Ueki Onsen Kirinoyu

Beautiful and clean.

The rooms with open-air baths are a real plus since you can use them any time, day or night, and the staff are so welcoming. The food was delicious, but there were too many dishes for me to finish. I heard the portions are smaller than they used to be (◠‿◠). I’ll definitely come back, so thanks in advance. Ueki Onsen has its own hot spring sources in different spots, and the water’s slippery feel varies by location.

I’ve been coming to this inn for several decades. The hot spring water is wonderful, and both dinner and breakfast are delicious, with such a wide selection and generous amounts that you may not finish it all. I was especially struck by how abundant breakfast was, as well as dinner. Before the Kumamoto earthquake, the water had a strong sulfur smell. After the earthquake it became much more slippery. Oddly enough, that change has made it one of my favorites.

I stopped here while returning from Fukuoka. The receptionist was very friendly, and the free-flowing hot spring water felt smooth and warmed me up. It might be a bit too hot for babies. There’s an open-air bath too, so maybe you could adjust the temperature as you bathe. I’d like to stay here during fireworks season next time.