Overview

Discover the untouched beauty of Kuma Valley at Ayunosato. Let the sound of the Kuma River wash over you as you breathe in fresh mountain air and feel the peaceful rhythm of nature take over. For over 700 years, this valley has preserved its deep traditions, and Ayunosato invites you to step into that legacy with a stay that blends comfort, culture, and nature. You’ll find time slowing down as you reconnect with yourself in an elegant setting designed for deep rest.

Accommodation

Ayunosato offers a wide range of rooms to match your travel style, each with beautiful views of the Kuma River and Southern Kyushu Mountains. Whether you want to relax in a suite with a private open-air bath or stay in a simple Japanese-style room, you’ll always stay close to nature.

Panorama View Spa Suite (110m²): Unfold the windows and turn the entire living space and terrace into one open area. Enjoy a private bath and three beds—perfect for special trips with family or friends.

Luxury Spa Suite (90m²): Soak in a private open-air bath while relaxing on four Simmons beds. This spacious suite makes celebrating anniversaries or group getaways easy and comfortable.

Premium Spa Suite (70m²): With a scenic terrace and daybed, this suite offers a cozy retreat for couples or small families. You can work, relax, or simply enjoy the natural view from your bath.

Family Spa Suite (50m²): Ideal for families with children, this Japanese-Western hybrid room includes two beds and space for up to three futons. The private open-air bath overlooks the river.

Modern Japanese Spa Suite (50m²): Enjoy tatami floors, twin beds, and a comfortable sitting area. The private bath and balcony help you feel connected to the outdoors. Perfect for couples.

Standard Twin Spa Suite (40m²): This cozy room features a traditional Japanese sitting space and an open-air hot spring bath on the balcony. Ideal for solo travelers or couples.

Japanese Modern Twin Room (40m²): Twin beds on tatami flooring and a sofa facing the mountains create a relaxed and scenic experience. A great choice for couples or small families.

Classic Japanese Room (40–50m²): Sleep on futons and enjoy spacious traditional design. This room suits groups of up to six and lets you unwind in a true Japanese setting.

Universally Accessible Room (55m²): Wheelchair-friendly and designed with safety in mind, this spacious room includes handrails and smooth transitions to a scenic sitting area.

Japanese Modern Club Room (40m²): From the upper floors, enjoy wide views of Hitoyoshi’s rooftops and surrounding mountains. The glass-walled bathroom adds a luxurious touch.

Western-Style Business Room (25m²): Designed for comfort and convenience, this simple space includes modern essentials and full access to the hot springs. Great for quick work trips.

All rooms are non-smoking and include Wi-Fi, air purifiers, private baths or showers, and Thalgo Japon skincare products. You’ll also receive a waterproof travel pouch with a traditional pattern, a popular keepsake for many travelers.

Dining

Meals at Ayunosato capture the essence of Kuma Valley through fresh, seasonal ingredients. Each dish reflects the belief in shindofuji—the natural connection between your body and the land that feeds it.

Dinner

Enjoy a fusion-style kaiseki course that blends traditional Japanese techniques with Western touches. During ayu season (June to October), you can request grilled sweetfish as a special addition. The kitchen also accommodates halal, vegan, and allergy-friendly meals—just let them know when you book.

The chefs here don’t just cook—they grow the rice you eat, using spring water from the valley. Every dish, from simple sides to elegant centerpieces, highlights local ingredients in their peak condition.

Breakfast

Start your day with a colorful bento featuring seasonal vegetables, handmade juice, and a twist on local soba dango soup served in a creamy broth. Western options are also available if you prefer them.

Kuma Shochu Pairing

Ayunosato offers a curated selection of local Kuma Shochu—made in one of 27 local distilleries. With over 200 varieties, this rice-based spirit pairs beautifully with both Japanese and Western dishes. Try it straight, on the rocks, or warm. You can even enjoy a guided tasting.

Onsen and Wellness

Ayunosato’s hot spring, drawn from its original source, offers both private and communal baths filled with healing water. You’ll find a high-temperature sodium chloride and bicarbonate spring, known for relieving everything from sore muscles to chronic fatigue.

Yamanami no Yuya (3rd Floor)

Bathe in indoor or outdoor rock baths surrounded by greenery, or relax in the sauna while gazing at the Southern Kyushu Mountains.

Kura no Yudono (5th Floor)

Explore rock and ceramic baths, plus reclining tubs and a sauna, all built into a design inspired by the stone walls of Hitoyoshi Castle.

Private Baths in Spa Suites

Every suite with a private bath uses 100% natural spring water with automatic temperature control, ensuring comfort and preserving its mineral quality.

Foot Bath – Take-akari no Ashiyu

Outside the entrance, the foot bath offers a gentle way to enjoy the healing waters. Free towels are available, and soaking your feet improves circulation and eases fatigue.

Drinkable Spring Water

At the entrance, you can taste the Ayunosato Spring water. Drinking the hot spring water is said to help digestion, regulate metabolism, and ease chronic health concerns. Just don’t drink from the tubs—use the designated tap.

Guests with Tattoos Ayunosato welcomes all travelers. Tattoo policies are not restrictive, so you can relax in the baths without concern.

Facilities

The ryokan includes thoughtful details like air purifiers, washlet toilets, and refrigerators in every room. You’ll also find:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Yukata robes
• Heated floors in select rooms
• Shochu pairings in the dining area
• Public foot bath and drinkable onsen station

Activities

While at Ayunosato, enjoy the simple pleasures of a quiet stay—long baths, scenic walks, or time spent reading on the terrace. From your room or the bath, you can watch the sun rise over the Kuma River or catch the mist rolling over the mountains. Take time to reconnect—with nature, food, and yourself.

Additional Features

• All rooms are non-smoking
• Private open-air baths available in many rooms
• In-house rice cultivation and cooking with local spring water
• Flexible meal options for vegan, halal, and allergy-conscious travelers
• Free towel rentals at foot bath
• Staff can accommodate special celebration plans with advance notice

From the first moment you step inside Ayunosato, you begin a journey of healing and quiet joy. Whether you’re here for the food, the hot springs, or the views, your time in Kuma Valley will stay with you long after you leave.