Senju no sato Ramune Onsen

My wife and I came in mid-March and fell in love with the place. Sakura season had just begun, and it was breathtaking. The individual cabins were spacious, clean, and had everything we needed, including comfortable beds in that old-school style. It’s rustic and lovely, with a secluded cabin-in-the-woods feel among stunning mountains, but it’s still easy to reach. This isn’t a luxury resort, and it doesn’t need to be. It feels like a classic home-away-from-home, and it made for a romantic getaway. I’m thankful family-run places like this still exist. The owners were some of the nicest people we’ve met. They spoke enough English to help us, checked on us, and showed us around. The kind lady even gave us a sweet potato to eat! And the onsen was stunning. The outdoor one is among my top five. It was warm, comfortable, and bubbly, and the private onsens were great for two. We love this place and are planning a trip just to return as soon as we can. Thank you for everything! 🙏

The water quality and temperature were both good, and even in winter it’s warm enough to enjoy a soak. Since it’s called Ramune Onsen, I expected lots of carbonation, but there aren’t any bubbles at all, even though it is a carbonated spring. If you bring a hair dryer, take an extension cord too, because the outlet is quite high, well above eye level.

The spring water kept flowing out, and just looking at it felt nice. I’d heard the temperature was high, so I wasn’t expecting bubbles from a carbonated spring. I guessed the water was around 43 degrees and even thought it could be a bit warmer, but it felt very pleasant. There are no amenities, and the hair dryer is by reception, so it’s not the most convenient setup. Some people have complained and left bad reviews, and I thought they might be happier at a hotel with a circulating, filtered hot spring. This place has its own good points. Still, with no bubbles in a carbonated spring, I don’t think Ramune Onsen is a fitting name.

I stopped here for a day-trip soak on the way to Kagoshima Airport. The mineral-rich water was heavenly and just the right temperature. It was peaceful too, with only the sound of water pouring into the bath. I was surprised by some of the negative reviews. I’d like to visit again.