What kind of onsen ryokan is Akizuki Kuoritei?
In early October, after a hot summer and with crisp blue skies, we took our two small children to Akizuki Onsen hot spring resort on the outskirts of Fukuoka. Although it was still early in the season for autumn leaves around Fukuoka, the weather was perfect for sightseeing.
To get straight to the point, this ryokan was conveniently located from the center of Fukuoka City and enjoyed beautiful rural countryside scenery and hot springs. Although not a luxury ryokan, each room had its own private onsen with excellent spring water quality.
From Hakata Station, we took the Kagoshima Main Line rapid train, got off at Kiyama Station, transfered to the Amagi Railway, and got off at Amagi Station. The trip from Hakata Station took about one hour. Then, from Amagi Station, we made a pick-up service reservation in advance. After exiting Amagi Station, we turned left and waited for about 5 minutes for a shuttle bus at Amatetsu Amagi Eki bus stop. We boarded the shuttle bus, which had a white body with green and yellow stripes, and arrived at the ryokan in about 15 minutes. The ryokan was built like a small village, with traditional rural one-story Japanese-style villas scattered throughout the grounds. All the rooms were in their own small villa-style.
After getting off the shuttle bus, we passed through a gate with a kayabuki roof and walked up a slope to see an entrance with a white noren. Next to the white noren was an elegant stone stone wash basin and lantern. After passing through the noren and entering through the sliding door, we found a reception counter with the interior of a tasteful traditional Japanese house. Next to the reception desk was a room with a sunken hearth and a restaurant. We checked in here and the staff showed us to our room, which was located in a separate building. It was about a three-minute walk from the reception building.
We stayed at a villa called Suzushiro. We entered through a small lattice door, took off our shoes, and opened the shoji door to find a Japanese-style living room with a sofa and table, and a Japanese-style bedding called futon already laid out in the Japanese-style room next to it. The bathroom next to the living room had a private onsen with a rock bathtub. Although there was no view of the outside from the private onsen, it had a tasteful interior. The rooms were a bit cramped for a family with children. All the rooms are villas, each with its own private hot spring bath. We rarely saw other guests during our stay.
For a while, we decided to relax on the sofa while enjoying brown sugar-scented karinto buns and green tea prepared on the table. Then when we realized that it was already past 4:00 p.m. We decided to go to communal onsens before dinner. The large communal onsens were located a short 5-minute walk from the villa. After changing into yukatas and putting on the straw sandals provided at the entrance of the villa, we headed to a facility called Akizuki no Yu. If you ask the staff, they will provide a car to take you there, but we wanted to take a walk around the area, so we walked.
Upon entering the grounds through a red curtain called noren, one was greeted by a well-kept garden and a traditional country wooden structure. Entering through a sliding door with a grass-colored curtain called noren at the entrance of the building, we found a souvenir shop selling local pickles, sake, miso, ice cream, buns, jams, dried fruits, local vegetables, crafts, etc. Next to the shop was a local restaurant and the communal bathhouse. This area was under the same management as the ryokan, but was open to guests who were not staying at the ryokan. Guests staying at the ryokan could use the communal baths for free, while other guests would be charged JPY800 for adults and JPY300 for children. The communal bathhouse has indoor baths and ourdoor bath, and the outdoor baths offered a wonderful view of the countryside.
After enjoying the communal baths, we had a Japanese beef teppan course at the restaurant next to the communal onsens while sipping sake made at a local brewery. In addition, there was also a teppan-yaki course of local chicken. We had a children’s set for the kids. Overall, this is not a high-end cuisine using premium ingredients such as fine Wagyu beef. However, we were satisfied with our meal because it was reasonable, and the portions were large. The freshly fried tempura at the end was crispy and delicious. Also, although not a private dining room, there were partitions made of bamboo between the tables.
And when we looked out the restaurant window, we saw that it was just dusk, so the sky was tinged with red, and the tranquil rural landscape of Fukuoka and the majestic mountains created a wonderful scene. The view of the countryside and mountains from the communal outdoor bath during the day was impressive, but the view at sunset was also exceptional.
After dinner, we went to the souvenir shop next to the restaurant to buy some of the local sake and some freshly fried beef croquettes and fried local chicken for our midnight snack, then returned to the villa. On the way back to the villa, we looked up at the night sky as we walked, and saw a star-filled sky. As we expected, the night sky was completely different from that of Tokyo. As we listened, we could hear the chirping of bellbirds, korogi, and frogs. Since this area is a stretch of rice fields, an orchestra of insects starts at night.
We returned to our room and enjoyed the private onsen in the room’s bathroom with the children. The quality of the Akizuki hot spring water was high grade and felt like lotion on the skin. After getting out of the hot spring, the children were hungry, and they were eating the fried chicken and beef croquettes that we had bought as souvenirs.
The next day, we woke up just before 7:00 a.m. and we walked again from the villa to the main bathhouse. When we walked out of the villa, the weather was crisp and clear, with a blue autumn sky. The air was so clean around here that just took a deep breath felt refreshing. It was completely different from the air in Tokyo. The view from the open-air hot spring baths in the main bathhouse of the hotel, of the countryside bathed in the morning sun and the gentle curves of the mountains, was truly beautiful.
After relaxing in the communal baths, we headed to the same restaurant where we had dinner, next to the communal baths, for breakfast at 8:00. We enjoyed a Japanese-style breakfast with locally sourced ingredients while admiring the peaceful scenery. We then returned to our room and checked out before 10:00 a.m., and took the shuttle bus back to Amagi Station bus stop of Amatetsu Amagi Station.
The only drawback was that the room was a bit cramped for a family. We would like to book a larger room next time.
Check Availability and Pricing for Akizuki Kuoritei on Agoda
TOP5 Best Ryokans with Private Onsen in Fukuoka, Kyushu
TOP5 Best Hotels and Ryokans for Families in Fukuoka, Kyushu
How to go to Akizuki Kuoritei
From Hakata Station, take the Kagoshima Main Line Rapid train and get off at Kiyama Station. Transfer to the Amagi Railway and get off at Amagi Station. The trip from Hakata Station takes about one hour. From Amatetsu Amagi Eki bus stop, take the shuttle bus, which takes about 15 minutes to reach the ryokan. The shuttle bus must be reserved in advance and is first-come, first-served, and costs 300 yen per person. Shuttle service is available between 10:00AM and 5:00PM. Alternatively, a cab ride takes 15 minutes and costs approximately JPY2,000.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including minimum toiletries, yukatas, a Japanese tea set, and a free min-bar, etc. The free WiFi reception was good. There is a vending machine for drinks.
Then there is no convenience store nearby. You might want to buy your necessities before coming here. *Food and drinks from outside are prohibited except baby food.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths. All of them are open between 10:00 and 21:00. *If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
This is not a universal design but a wheelchair is available for borrowing. There are some steps, but once you enter your room, you wouldn’t need to move around. If you bring someone with weak legs, you might want to inform the staff in advance as they arrange a room near the reception building.
How about meals?
The local restaurant at the facility called Akizuki no Yu that we used during our stay was not a fine dining restaurant, but it offered country cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients, and the portions were generous. The price range was reasonable. If you prefer fine kaiseki cuisine, you may want to make a reservation at the restaurant located in the reception building. Also, as far as I know, there are no restaurants in the area, so it would be best to book a room with meals included.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the ryokan from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for Akizuki Kuoritei on Agoda
Info about Akizuki Kuoritei
| Style | Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times | 15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 30,000JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | TEL +81 0946-28-7575 |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available in some areas Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Akizuki Kuoritei‘s MAP |
| Access | Refer to the above |
| Address and TEL | 1 Chome-8-1 Minaginomori, Asakura, Fukuoka 838-0020 Tel +81 0946 28 7575 |
| Official Homepage | Akizuki Kuoritei‘s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay in Fukuoka?
Browse through my TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay in Fukuoka.
Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.