural pace or to pair the stay with light local touring, not for dense sightseeing.

Trip-planning verdict: A practical 1-night or relaxed 2-night countryside onsen stay in Minami Aso, best for drivers or travelers already touring the Aso area rather than those needing an efficient transport base.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotBus access exists, but this is still a rural Minami Aso stay with easier logistics by car.

Limited night sceneDo not expect nightlife, bar-hopping, or a lively evening area around the ryokan.

Don’t over-base hereTwo nights can work for a slow countryside break, but longer stays risk repeating the same area.

Shiki no Mori (on-site)

on-site

Named on-site restaurant with Aso mountain views and local seasonal dishes.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

1F meal venue for breakfast and pre-booked dinner courses.

Hakusui no Kura (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Useful nearby yakiniku choice known for Aso red beef and local specialties.

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, arrive via Kumamoto Airport or central Kumamoto, then continue by rental car or taxi for the most practical final approach. If using rail, Nakamatsu Station is the most useful nearby station, but the last segment is usually better by taxi than on foot with luggage.

Nakamatsu Stationstation
3.0 kmnot ideal on foot with luggage; roughly 35–45 min if attemptedabout 5–10 min by taxirail access point; onward local transport is best checked locally
Most useful nearby rail stop for the ryokan; use a taxi for the final stretch, especially with bags.
Minamiaso-Shirakawasuigen Stationstation
7.9 kmnot practical for most guestsabout 10–15 min by taxipossible via Minami Aso Railway, then taxi
Useful if you also plan sightseeing around Shirakawa Spring, but less direct than Nakamatsu for check-in.
Tateno Stationstation
9.2 kmnot practicalabout 20–30 min by car or taximajor rail transfer point between JR and Minami Aso Railway; final timing depends on connections
Good transfer hub for travelers arriving from the JR Hohi Main Line before changing toward Minami Aso.
Akamizu Stationstation
9.9 kmnot practicalabout 20–30 min by car or taxiJR access point; onward transfer usually requires taxi or a rail/bus combination
Useful backup JR station if coming through the Aso side, but less convenient than a direct road approach.
Aso Kumamoto Airport Liner / local bus stop area at Tateno Stationbus
9.2 kmtoo far to walk comfortablyabout 20–30 min to the ryokan after arrival near Tatenoconnection times vary and should be checked locally
Potentially useful for travelers combining airport bus and train, but less convenient than going directly by car or taxi.
Kumamoto Airportairport
18 kmabout 35–50 min by car or taxitypically possible via airport bus and rail/taxi combination; total time varies
Best airport for most visitors; rental car pickup here is usually the easiest way to reach the ryokan.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Peaceful Minami Aso settingThe ryokan sits in Hisaishi in Minami Aso, giving it a quiet rural feel with open mountain surroundings rather than an urban hotel atmosphere. It suits guests who want a slower pace and a more scenic base in the Aso area.
Onsen and sauna in one stayThis property is particularly appealing if you want more than just a standard bath, because it combines hot spring bathing with sauna access. That makes it easy to build a relaxing evening around wellness without leaving the ryokan.
Good base for driving around AsoIt works well for travelers exploring Aso by car, with access to major regional sights and practical on-site parking. For a road-trip style itinerary, that is much easier than staying somewhere dependent on station transfers.
Comfortable, well-kept roomsGuest feedback points to strong cleanliness and a comfortable stay, which matters on a countryside ryokan trip where you spend real time in the room. The rooms also appear set up for a simple, restful overnight stay rather than an overly crowded layout.
Useful for families and mixed groupsThe property offers family-friendly room options and practical amenities like Wi-Fi, making it easier for couples, families, or multigenerational groups to stay together. It is a more flexible choice than a tiny traditional inn with very limited room types.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Car access is the easiest optionThe ryokan is much more convenient with a car, so travelers relying fully on trains or buses may find the approach less seamless. It is not the strongest choice for a no-driving itinerary focused on easy public transport.
Not a luxury ryokan experienceIf you want high-end kaiseki dining, elaborate in-room baths, or deeply refined traditional luxury, this property may feel more straightforward than indulgent. The appeal is more practical and relaxing than exclusive.
Limited nightlife nearbyMinami Aso is about nature, quiet evenings, and early starts, not bars, shopping streets, or a lively town center. Guests wanting entertainment within walking distance may feel isolated after dinner.
Fewer walkable surroundingsBecause the setting is rural, the stay is less suited to travelers who like stepping outside to browse cafes, shops, and multiple attractions on foot. Much of the area's value comes from the wider landscape rather than immediate walk-around convenience.
Room style may feel simpleSome travelers may find the accommodation more functional than atmospheric if they are specifically chasing a highly distinctive old-Japan ryokan aesthetic. The experience leans toward comfort and ease rather than dramatic traditional character.

Current position: 46th out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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