Yamaga Onsen Seiryuso

The rural hospitality made us feel especially welcome, and the property itself is gorgeous. We hardly saw anyone else staying there, which made it feel as if we had the place to ourselves. There’s an onsen and a foot bath overlooking the river.

The staff were helpful, and the owner of the ryokan even came over to greet us and chat. When we mentioned my friend’s birthday, she gave her a present the next day as we checked out. She was so kind, and it was clear she puts a lot of effort into making guests feel welcome. The dinner was one of the best I’ve ever had. I’d definitely come back to this lovely place when I’m in Kumamoto again.

The location is convenient, near the city center, and the building has a traditional feel. Beyond that, the facilities seemed old and tired. For a hotel this size, the public bath was surprisingly small and not especially memorable. Guest names are displayed at the entrance and by the shoe closet. It may be a traditional way to welcome people, but it leaves you with no privacy. Guests also leave their keys at the front desk when going out. After a walk, I asked for mine and was questioned about whether I had left it there. The previous shift’s older man had accidentally taken it with him, so the mistake wasn’t ours. At checkout, nobody apologized.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the onsen was great. Dinner and breakfast were delicious. I’d recommend staying here.