16 New Spots! [Kurokawa Onsen] Travel to Minamioguni, an Even More Attractive Place

Kurokawa Onsen (Minamioguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture) and the surrounding area have undergone major transformation in recent years, becoming increasingly attractive and attracting attention from travel enthusiasts.

We'll introduce you to 16 new spots where you can forget about your busy daily life and reset your mind and body, including satoyama cafes, hot spring baths, nature experiences, and photogenic spaces.

Most of the spots are within a 10-minute drive from the center of Kurokawa Onsen town.

Day-trip hot spring "Kokichinoyu" is back after 8 years!

Kokichi no Yu is a day-trip hot spring nestled in the mountains, just a few minutes' drive from Kurokawa Onsen town. It was temporarily closed due to the effects of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and the 2020 heavy rains, but reopened in October 2024 after an eight-year hiatus.

Image: PR TIMES

Its charm lies in its secluded atmosphere in a quiet forest surrounded by trees, and it features a charming indoor bath and a private open-air bath.

Kurokawa Onsen is home to a rare milky sulfur spring, and the water has a slight sulfur scent and is said to moisturize the skin. It's also gushing with hot spring minerals!

Even after reopening, the hot spring continues to boast high-quality water directly from its own hot spring source, making it a famous hot spring that has attracted the attention of many hot spring fans.

There are three private baths, and soap and hair dryers are provided (shampoos are only provided for private baths). The bathing fee is 700 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary school students and younger (2,500 yen for 60 minutes of private bath).

＜施設情報＞
■耕きちの湯
住所：熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町満願寺6363-1
電話番号：0967-44-0365
営業時間：10：00～19：00（最終受付18：00）
定休日：水曜日

One CAFFE: A cafe with a dog run!

One CAFFE is a cafe with an attached dog run located along National Route 442 in the Tanohara area, about a five-minute drive from Kurokawa Onsen. It was renovated in March 2025.

Image: PR TIMES

While admiring the lush green scenery, you can enjoy authentic coffee brewed in an espresso machine and light snacks. Menu items include "Cafe Latte" and "Caramel Macchiato" (400-450 yen each), homemade "Hot Dog" (400 yen), "Cheese Dog" (450 yen), and "Apple Pie" (250 yen). Take-out is also available.

Pets are allowed on the terrace seats, and you can let your dog play to its heart's content in the adjacent dog run.

＜店舗情報＞
■ワンCAFFE
住所：熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町満願寺7295-2
電話番号：080-8493-6957
営業時間：10：00～16：30
定休日：火曜・水曜（不定休あり）

Enjoy a leisurely morning at SLOW WALK CAFE in the hot spring town

SLOW WALK CAFE is a cafe where you can relax surrounded by the scenery of the four seasons. It opened in May 2025 in the central area of Kurokawa Onsen town.

Image: PR TIMES

It is open from 8am to 2pm, so we recommend visiting in the morning.

The cafe is popular for its aromatic coffee and hearty sandwiches, and for breakfast you can enjoy cassoulet, canelés, and seasonal sweets made with local ingredients (sandwiches and canelés are only available once they are sold out).

<Store Information>
■SLOW WALK CAFE
Address: 6695 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business hours: 8:00-14:00
Closed: Monday to Wednesday (open 4 days a week, check Instagram)
Instagram: @slowwalkcafe (linkHere）

A hearty lunch! Retro Showa-era Western Restaurant Crown

Western Restaurant Crown opened in the Nakahara district, about a 20-minute drive from Kurokawa Onsen, in February 2025. The restaurant evokes the atmosphere of the 1970s to 1990s, with music played on records playing, allowing you to enjoy your meal in a nostalgic setting.

The signature dish, "Minamioguni Rice (Medium)" (2,000 yen), is a hearty dish that combines pork cutlet, fried chicken, and steak.

Image: PR TIMES

Other dishes include "Omurice" (1,000 yen), "Hamburger steak set meal" (1,500 yen), and "Fried chicken nanban set" (1,200 yen). It is popular among locals as a set meal restaurant during the day and a Western-style bar at night.

<Store Information>
■ Western restaurant Crown
Address: 840 Nakahara, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Opening hours: 11:00-15:00 (last orders 14:30), 18:00-22:00 (last orders 21:30) *Dinner service only on weekends and holidays
Closed: Thursdays

Home cooking from around the world! Cafe restaurant "Home cooking and cafe Lemon"

Lemon, a cafe restaurant and restaurant serving home-cooked meals, opened in the Akababa district of Minamioguni Town in February 2024. They serve home-cooked meals made with locally grown highland vegetables and rice.

Image: PR TIMES

In the morning, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, such as the "Morning Set" (various options starting from 700 yen) with homemade bread, and at lunch and dinner, "Napolitan" (900 yen), "Omurice" (1,000 yen), "Beef Tendon Stew Curry" (1,100 yen), and "Seasonal World Home-Cooked Cuisine (daily specials)."

<Store Information>
■ Home cooking and cafe Lemon
Address: 2048-1 Akababa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture (near Manganji Post Office)
Business hours: 7:30-21:00 (Morning 7:30-10:30 / Lunch 11:30-14:00 / Dinner 17:00-21:00) *May vary depending on the situation
Closed: Irregular holidays (announced on Instagram, etc.)
Instagram: ＠lemon.totoronokasa2025 (linkHere）

A starry sky! CAMP BOSS DOG, a private campsite reclaimed from the forest

CAMP BOSS DOG is a private campsite that opened in Minamioguni Town in 2025. This handcrafted auto campsite was carved out of the mountain by the owner himself, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature all to yourself, including the starry sky and the sounds of wild birds.

Image: PR TIMES

The terraced fields are lined with private sites, including car sites and dog sites where pets are allowed. Conveniently located close to the hot spring town and supermarket, you can also enjoy the wild atmosphere of a secret base.

You can use the kitchen, simple flush toilets, and shower rooms (200 yen for use), and open fires are allowed (fire pits are recommended). Site usage fees are 3,200-3,800 yen per night plus admission (500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children), and solo camping is reasonably priced at 1,800-2,400 yen including admission. It's a "playground for adults" where you can fully enjoy the nature of Aso.

<Facility information>
■CAMP BOSS DOG
Address: 3779 Akababa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Opening period: All year round (open in winter)
Check-in/out: 13:00~/12:00 the next day (*Early check-in is possible if there is availability)
HP: https://campbossdog.wixstudio.com/home (linkHere）

Satoyama Photogenic Cafe "Takeno Kuma"

Cafe Takeno Kuma opened in the Takeno Kuma district of Akababa, Minamioguni Town in May 2023. It is a unique cafe that blends beautiful architecture with a water theme into the satoyama landscape.

Image: PR TIMES

The structure allows water to circulate from the roof to the grounds, representing the flow of water that supports life in the Satoyama area.

The building is purposefully designed without electric lighting, relying solely on natural light streaming in from all sides. The light and shadows that change with the time of day and the seasons create a fantastical atmosphere.

The menu is packed with local produce, and the popular "Three Kinds of Rice Set" allows you to enjoy three exquisite types of rice made with seasonal ingredients, along with a sweet treat. The dishes are carefully made using ingredients such as rice from Minamioguni and seasonal vegetables, and have a gentle flavor.

Image: PR TIMES

They also boast high-quality specialty coffee sourced from a specialized roaster in Kurume City, Fukuoka, and a cup of coffee while gazing at the scenery of the Satoyama is exceptional. The breezes blowing through and the sounds of the streams are also soothing, making this a photogenic spot in a hidden village.

As the number of seats is limited, entry is restricted when it is crowded. Also, the restaurant may be closed temporarily depending on the season and weather, so please check in advance.

<Facility information>
■ Takeno Kuma Cafe
Address: 2041 Akababa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00-16:00 (last order 15:30)
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Parking: Available (Parking is not available on the store premises. Please use the nearby facility "FIL Parking")
HP: https://takenokuma.jp/ (linkHere）

A new attraction in Kurokawa Onsen! Bakery and cafe "Au Pan & Coffee"

Au Pan & Coffee opened in October 2024 as the flagship store of Au Kurokawa, a new food hub in Kurokawa Onsen, about a five-minute walk from the center of Kurokawa Onsen town.

Image: PR TIMES

"Au Kurokawa" is a project by the Kurokawa Onsen Tourist Inn Cooperative Association to separate lodging and dining. It is a large-scale plan to develop a group of restaurants for the community to share, separate from the inns, and a total of eight restaurants are planned to be built on the site.

Au Pan & Coffee, which opened as a pioneer in this trend, serves bread made with locally grown wheat and spring water, as well as specialty coffee. It has already become a popular new attraction in Kurokawa Onsen.

Image: PR TIMES

Every morning, the aroma of croissants, baguettes, and other pastries being baked in the shop's workshop draws in many visitors, not just tourists but also locals.

You can also eat in, and enjoy the flavors of Kurokawa's Satoyama countryside, such as seasonal vegetable sandwiches and homemade soup. We also recommend spending time on the spacious wooden deck terrace.

<Facility information>
Au Pan & Coffee
Address: 6567 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business hours: 8:00-18:00 (or until bread runs out)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Parking: Available
HP: https://www.aukurokawa.jp/tenanto/aupan (linkHere）

Cafe & Beer ApeRo: A stylish cafe and bar from a traditional Japanese inn

Cafe & Beer ApeRo is a cafe bar that opened in 2024 at Oyado Noshiyu, a ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen town.
*The "e" in "Cafe" is correctly written with an acute accent "´" above it.

Image: PR TIMES

It is open mainly on weekends (and irregularly on weekdays), and serves dishes such as "Croque Monsieur" (1,000 yen) and "Siphon Coffee" (700 yen). It is a place of relaxation for hot spring fans.

As the name of the restaurant means "aperitif" in French, it is the perfect place to spend some time before checking into your inn.

<Facility information>
■ Cafe & Beer ApeRo
Address: 6592-2 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture (near Kaze no Ya)
Opening hours: [Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday] 11:00-16:30, [Tuesday] 10:30-15:30, [Wednesday, Thursday] 11:00-16:00 *May vary depending on the season and reservations
Closed: Irregular holidays

Pet Care Salon Cafe Mimamori: Cafe & Pet Grooming

Pet Care Salon Cafe Mimamori, located in Akababa, Minamioguni Town, is a perfect place for people with pets, as it operates as a cafe (pets allowed), grooming salon (advance reservations recommended), and pet hotel (temporary care).

The cafe is open mainly on weekends and serves healthy dishes made with organic ingredients (some menus require reservations).

Image: PR TIMES

They also breed small birds, so you might even come across some cute parakeets or Java sparrows.

<Facility information>
■Pet Care Salon Cafe Mimamori
Address: 121-1 Akababa, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Business hours: [Saturday] 11:00-15:00 / 18:00-22:00, [Sunday] 11:00-16:00
Closed: Monday to Friday (Temporary openings and closures will be announced on social media)
Parking: Available

A shop loved by locals! Handmade soba "Kiyoka"

"Teuchi Soba Kisika" opened in October 2024 in the Akababa area near Kurokawa Onsen. With its calm wooden building, it is a restaurant loved by tourists and locals alike.

Image: PR TIMES

They are proud of their hand-made soba noodles, which are made from stone-ground buckwheat produced in Kumamoto Prefecture and have a smooth texture.

In fact, this restaurant has taken over the business of the locally beloved "Fukuichi Ramen Oguni Branch" and has been reborn as a new soba restaurant. The "Miso Pork Tsukesoba" inherited from the previous owner is popular for its rich, homemade miso flavor, and you can also enjoy the refreshing "Lemon Soba," the classic Tempura Soba, and Duck Nanban.

＜施設情報＞
■手打ちそば 季四華（きよか）
住所：熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町赤馬場1561
電話：0967-42-1237
営業時間：11：00〜14：30（L.O.14：00）、【金・土曜のみ】17：30〜20：30（L.O.20：00）
定休日：不定休

Zenya: Enjoy Satoyama Kaiseki cuisine in a 180-year-old traditional Japanese house built at the end of the Edo period

Zenya Restaurant is a reservation-only restaurant located in the quiet Oda Onsen area, also known as the inner sanctum, about a five-minute drive from Kurokawa Onsen town.

The restaurant is located in a quaint building that was renovated from an old house built at the end of the Edo period, approximately 180 years ago, and is known as a renowned restaurant for its country-style kaiseki cuisine. It temporarily closed around 2023, but made its long-awaited reopening in August 2024.

Image: PR TIMES

The entrance hall is decorated with antique beams and an open hearth, creating a nostalgic and relaxing space. Spending time gazing at the garden and cedar forest outside the window is sure to be an extraordinary and relaxing experience.

The restaurant serves country kaiseki cuisine made with plenty of local ingredients, focusing on Kumamoto's famous Akagyu beef, as well as seasonal vegetables and rice from Minamioguni Town.

In addition to the popular chef's choice set menu, you can also enjoy a variety of dishes such as sirloin steak, sukiyaki set menu, and dishes made with Aso-raised Asobi pork. The estimated budget is around 3,000 to 5,000 yen.

It is also recommended for travelers who want to spend a special night.

Image: PR TIMES

＜店舗情報＞
■お食事処 禪墅-ZENYA（ぜんや）
住所：熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町満願寺5939（小田温泉）
電話：0967-44-0191
営業時間：18：00〜21：00（L.O.19：30）※昼は3日前までの予約制
定休日：水曜日・木曜日

A new food hub in Kurokawa Onsen! "YOSHUKU" where you can enjoy Satoyama cuisine made with local ingredients

"YOSHUKU" opened in September 2023 at the foot of Marusuzu Bridge in Kurokawa Onsen town. It is a sister hotel of "Okyakuya", a long-established inn in the hot spring town.

The interior of the restaurant has a calming atmosphere that makes use of the warmth of wood. You can enjoy a relaxing meal while looking out the window at the scenery of the hot spring town.

The store's name, derived from the ancient Japanese custom of "yoiwai," embodies the idea that "celebrating a good future in advance will bring about a bountiful harvest."

The cuisine is centered around Satoyama cuisine, which incorporates plenty of seasonal vegetables and local ingredients from Aso and Minamioguni. Dishes include rice cooked in a clay pot, Akagyu beef hamburger steak, udon noodles made with rice flour, and the reservation-only "Goen Gozen" and "Satoyama Temaki Sushi."

Image: PR TIMES

There is also a shop selling locally produced seasonings and processed foods, making it a great place to pick out souvenirs. As a new food hub for Kurokawa Onsen, it is a place where you can experience the local lifestyle and culture.

＜店舗情報＞
■予祝-YOSHUKU（よしゅく）
住所：熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町大字満願寺6600-1（丸鈴橋そば）
電話：0967-44-0454（御客屋で受付）
営業時間：金・土・日11：00〜16：00（ランチ）
定休日：月〜木曜（臨時休業あり）
HP：https://yosyuku-kurokawa.jp/（リンクはHere）

Enjoy a casual drink at Goto Liquor Store's Kakuuchi bar, connecting locals and travelers

Goto Liquor Store, located in a corner of Kurokawa Onsen town in Minamioguni, has opened a "corner drinking corner" where customers can casually grab a drink in front of the store.

After strolling around Kurokawa Onsen, it's a wonderful experience to chat with locals and fellow travelers while sipping on some chilled local sake.

Image: PR TIMES

Drinks made with fruits from Kumamoto Prefecture and hot spring eggs of the day are also popular.

<Store Information>
■Goto Liquor Store
Address: 6991-1 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
HP: https://www.gotosake.com/ (linkHere）

Guesthouse Rin: A place where you can spend your time surrounded by the scent of Oguni cedar!

Guesthouse Rin has opened in an area with good access to the hot spring town and tourist attractions, attracting attention as a base for the renewal of Minamioguni Town.

The owner himself renovated the beautifully appointed space, which features warm wooden floors and beams, an open-ceiling structure, and windows that let in greenery and natural light. The guesthouse offers a lodging experience that combines Japanese charm with modern comfort.

Image: PR TIMES

You can sleep soundly surrounded by the scent of Oguni cedar, or feel the difference in temperature between morning and evening. It seems like a stay that will reset your mind and body. The price is 6,400 yen per person, or 24,000 yen for the entire building (up to 6 people).

<Facility information>
■Guest House RIN
Address: 1824-5 Akababa, Oguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture

Ogi Onsen Ogiso: A mountain village inn boasting a spectacular open-air bath and skin-beautifying hot springs!

In July 2025, Ogi Onsen Ogiso completely renovated the main building's guest rooms, enhancing comfort by installing the popular beanbag sofa, Yogibo, in the modern Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring.

This inn is located near Kurokawa Onsen and has 8 rooms in the main building and 4 annex buildings (12 rooms in total). It is known for its open-air baths with spectacular views of the Aso mountain range and its skin-beautifying waters.

As the tagline suggests, "A decadent Japanese-style room," you can enjoy a special, relaxing time in a quiet environment.

There are plenty of bathing options, including a mixed outdoor bath, a large rock bath, and a private cypress bath. Enjoy a soothing stay, complete with a local kaiseki meal featuring Aso Akagyu beef and seasonal vegetables.

<Facility information>
■ Ogi Onsen Ogiso
Address: 2871-1 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Closed: Irregular holidays
HP: http://aso-oogiso.com/ (linkHere）

What did you think? It's a lovely season. Be sure to go out and enjoy the weather. (Written by ARNE Editorial Department)

*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax. *PR TIMES (SMO Minamioguni Co., Ltd.)
* Any secondary use of this site's content (images, text, etc.) including copying, reprinting, diversion, or modification without permission is strictly prohibited. If discovered, legal action may be taken.

#go out Check them all out!
#drive　#hot spring　#family
⇒【NEW】Click here for the latest information on Fukuoka

＜Other articles you may like＞
◆[Fukuoka Prefecture] 25 Stunning Autumn Foliage Spots
◆[Konmari's] Plan to declutter your home before the end of the year <1>
◆[Updated every Wednesday] Evelourdes Haruka's 12 Zodiac Signs