Sujiyu Onsen Daikokuya

The five private baths were a real plus. You can have one to yourself or share it with a partner. The rooms aren't the best in the world, but the simple pork shabu shabu dinner, loaded with seasonal vegetables, was satisfying and delicious. The place is beautiful, quiet, and tucked beside a rushing river. There are no big tourist crowds or gift shop bustle.

Friendly staff and a traditional onsen with charm. The place is a bit old.

We were visiting Kyushu and the owner was really helpful during our stay at Sujiyu Onsen. Since he rides motorcycles too, he gave us lots of useful information. Parking was convenient, and there were two private hot springs. His work was tasteful and precise. We liked it so much that we asked to add another night, but the inn was closed the next day. The owner contacted another inn he knew, so we still got to enjoy Sujiyu Onsen to the fullest.

For around 5,500 yen on weekdays, you can stay here without meals. It's a good value, and dinner is available at the izakaya downstairs. The inn is in the center of Sujiyu Onsen, near public baths such as the cascading hot springs. Entry coins for those springs cost 200 yen, although other inns in town often provide them free. Shampoo and other amenities are free, but towels and toothbrushes cost extra. There's a microwave and kettle, so bringing your own lunch can cut costs. The Japanese-style room was spacious enough. You can hear some sounds from outside and inside. The town itself was quiet, but large motorcycles passing by were quite bothersome. The parking lot fits up to six cars. It's narrow and tricky to turn around in, so larger or lowered cars should use public parking lot No. 1, a few minutes away. The inn's bath is in the basement, down a steep indoor staircase. It was empty on a weekday, so we could use the private bath whenever we wanted. The free-flowing water was very refreshing. We had dinner at the first-floor izakaya. For an adult man, all-you-can-eat and drink was about 5,000 yen. The beer was ice cold, the grilled chicken wings were excellent, and the ramen at the end was pretty good. We were very satisfied and would return if we're nearby. There are a lot of ups and downs in the building and parking area, though, so it isn't a good choice for older people with mobility issues.