Tsuetate Onsen Hotel Hizenya

8.7

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.7/10, based on 752 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 Current ryokan	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

Riverside Location Valley Scenery Hot Spring Town Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

869-2503 Kumamoto, Oguni, Shimojo 4223, Japan

Staff 9,0/10

Facilities 8,8/10

Cleanliness 8,6/10

Comfort 8,6/10

Value for money 8,9/10

Location 8,7/10

Border-Spanning RyokanA rare historic ryokan uniquely stretching across both Kumamoto and Oita prefectures.

Extensive Onsen VarietyGuests can enjoy multiple bath areas fed by 11 abundant hot spring sources.

Open-Air Bath TourKissho-no-Yu adds open-air bath variety beyond the main in-house bathing areas.

Riverfront Bath AtmosphereSome baths pair soaking with calming river sounds and seasonal scenery.

Flexible Room StylesChoose from Japanese rooms, tatami twin rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and maisonettes.

Useful Access OptionsReachable by bus from Hita or Aso, with straightforward car access too.

Recommended stay1-2 nightsThe strongest reason to stay here is bath-hopping: arrive by mid-afternoon, use the in-hotel baths, dinner, then the larger outdoor bath area, sleep, breakfast, and a short walk in Tsuetate or a nearby waterfall stop before moving on.

Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1- to 2-night onsen stay in Tsuetate rather than a long sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Car helps a lotThe inn is reachable by bus, but sightseeing around Oguni works much better with a car.

Limited town depthTsuetate is atmospheric but small, so travelers focused on dense sightseeing may run out quickly.

Tattoo ruleThe property states guests with tattoos are not allowed in the baths.

Yaoyorozu Dining (on-site)

on-site

Main buffet restaurant with open kitchen and Kyushu dishes.

Mangiro (on-site)

on-site

Kaiseki meal venue for seasonal multi-course dinners.

Breakfast Buffet (on-site)

on-site

Morning buffet focused on Kyushu ingredients 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, the simplest route is via Fukuoka Airport or JR Hita Station, then continue by bus toward Tsuetate Onsen and use a short walk, hotel pickup if available, or taxi for the final approach. Aso Kumamoto Airport can also work, but connections are usually less direct than the Fukuoka side.

Bungo-Mori Stationstation
12 kmabout 35-50 min by carnot usually the easiest public transport route; best checked locally
Geographically one of the nearer JR stations, but generally less convenient than Hita for many visitors unless arriving by car or taxi.
JR Hita Stationstation
17 kmabout 45-60 min by carabout 45-60 min by bus, service patterns best checked locally
A very useful rail gateway from northern Kyushu; often one of the easiest train-to-bus transfer points for reaching Tsuetate Onsen.
Aso Stationstation
28 kmabout 60-80 min by carabout 1.5-2.5 hr by bus or combined transfer, depending on schedules
Useful if you are already traveling through the Aso area or connecting from the Kumamoto side, but usually slower than the Hita/Fukuoka approach.
Hizenya-mae Bus Stopbus
30 mabout 1-3 min on footabout 3–5 min by taxi
Best stop if your bus service actually calls here, as it is effectively the closest practical drop-off for the ryokan.
Tsuetate Onsen Bus Stopbus
250 mabout 7-10 min on foot, depending on luggage and slopeabout 2-5 min by taxi
Most useful local bus stop for arrivals into the onsen area; good for light luggage, but a taxi or pickup is easier if carrying large bags.
Aso Kumamoto Airportairport
42 kmabout 1.5-2 hr by caroften about 3 hr or more with transfers
Useful for travelers already flying into Kumamoto, but public transport usually requires more transfers than the Fukuoka side.
Fukuoka Airportairport
70 kmabout 2-2.5 hr by carabout 2.5-3.5 hr with bus connections
Usually the most practical airport for many visitors because long-distance bus access toward the Hita and Tsuetate area is comparatively strong.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Exceptional bath varietyThis is a strong pick if hot springs are your priority: the property offers multiple bath areas, including Higo-no-Yu, Bungo-no-Yu, Daishizen, and the open-air Kissho-no-Yu complex.
Rare two-prefecture settingFew ryokan can claim this kind of setting: Hizenya spans both Kumamoto and Oita, which gives the stay a memorable borderland identity and a sense of place unique to Tsuetate.
Historic atmosphere with real pedigreeFounded in 1690, the hotel has a long-established feel that adds character to the stay. It suits travelers who enjoy classic onsen destinations with heritage rather than a trendy boutique style.
Great for travelers coming from FukuokaAccess is easier than many rural onsen stays in Kyushu, with direct bus connections from Fukuoka and practical routing via Hita or Aso. That makes it a more convenient countryside onsen stop than many remote alternatives.
Good option for groups or familiesIts large scale, many facilities, and availability of a private family bath make it easier for families or mixed travel groups to enjoy an onsen trip without relying only on shared public baths.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Less intimate than a small ryokanHizenya is a sizable onsen hotel, so it will not deliver the quiet, highly personalized atmosphere of a small luxury ryokan with only a handful of rooms.
Best bath may require extra effortKissho-no-Yu is not right inside the main hotel flow; it is about 20 to 25 minutes on foot or a short drive away. Some guests may find that inconvenient, especially in bad weather.
Location is scenic but not centralTsuetate Onsen is a destination stay rather than a convenient sightseeing base for city travelers. If you want easy train access and walkable attractions nearby, this area can feel isolated.
Value may feel mixed for some guestsGuest feedback suggests staff and facilities are appreciated, but value for money is a weaker point than service. Travelers expecting sharp pricing for a rural stay may hesitate.
Style may feel dated in partsTravelers who prefer sleek modern design may find the overall atmosphere more traditional and old-fashioned than refined or contemporary. The appeal here is classic onsen resort character, not minimalist luxury.

Current position: 31st out of 51 ryokans in Kumamoto.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current ryokan	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