Whether it's admiring beautiful scenery or indulging in food, the joy of travel varies from person to person. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in something called "wellness tourism," which focuses on improving one's health through travel and involves incorporating experiences such as spas, food, and cultural exchange to bring balance to one's mind and body.

So, in this blog post, we will introduce  Japanese-style wellness tourism offered at Kurokawa Onsen, one of Japan's most popular hot spring resorts.

About 3 hours by express bus from Hakata Station, the gateway to Kyushu, you'll find the hot spring village of Kurokawa Onsen, nestled in the mountains at an altitude of 700 meters. Kurokawa is located in the Aso region of Kumamoto Prefecture, an area that has been designated as a World Geopark and World Agricultural Heritage for the unique relationship the locals have with their environment.

Currently, there are 30 ryokans in Kurokawa, and the tiny village has fans from all over the world. One of Kurokawa's charms is the beautiful landscape that the entire community worked together to create. Just taking a stroll in the serene environment here will put your heart at ease. This beautiful landscape has received numerous awards, including two stars in the 2009 edition of the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Wearing a yukata, hopping from one open-air bath to another at different ryokans—known as "yumeguri"—has become synonymous with Kurokawa Onsen.

The charming hot spring town of Kurokawa features a collection of unique ryokans offering you various wellness activities during your stay. Let's split these activities into four categories: relaxation, gourmet, fitness, and interaction.

Currently, the Environmental Agency classifies 10 different types of hot springs in Japan. Interestingly, out of these 10 types, Kurokawa Onsen is one of only a few places in the entire country where 7 different types of hot springs can be found in one location. With 30 ryokans in Kurokawa Onsen, each having its own hot spring source, bathers can enjoy a variety of different therapeutic effects just by hot spring hopping between different ryokan.

Highlights of unique Kurokawa hot springs

Visit up to three different baths with the convenient Onsen Hopping Pass!

Yumeguri, where bathers visit multiple baths in one visit to Kurokawa, is one of the most popular activities here. By purchasing one of the Onsen Hopping Passes shown in the photo, you can choose three of your favorite open-air baths to visit (out of 28 in total) located within Kurokawa Onsen.

Many people that work at the ryokans are certified Onsen Sommeliers and can provide helpful advice on which baths may be best for people with sensitive skin, etc.

Onsen Hopping Passes (made from local Oguni cedar) are available for purchase at the Onsen Association's Kazenoya information center (¥1500 per pass). The pass is good for entry at up to three different baths, and can also be exchanged for food or a souvenir at one of the ryokans. The pass makes a great memento of your trip. Additionally, 1% of the sales go towards preserving the unique atmosphere and natural environment of Kurokawa Onsen.

One reason people travel is for the food. When visiting a new place, you want to get a taste of the food that the area is known for. Healthy Japanese cuisine, with its balanced nutrition, makes up an important part of any trip to Japan.

Kumamoto Prefecture, where Kurokawa Onsen is located, is one of Japan's leading agricultural prefectures and produces a wide variety of delicious fruits and vegetables throughout the year. The Aso Caldera also provides abundant, clear groundwater that bubbles to the surface at many springs throughout the region. Kurokawa is a great place to come enjoy delicious food made from natural, quality ingredients that will leave both body and mind feeling great.

Gourmet Delights to Savor in and around Kurokawa Onsen

Left: Aso's famous akaushi-don. This popular dish features healthy and lean akaushi wagyu cooked to a medium-rare perfection and served over rice.
Right: Meals served at the ryokan in Kurokawa are all beautifully presented, showcasing the exquisite skill of each chef.

In the Aso region (where Kurokawa Onsen is located), there are many spots with magnificent views, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities at these spots, like yoga, forest bathing, and trekking. All of these spots are just a 30-minute drive from Kurokawa, making it an easy activitity to do while staying at your ryokan.

Oshitoishi Hill, a supposed "power spot," offers a 360-degree view of the vast grasslands of the Aso Caldera. This place, which is said to have been a prayer site for ancient people, also offers yoga workshops. Practicing yoga while absorbing the energies emitted by the great nature of Aso guarantees a sharpening of the senses and a detoxification of both the mind and body (approximately 1 hour, reservation required).

The view from Oshitoishi Hill. Hundreds of large stones are scattered across the landscape, including pyramid-shaped ones and stones engraved with ancient characters.

About 80% of the town of Minamioguni is covered by wilderness and forests. Kurokawa is surrounded by mountains, and just a 30-minute walk will take you to Seiryunomori Forest, filled with oaks, meadows, and ravines.

The forest covers about 80 hectares and, with well-maintained walking trails, is popular as a spot for forest bathing and bird watching. Be sure to take a guided walk with a local to get the most out of your relaxing journey (approximately 2 hours, reservation required).

One of the aspects of wellness tourism is experiencing the culture of the destination and discovering new perspectives by interacting with the locals. In this regard, a perfect activity is watching the traditional performing art called Yoshihara no Iwato Kagura, which was showcased at the Milan Expo. This style of kagura* has been passed down for over 120 years in the Yoshihara district of Manganji, located close to Kurokawa. It has even been designated as a National Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. If requested, performances can also be held at Yoshihara Shrine.

*Kagura is a performance of song and dance, dedicated to the gods to praying for bountiful harvests and other blessings

In addition to the activities introduced here, the Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association offers a variety of plans tailored to the time of season and number of people. Feel free to contact us and ask for suggestions.

Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association
Tel: 0967-44-0076
Inquiry Form
https://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/eng_new/contact/

Information on accommodations in Kurokawa Onsen
https://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/eng_new/