Nemunohana

What stood out most was how genuinely warm the staff were. People use the word Omotenashi a lot for Japanese hospitality, but at Nembu no Hana, I felt it in every part of the stay. The grounds were peaceful, and the room and bath had a quiet, rustic charm. Dinner and breakfast were generous and delicious too. We stayed one night this April and had an exceptional time. I don’t know when I’ll return to Miyazaki, but I’d definitely stay here again. One more thing: there’s an unbelievably delicious u-pick strawberry farm in town about 10 minutes down the road. We picked 2 kg and ate them all within a few hours.

The food and attentive service were what I liked best. Breakfast and dinner could be served whenever we came down, freshly prepared, and every dish using local ingredients was careful and delicious. We ate in a private room, which was another nice touch. The staff readily agreed to our requests for a surprise cake and photo shoot alongside the standard course, and their courteous attention impressed me in other ways too. This is a luxury ryokan in Kitago Onsen. Each room is a separate annex, so you can relax without worrying about other guests, and every room has its own private open-air bath. At night we enjoyed the hot spring water straight from the source while looking up at the stars. It’s certainly not cheap, but I felt it was well worth it and left very satisfied. I’d like to stay again if I get the chance.

For the past four or five years, I’ve stayed here about five times a year, and every visit feels like going back to a vacation home. The food is incredible. Having a beer while trying the creative seasonal dishes is pure bliss, and Chef Hidaka-san’s skill is clear. It’s food I can’t get anywhere else. The open-air bath connects to the indoor one and is so comfortable I keep soaking in it again and again. I’d usually keep a place this good to myself and not write a review, but I had to post about it.

The hospitality made me want to come back. They treat each encounter as something special, and I’m already looking forward to returning. I’ve stayed at many hot spring inns in Kyushu, but this one was the most wonderful by far. I stayed in the "Sora" room twice, and both the room and the garden were so lovely I could have stayed forever. The moss and the view where the two rivers meet were breathtaking, and the whole place felt so peaceful that time just drifted by. The garden’s open-air bath was incredibly relaxing, too. Meals didn’t have a set time, so we could come whenever we wanted. Even so, every dish was carefully made and delicious.