Ryokan Kinsui

We were a group of nine after a memorial service and had a comfortable room to eat in. There aren’t many parking spots, but it didn’t feel unexpectedly cramped. The food was fine, though nothing particularly stood out, and I’d like to try lunch next time. The restaurant is separate from the inn, with its own entrance, and it sits off the main street. Maybe that’s why it has plenty of long-time regulars. I heard it moved here about 20 years ago, and apparently wives often come for lunch. It’s a laid-back place. We weren’t sure about the booking time or number of people until the last minute, but they handled it appropriately.

We were able to get around without a car. The inn is about a six-minute walk from the Jusanbu bus stop, and you can reach Kurume Station without changing buses. There’s also a 24-hour supermarket about three minutes away on foot. Our room was clean and had basic amenities, including loungewear. The staff were kind, and I felt comfortable there. We had both dinner and breakfast included, and enjoyed both meals. I’d stay again if I get the chance.

This is a traditional inn where you take your shoes off at the entrance. There’s no elevator, so carrying my heavy luggage up to the third floor was a pain. The key doesn’t auto-lock either. The unit was old, and the bed had mattresses stacked on top of each other, making it strangely soft and uncomfortable to sleep on. The walls were thin enough that I could hear people talking next door. Even with vacant rooms, they put guests in adjoining rooms, perhaps for efficiency. They could leave a room empty between guests since it would be easier to clean.

We stayed here for our children’s sports tournament. Beforehand, we called many times, and they always responded pleasantly. Kinsui did their best to help us, and the facility was very clean and thoughtfully maintained. We were comfortable during our stay and would definitely use them again if we have the opportunity.