겟코주 쿠로카와

예약 힘든 겟코주 료칸을 방문하게 된 것만으로도 좋았습니다 기대만큼이나 훌륭했습니다 예상하는만큼 비쌌지만 후회하진 않네요 꼭 재예약해서 재방문 하려고 합니다

Everything is perfect!!!

This is by far the best onsen ryokan experience I’ve ever had. The environment is beautiful, the room is clean and very comfortable, and the overall atmosphere is incredibly relaxing. The kaiseki dinner was delicious, though the portion was so generous that we couldn’t finish everything. The staff didn’t speak much English, but communication was still smooth with simple gestures and phone translation — we never missed any important information. We especially loved the additional experiences, such as the sky onsen and the cave onsen, which made the stay feel even more special. The complimentary drop-off and pick-up service to Kurokawa Town for the LED illumination after dinner was also a wonderful touch. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable and unique onsen ryokan stay.

On our three-week trip to Japan, there were three experiences I knew I wanted beyond the usual Golden Route: visiting Kyushu, renting a car, and spending our anniversary night at a traditional ryokan with our four grown children. Gekkoju exceeded every expectation. After taking the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, we picked up our rental car and made the beautiful two-hour drive to Kurokawa Onsen. Along the way, we stopped for a short hike at Seiryu no Mori Trail, rang the anniversary bell at Lovers Hill near the Hiranodai Plateau Observation Deck, and took in sweeping views of the Aso Five Peaks, often called the “Reclining Buddha.” In late spring and summer, the landscape is an almost impossibly vibrant green—one of the most beautiful natural settings we encountered anywhere in Japan. We arrived at Gekkoju in the afternoon and were immediately impressed. As we approached the entrance, staff members greeted us with warm smiles and bows as the gates opened. From that moment until check-out, every detail felt thoughtful, elegant, and refined. Upon arrival, guests choose reservation times for the property’s two private communal onsen. Each villa also includes its own indoor cypress bath and private open-air bath with stunning views, so there are plenty of opportunities to soak. Our four children (ages 20–27) stayed together in the Tenshin villa, while my husband and I stayed in Yoimachi, a spacious two-story villa. After settling in, we changed into the provided yukata and headed to our first reserved onsen, Dokutsuburo, an atmospheric indoor cave bath. My daughter and I absolutely loved it—the steam, the stone, and the unique setting made it unforgettable. My husband and sons enjoyed it less, but that’s part of the fun of having multiple bathing experiences to compare. Back at our villas, everyone spent time enjoying their private baths. Coordinating bath time among four adult siblings, one of whom was a girl, required a surprising amount of texting, but somehow they made it work. Dinner was one of the highlights of our stay. Rather than dining in our rooms, we chose to eat together in the restaurant to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. As the sun began to set, golden light poured through the windows, illuminating the surrounding mountains. The view was breathtaking. The kaiseki meal showcased local Kyushu ingredients and specialties, including Kumamoto’s famous basashi (horse sashimi). Every course was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. We paired the meal with sake and cocktails, and the entire evening felt festive and special. The staff kindly took anniversary photos for us at sunset—photos that I know I’ll treasure forever. When dinner concluded, we returned to our rooms with a plate of homemade onigiri the waitstaff sent with us as a late-night snack, and our children surprised us with a bottle of champagne. It was one of those perfect evenings that you’ll remember long after the trip ends. Later that night, my husband and I used our children’s reservation at Tenku, the open-air bath at the highest point of the property. If you’re staying at Gekkoju, my strongest recommendation is to reserve this bath after dark. The climb up the hillside is steep and involves numerous stone steps, but soaking under the stars made the trek worthwhile. This does lead to one important consideration: guests with mobility limitations may find the property’s layout challenging. The villas, restaurant, and baths are connected by steep stone pathways and stairs. The staff may be able to assist with transportation around the grounds via golf cart, but it’s worth discussing accessibility needs before booking. We slept incredibly well that night. The mountain air was cool enough to leave the sliding doors open behind the insect screens, and because our trip was the first half of June and the humidity was ramping up elsewhere in Japan, it was perfect to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful in a way that’s difficult to d

On our three-week trip to Japan, there were three experiences I knew I wanted beyond the usual Golden Route: visiting Kyushu, renting a car, and spending our anniversary night at a traditional ryokan with our four grown children. Gekkoju exceeded every expectation. After taking the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, we picked up our rental car and made the beautiful two-hour drive to Kurokawa Onsen. Along the way, we stopped for a short hike at Seiryu no Mori Trail, rang the anniversary bell at Lovers Hill near the Hiranodai Plateau Observation Deck, and took in sweeping views of the Aso Five Peaks, often called the “Reclining Buddha.” In late spring and summer, the landscape is an almost impossibly vibrant green—one of the most beautiful natural settings we encountered anywhere in Japan. We arrived at Gekkoju in the afternoon and were immediately impressed. As we approached the entrance, staff members greeted us with warm smiles and bows as the gates opened. From that moment until check-out, every detail felt thoughtful, elegant, and refined. Upon arrival, guests choose reservation times for the property’s two private communal onsen. Each villa also includes its own indoor cypress bath and private open-air bath with stunning views, so there are plenty of opportunities to soak. Our four children (ages 20–27) stayed together in the Tenshin villa, while my husband and I stayed in Yoimachi, a spacious two-story villa. After settling in, we changed into the provided yukata and headed to our first reserved onsen, Dokutsuburo, an atmospheric indoor cave bath. My daughter and I absolutely loved it—the steam, the stone, and the unique setting made it unforgettable. My husband and sons enjoyed it less, but that’s part of the fun of having multiple bathing experiences to compare. Back at our villas, everyone spent time enjoying their private baths. Coordinating bath time among four adult siblings, one of whom was a girl, required a surprising amount of texting, but somehow they made it work. Dinner was one of the highlights of our stay. Rather than dining in our rooms, we chose to eat together in the restaurant to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. As the sun began to set, golden light poured through the windows, illuminating the surrounding mountains. The view was breathtaking. The kaiseki meal showcased local Kyushu ingredients and specialties, including Kumamoto’s famous basashi (horse sashimi). Every course was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. We paired the meal with sake and cocktails, and the entire evening felt festive and special. The staff kindly took anniversary photos for us at sunset—photos that I know I’ll treasure forever. When dinner concluded, we returned to our rooms with a plate of homemade onigiri the waitstaff sent with us as a late-night snack, and our children surprised us with a bottle of champagne. It was one of those perfect evenings that you’ll remember long after the trip ends. Later that night, my husband and I used our children’s reservation at Tenku, the open-air bath at the highest point of the property. If you’re staying at Gekkoju, my strongest recommendation is to reserve this bath after dark. The climb up the hillside is steep and involves numerous stone steps, but soaking under the stars made the trek worthwhile. This does lead to one important consideration: guests with mobility limitations may find the property’s layout challenging. The villas, restaurant, and baths are connected by steep stone pathways and stairs. The staff may be able to assist with transportation around the grounds via golf cart, but it’s worth discussing accessibility needs before booking. We slept incredibly well that night. The mountain air was cool enough to leave the sliding doors open behind the insect screens, and because our trip was the first half of June and the humidity was ramping up elsewhere in Japan, it was perfect to enjoy the fresh air and peaceful in a way that’s difficult to d