2-Star Hotels in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

The photos I saw when I booked this hot spring ryokan online seemed like nothing, but when I came here it was two completely different views. The hot spring in the room is very comfortable, the room is very clean, the environment is very quiet. This time it was one stay and two meals, the food was delicious, you can see the attentiveness of this hot spring inn, each food is small and tastes good. The staff who checked us in was very attentive and explained very clearly, the service was very good. The attitude of the restaurant's staff is also 10% satisfactory. I want this hostel from Aso Volcano, definitely a good choice. 

Despite our language barrier, the owner loves conversing with people, which is why he decided to open his guesthouse. He even recommended a little path that shows a great sunrise. I was greeted with some deers hopping in the distance at 6.30am. Truly magical and breathtaking. This is THE place for solo travellers. There’s a saying that it’s the people that makes the trip enjoyable and this place is proof. He charges for accommodation cheaply but offers beyond the cost, within his means happily. He loves anime like Attack on Titan and has watched Laputa 21 times. His hobbies include biking, hiking and has hiked Mt Kuju several times, Mt Aso too. He travelled to Vietnam Cambodia and Thailand solo trip too, and wants to do it again 3 years later. As my first time doing solo travelling, I couldn't be luckier than this to have met this wonderful host. I would say so far, my time spent in Kurokawa Onsen and together with the host is my whole trip’s highlight. I felt very safe and comfortable in this living space and truly enjoyed the nature surrounding it as well. I love the location of the guesthouse because I love walking and hiking. The main area of Kurokawa Onsen is quite a walk itself, so walking to the guesthouse was just extra leisure for me. Just make sure to follow google maps and the various sign boards he’s put up along the way! He offers a ride back and forth at 8.10am and 5pm to the main area anyway and to the supermarket if needed, very generous of him! Make sure to not be shy and chit-chat a lot with him! It was so much fun. The room was very cozy and with the 6 beds arranged, an extra 100 yen per night for the heater is totally reasonable to me! it felt like I was back to school and enjoyed the cleanliness and casualness of everything. Damn, this place has great interior design too. The lights have motion sensors, pretty cool! He also has his own little beautiful hot spring which you should pay extra if you want to bathe at night. Personally did not find the need after bathing at the town haha. Thank you for the comfort of home and lovely company!! I hope many people who enjoy company and nature stay here!! Highly recommended for at least 2 nights! The onsens are all very good and beautiful. I want to come again.

I have been staying in very special places in Japan: beautiful locations with lots of care and details but this one is my favorite so far! Yoshi and Myong made me feel super welcomed, comfy and happy in their guesthouse. I arrived with a BIG LUGAGGE which was right away taken up by Yoshi (thank you so much!!!) and when I left he reminded me I could ask for his help if I needed (which I did). I like to ”judge” a place by the comfiness of their sofas, and Aso Base delivered superb excellency! So many cozy corners, there's not even one futon that is not hyper soft! The bathrooms have some themes on the wall, one is the cat theme, another one jellyfish and the other is lizards, so I had fun time choosing what theme I would go to. The shower capsules have shampoo conditioner and soap and then an area to dry your hair with a great view! There's details that are just piece of art! A small corner with a table, cd player and CDs that are awesome- Japanese, international and relax music and audiobooks! I've searched many of them in Spotify and will keep listening. While you are listening there are some images, like a collage, and it's so well thought. Every image has a doll representing it live action as well, like dreams coming true. The kitchen is reeeeaallly equipped, drinking water at the tap and has lots of seasonings and teapots 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 There's extra blankets and pillows and some of the pillows are animal shaped 😺🐶🐷🐑 so during my four nights there I slept in the company of Mr Snuggles, a grey cat that smiled with his eyes closed - there was pinky pig and hairy sheep too! in the female dorm every bed has a blue sky wallpaper like in Toy Story!!!! 🥹 I was a bit worried because the comments say there's lots of rules and that they are strict and don't open the door for people in the rain. But the thing is: there are some rules, because they are two people (+ another lady who helps with cleaning) taking care of a big house. It needs some organization and routines. They provide storage and the area has great options to enjoy while waiting - if necessary. Is a small town, many great restaurants around - the shop right next to the station that sells local products is a must trying repeatedly, the best onsen in the region is 3 minutes away, a Lawson across the street. I greatly enjoyed my time in Aso and everyday was glad to be going back to Aso Base. It is a place to come with a light and warm heart and soul ( they will certainly retribute), where you can have great conversations, play games or read a book, cozily nested and drinking tea while the fireplace and many lighting create a whole vibe. I've booked 4 nights and wish they were 8! Kamsahamnida and Domo Arigato, Myong and Yoshi!!!

部屋は広々としていて、くつろげました。古さはありますが、清潔にされていて良かったです。 温泉も、熱い湯が好きな自分としては熱い所が小さかったのが気になりましたが空いていたので問題はありませんでした。温いお湯しかない所も多いので、あるだけプラスかなと思います。 アメニティーも充分でしたが、一つだけ悪い点としてスリッパが自分には合わず足の甲が痛くて苦痛でした。大浴場まで結構距離があるので、ここだけは改善してほしいなと思いました。もっと柔らかいものだと良いのかな？ それ以外は値段から見て大満足でした。また機会があれば行きたいですね。

The place was spotless and our room had two twin beds, a kitchenette, and the toilet space was modern and sparkling. What made this the best was its location on a little beach surrounded by mountains. Lots of parking for the cars (you have to drive there as it is remote) and the proprieters went above and beyond to give us a map of the area in English with notes telling us where cherry blossoms were blooming at that time and other things. Every day when we returned to the room there was a basket by the door with refreshed supplies. Our room had everything you needed to cook as well as a little table. You have to bring food from Amakusa City as there is no place to shop nearby but once you are there it is totally worth it. There is also plenty of picnic table style seating on the front patio of the rest house. We did not use them but they had stand-up paddleboards, snorkle gear, etc. The sound of the waves and lots of places to hike nearby were amazing.

It’s a good private house. But I’m won’t recommend if weather is cold or raining, or if you’re traveling with young kids. I travelled with my family with two toddlers. The bath and onsen are outdoors, not quite well lit and not well covered. The hot water water pressure is low, and the water is either very hot or very cold. It was a cold, raining and windy that night. It was a horrible experience for us because of the above, and the kids had a lot of trouble taking a bath. And we were worried they might catch a cold. And strangely the door lock of the bath is locked from the outside and not from the inside. Also remember to buy food before entering. We bought ours and cooked our own dinner. Otherwise, it’s a good private house, probably best for adults.

What a great experience! Very glad we spend one night at this unique place. The staff was extremely helpfull and kind. The rooms are very decent, considering it's an old sleeper train. Just keep in mind the rooms are quite narrow so there is not a lot of space to keep luggage in the room. And the other facilities (bathroom, common rooom) are not abundant, but clean and very much so sufficient for spending a night.