Kumamoto · Kurokawa Onsen
Kurokawa Onsen Shinmeikan (Cave Bath)
黒川温泉 新明館（洞窟風呂）
A long-established inn taking part in Kurokawa Onsen's famous open-air bath hopping, in Minamioguni, Aso, Kumamoto. Its signature is the cave bath, said to have been hand-dug by the previous owner with only a chisel over some 30 years - a one-of-a-kind soak where spring water wells up inside the rock. Day visitors can use the mixed-bathing Iwato-no-Yu open-air bath and the cave bath (Ana-buro, gender-separated plus a women-only cave), and the Kurokawa bath-hopping wooden tablet is accepted. The water is a smooth, heat-retaining sodium chloride / sulfate spring flowing free. Day bathing is 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary and under, 8:30-18:00 (last entry 17:30). Overnight guests also enjoy the indoor bath, family bath and private baths (Kaze-no-Yu, Kajika-no-Yu). About 10 minutes on foot from the Kurokawa Onsen bus stop, beside the clear Tazuhara stream.
- Price (adult)
- ¥500
- Hours
- 8:30-18:00 (last entry 17:30)
- Closed
- Irregular
- Access
- 6608 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto (postal code 869-2402). About 10 minutes on foot from the Kurokawa Onsen bus stop (Kyushu Odan Bus). By car, about 1 hour from Kokonoe IC; use the Kurokawa Onsen communal parking lot. Tel 0967-44-0916.
- Water type
- Simple spring
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0967-44-0916
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Kurokawa Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
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Why go
- The famed cave bath, hand-dug by the previous owner over ~30 years with a chisel; spring water wells up inside
- Day bathing: mixed Iwato-no-Yu open-air bath + gender-separated & women-only cave baths; bath tablet accepted
- 500 yen adults / 300 yen elementary and under, 8:30-18:00 (last entry 17:30); guests get family & private baths
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- There is a mixed-gender area. Check the description for bathing garments and women-only hours.
- Ryokan day-use hours are limited and may be suspended in peak season — phone the same morning.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Who with
Rules & private
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-10 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Kurokawa Onsen Nyuto Tegata (bath-hopping pass)
One cedar 'nyuto tegata' pass (¥1,500) admits you to any three of the rotenburo at Kurokawa's 26-odd ryokan. Valid for six months, and one of the three stickers can be spent on food or souvenirs instead. Most inns accept bathers roughly 8:30–21:00, but hours vary and some close for cleaning or when full. Buy the pass at any ryokan or the association office 'Kaze no Ya'.
Ana-yu communal bath
A tiny bath hut on the Tanohara River, rebuilt by donations in 2022 after the 2020 floods (now separate men's and women's rooms). Slide the shutters open and it becomes almost open-air. ¥200 in the box.
Jizō-yu (Kurokawa communal bath)
The oldest communal bath in town, next to the Jizō hall that gives Kurokawa its identity. Not covered by the bath-hopping pass, but only ¥200. No soap; the water runs hot.
