Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryuan

What kind of luxury onsen ryokan is Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryuan?

On a warm sunny April weekend after a cold winter, my husband and I visited Fukuoka. This time we decided to stay at this onsen ryokan where we finally got a booking. It is a popular onsen ryokan with a wonderful Japanese garden and only six rooms. We were excited to finally get a room booking.

To get straight to the point, the ryokan was well worth the two-hour bus ride from Hakata. Although the ryokan is located in the countryside of Fukuoka, it was like a 5-star hotel, with a wonderful Japanese garden, rooms with private onsens, food, and service. Also, the area surrounding the ryokan was a beautiful peaceful rural setting with a castle town surrounded by clear streams and mountains.

From Hakata Bus Terminal, took the Nishitetsu Bus bound for Amagi Office departing at 13:40 and got off at Amagi Bus Stop. The trip took about 80 minutes and cost JPY840 per adult. From there, we moved to Amagi Chuo bus stop in front of the post office, which is about a 3-minute walk away. From this bus stop, we transferred to Amagi Kanko Bus departing at 15:37 and got off at Akizuki bus stop, which is right in front of the local noodle restaurant, although it is not shown on the google map. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes and costs JPY330 per adult. After getting off at Akizuki bus stop and walking for about 10 minutes along a narrow alleyway while admiring the countryside, we saw a parking lot of the ryokan. This area used to be a castle town, so traditional wooden buildings with warehouses and tiled roofs still remained here and there, and we liked the peaceful atmosphere.

Then, down a small path by the parking lot, we saw beautiful fresh green maple trees and a magnificent gate with roof tiles. It looked like a samurai residence. A huge stone placed at the entrance read Seiryuan. We passed through the gate and headed for the main building, a sukiya-style house. Once inside, we were greeted by the staff. We sat on the sofa in front of the reception desk and checked in here while enjoying Strawberry Tea.

After a short while, a staff member escorted us to our room. We left the main building and walked through a well-kept and tastefully landscaped Japanese garden to the accommodation building. Since we visited in mid-April, it was a little late in the season when the cherry blossoms were at their most beautiful and in full bloom. Most of the cherry blossoms had fallen and the ground was covered with countless cherry petals. It was as if a light pink carpet had been laid out. When a gentle breeze blew, the petals of the cherry blossoms that were almost finished blooming floated in the air, creating a magical atmosphere.When a gentle breeze blows, the petals of cherry blossoms at the end of blooming float in the air, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

We passed through a cave-like moss-covered stone gate and entered through a lattice door at the entrance to the accommodation building, where we took off our shoes and took the stairs to the second floor. We walked along a corridor with glass windows on both sides, looking out over the magnificent Japanese garden. We were shown to our room, Sakura, at the far end of the building. This ryokan has a total of six rooms, all with private hot spring baths. We opened a glass lattice door and entered the room, where we found two spacious Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and a table with a kotatsu. There was also a veranda called engawa with chairs and a table by the window. The view from the window was of maple trees and the parking lot of the ryokan. In the alcove of the Japanese-style room, a cherry tree was arranged. To the left of the Japanese-style room was a bathroom with a private outdoor hot spring bath and a small room with a domed hot stoned bath. The private outdoor hot spring bath with a large stone bath was surrounded by a bamboo fence, but it felt spacious and open.

The staff prepared gâteau chocolates made of tofu and matcha powdered tea on the kotatsu, so we decided to sit under the kotatsu for a while to warm up and relax. When we realized that it was already 17:30. Dinner was served at 17:30, so we went to a dining area, and the staff showed us to a private dining room. When we entered the private dining room, we were first surprised to see a very spacious Japanese-style room. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows looked out onto a stunning Japanese garden and a pond with bright Nishiki-koi carp swimming in it. We were very impressed by the artistic spring scenery, with many light pink cherry petals floating on the surface of the pond. It was like a huge painting. Looking up, we saw a beautiful cherry blossom chandelier on the ceiling, a hanging scroll with cherry blossoms on it in the alcove on the left side of the room, and seasonal flowers in front of the hanging scroll.

This ryokan is also a famous auberge ryokan in Fukuoka Prefecture, so we were very much looking forward to the meal. The dinner was a memorable and impressive fusion of Kaiseki, French, and Italian cuisine. The wagyu beef shabu-shabu at the end was especially delicious.

When we returned to our room around 19:00, Japanese-style mattress called futons were laid out next to the room with the kotatsu. We decided to enjoy the private outdoor hot spring bath in our room after dinner. The temperature of the hot spring was 42 degrees Celsius, so we adjusted the temperature with cold tap water. Also, the room we stayed in, Sakura, is the only room with the private outdoor hot spring bath, but it does not have an indoor hot spring bath. The other rooms have private indoor hot spring baths, but no private outdoor hot spring baths. When staying here during the cold winter season, the other rooms would be preferable. On the other hand, if you are staying here in the hot summer or warm season, this room with the private outdoor hot spring bath would be a good choice.

After enjoying the private hot spring bath, we took out beer from a mini-bar and quenched our thirst for a while as we sat on the engawa. In the silence, the sound of the stream flowing nearby was pleasant to our ears. By the way, beer, apple juice, orange juice, green tea, and water available in the minibar were free of charge. 

The next morning, we woke up a little after 7:00 and decided to take a walk around the ruins of Akizuki Castle nearby. There is a 500-meter-long row of cherry trees in this area, and although most of the cherry blossoms had already fallen, the path was carpeted with cherry petals that had fallen, making it look like a cherry-patterned carpet. Strolling through the scenery of traditional castle walls and tiled-roofed buildings, we felt as if we were stepping back in time. Although not as sophisticated as the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, this rural castle town also made us feel nostalgic.

We returned to the ryokan around 8:00. and decided to have breakfast. We had a Japanese breakfast in the same room where we had dinner. The view of the Japanese garden and pond we saw at dinner was wonderful, but the view of the water sparkling in the sunlight under a crisp blue sky and the beautiful fresh greenery was also too wonderful for words. It was as if we were sitting in the large tatami room like a palace and looking at a folding screen painting reminiscent of a Heian-era picture scroll. We thought it was a special experience to be able to spend time in such a spectacular space.

After breakfast, we fed the graceful swimming carp, took a leisurely stroll through the Japanese garden, checked out around 10:30, and headed for Akizuki bus stop. The bus was scheduled to arrive at 11:17, so we went into a nearby coffee shop Yamaguchi and spent some time there. It was a casual coffee shop, but it was a wonderful place to visit.

If I were to raise a disadvantage, it would be the inconvenient location, which takes more than two hours from the center of Fukuoka City by bus. Also, there is only one bus every hour. It is best to allow plenty of time for your trip. Nevertheless, we would like to visit again in the fall when the leaves change color, as we can experience the beautiful countryside where the castle town still remains and the high-class ryokan.

Check Availability and Pricing for Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryuan on Agoda

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How to go to Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryua

It can be reached by bus or train, but the bus would be easier. From Hakata Bus Terminal, take the Nishitetsu Bus bound for Amagi and get off at Amagi Bus Stop. The trip takes about 80 minutes and costs JPY840 per adult. From there, move to Amagi Chuo bus stop in front of the post office, about a 3-minute walk. Amagi Chuo bus stop is not on Google Maps, but it is located in front of the post office, so it will be easy to find. From this bus stop, transfer to Amagi Kanko Bus and get off at Akizuki bus stop, right in front of the local noodle restaurant. Akizuki bus stop is also not on Google Maps. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes and costs JPY330 for adults. Then it is about a 10-minute walk from Akizuki bus stop to the ryokan.

First-time visitors to Fukuoka may want to show the following Japanese texts to bus drivers when boarding the ride. Also, it is advisable to get there early, as there is only one bus every hour. It would be recommended that you travel during the daytime, as there are few streetlights in the countryside and it is pitch-dark at night.

甘木バス停に着いたら、教えてください。
Please let me know when you reach “Amagi Bus Stop”

秋月バス停に着いたら、教えてください。
Please let me know when you reach “Akizuki Bus Stop”

Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries?

If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion in Fukuoka, the property would be one of the best. The staff arranges cakes to celebrate an anniversary at an additional charge if you request in advance.

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.

When we stayed here, there was a menu of midnight snacks that we could order until 21:00. For example, rice balls, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, cheese, salami, etc.

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.

Then this is child-friendly. Children up to 2 years old can sleep together for free. They offer meals for children. You need to inform the age of your child when you book a room.

How about In-house Facilities?

There are wonderful indoor and outdoor communal hot spring baths. All of them are open between 15:00 and 23:00. During our stay they were not available due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing area.

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. I saw a person in a wheelchair staying at the ryokan.

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Then there is a nice spa treatment shop. You need to make an appointment in advance if you receive a spa treatment service.

How about meals?

The food for dinner and breakfast was just wonderful. You can dine with the view of the beautiful Japanese garden. All meals are served in a spacious private room.

You can choose dinner start time from 17:30, 18:00, or 18:30. Breakfast starts at 8:00, 8:30, or 9:00.

Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies or dietary needs. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day. 

Then there is no restaurant near the ryokan. Most local restaurants are open only for lunch. You may want to book a room including meals.  

Have a nice trip!  Welcome to receive any questions about the property from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryuan on Agoda

Info about Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiryuan

Style	Traditional Onsen Ryokan
Check-in and out times	15:00/10:30
Estimated Price	60,000JPY for 2 adults per room
Contact	info@seiryuan.com
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 Spa Ryokan Seiryuan’s MAP
Access	Refer to the above
Address and TEL	〒838-0001 Fukuoka Prefecture, Asakura, Akizuki1058 Tel +81 946-25-0023
Official Homepage	Akizuki Spa Ryokan Seiyuan’s HP

*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.

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