janev

Hi
We shall be visiting Japan In late March (our 2nd visit) - after Miyajima we are thinking of going to Fukuoka (we need to return there as we shall cross to Busan (Korea) from here). Hiring a car in Fukuoka (we live in England - so side of road no prob & have driven in Indonesia & Thailand etc. - just adding this as I see general advice is against hire, also husbands first lanaguage Chinese & last year he found he could see place names easily). Our JP pass will not have run out, but to see this area I think a car is needed. we have then looked at going to Mt Aso & Kurokawa. KimJapan has a link she has given to some onsen which her friends had stayed at & I have found more - many look wonderful http://www.kurokawaonsen.or.jp/ichir.../f_onnsen.html
Thinking of one night here & then am very interested in going to Takachiho & possibly http://www.takachiho-shinsen.co.jp/english/index.htm
as I would love to see the evening mask dances & so would need to stay overnight. What do you think to taking a room with no private onsen bath - I think these look lovely, but are very expensive, and maybe we would be happy just to book sessions in private baths (we're not brave enough for communal onsen!!!). We have also read the onsen can be extremely hot (is that so?) & I would be disappointed if we paid so much only to find we only wanted/could stand onsen for a short time if its so hot - or is that wrong?
If we do all this it means leaving out Beppu - but some posts have described it as tacky?
Our last night would be in Fukuoka - hotel suggestions please? Hyatt???

mrwunrfl

If you have a private bath in your room then you will be able to control the temperature.

I only spent an afternoon in Beppu but I do understand that it is tacky. That is ok, if you are looking to find an onsen bath. If you shop around a bit you ought to be able to find a place that has multiple baths, with multiple temps.

Some of the baths are indeed hot. Try getting the water in your bathtub at home to 104F (which I think is 40C). See how that feels. If you find that tolerable AND enjoyable, then you will be ok in most Japanese onsen baths.

Try 102F or 101F if 104 was too hot. If that is too hot for you then you are not likely to become an onsen fan.

janev

Thanks mrwunrfl.
Any thoughts from anyone else. Has anyone been to Takachiho or Kuokawa?

cjngrl

I'm a bit late with this reply, and maybe you've already gone, but I've been to Kurokawa 2 times, and find it absolutely charming. We stayed at the Sanga Ryokan, which is a long walk from the center of town, but peaceful. My 2 favorite onsens were the Shinmeikan (cave bath) and Yamamizuki, which is 2 kilometers from town but is outside on the river. My 13 year old daughter was set against going in the onsens, but couldn't resist when she saw how nice it was. Now, she's the first one to want to go. We love the Aso area -- it's much easier if you have a vehicle and a good map. Please post how you enjoy the trip.

janev

Thanks very much cjngrl. We are actually on holiday at the moment & in Kyoto. We shall be in Kyushu at the end of next week. We have booked for Sanga Ryokan too through japan guesthouses & are picking up a car in Fukuoka so that we can see the Aso area. It sounds wonderful! Thanks for your comments.