What kind of onsen ryokan is Roppokan Ryokan?
In mid-May, when the refreshing early summer breeze was pleasant, we decided to stay at this ryokan as we visited Harazuru Onsen Resort, located about an hour from Fukuoka City, with our two small children. The onsen resort used to be a prosperous, but today, it was a bit lonely with abandoned ryokans, restaurants, and stores here and there. It is not a hot spring resort where one can enjoy wandering around in yukatas and getas, but this ryokan and its surrounding hotels were lively.
To get straight to the point, although it is not a luxury ryokan, the rooms with private hot spring baths of excellent spring quality were very comfortable and cozy. Also, the ryokan is easily accessible from Fukuoka City, making it an ideal ryokan for those who do not have time to visit Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu Onsen or Yufuin Onsen, but would like to enjoy a hot spring bath while visiting Fukuoka.
Around 3:00 p.m. from Hakata Station, we took the JR Kyushu Shinkansen, got off at Kurume Station, transferred to the JR Kyudai Honsen line, and got off at Chikugo Yoshii Station. From there, we took the free shuttle bus we had reserved in advance, which took us to the ryokan in about 10 minutes. The exterior of the ryokan was a bit dated, but once inside the building, it was renovated, clean, and cozy. When the shuttle bus arrived at the ryokan, the staff greeted us with smiles. We then sat on a sofa in the lounge near the reception desk and checked in while enjoying matcha green tea and sweet potato jelly for my husband and I and apple juice for the children. From the lounge, we could see the river slowly flowing under a crisp blue sky and the peaceful countryside and gently curving mountains.
After a while, a staff member showed us to our room. This time, we booked a room on the third floor, called Akizuki, with a private onsen. Upon entering the room, we found a room with twin beds and a Japanese-style living room next to it. The Japanese-style room was covered with tatami mats and had a table and sofas. The large windows offered a view of the Chikugo River and the Mino Mountain Range. It was just the right size for a family of four. Then, next to the Japanese-style living room, there was a bathroom with a private hot spring. Upon entering the bathroom, the aroma of hinoki cypress and hot spring water wafted through the air. The sound of the hot spring water pouring into the hinoki bath was pleasant to our ears.
We quickly changed into yukatas and decided to go to communal outdoor hot spring baths on the fourth floor. The outdoor baths included a cypress bath and a rock bath, and in front of us was a magnificent view of the countryside. It was already dusk at that time, so the sky was gradually tinted with sunset, and I was impressed by the magical ever-changing clouds. Then, birds such as swallows, larks, and ceccas were busily flying about. Perhaps it was time for them to go home. The spring water was thick with a faint scent of sulfur. It was like lotion.
After relaxing in the communal baths, we bought some local sake and beer at the store in front of the reception desk on the first floor and returned to our room. We immediately sat down on the sofas in the living room and quenched our dry throats with beer. Beer after a hot spring bath was always great. The kids were tired and went to bed.
Then, since dinner was at 6:30 pm, we headed to a dining area next to the lounge on the first floor. When we arrived at the dining area, the staff showed us to a private dining room. The meal was a Japanese beef kaiseki course. Although it was not a menu that used a lot of high-end ingredients, the appetizers, fresh sashimi, eel, and wagyu beef were delicious and very satisfying. We also pre-ordered children’s meals for the kids. They enjoyed hamburgers, croquettes, and fruit.
After dinner, we went back to the communal outdoor baths on the fourth floor. The view from here was spectacular, with an endless star-filled sky above the majestic mountains that floated like shadow puppets in the dark night. The starry night sky we saw while soaking in the outdoor hot spring was like a jewelry box turned upside down, sparkling and shining. The night view of Tokyo is nice, but the night view created by nature was also beautiful.
After enjoying the communal baths, we returned to our rooms. The children were tired and went to bed. We decided to sit on the sofas and enjoy the local sake we had just purchased at the store on the first floor. Near the Harazuru Onsen Resort where we stayed, there is a beautiful traditional white-walled sake brewery where a variety of events are held to enjoy local sake.
The next day, we awoke to the sound of swallows before 6:00 am. Before breakfast, I decided to enjoy the private onsen next to the Japanese-style room with my children. The source temperature is about 50 degrees Celsius, so we used tap water to adjust the temperature. It was an indoor bath, but it was so luxurious to open the window and feel the early summer breeze coming in from outside while soaking in the high quality hot spring water early in the morning.
Then, around 8:00 a.m., we went to the dining area on the first floor for breakfast. The staff showed us to the same private dining room where we had had dinner. Breakfast is usually a Japanese-Western buffet, but since it was during the coronavirus pandemic when we stayed, it was not a buffet. On this day, standard Japanese dishes such as yu-tofu, onsen eggs, natto, simmered dishes, grilled salmon, Hakata cod roe called mentaiko, rolled egg, fresh salad, red beans rice called sekihan, and miso soup with clams were served individually.
After breakfast, we decided to enjoy the footbath on the terrace of the lounge. As we sat on the terrace in a daze for a while, feeling the riverside breeze, we could hear the chirping of swallows, larks, and warblers. Then, as we gazed at the magnificent countryside from the terrace, we almost lost track of time. We then returned to our room and checked out before 10:00 a.m., and were taken by shuttle bus to Chikugo Yoshii Station.
If I were to raise a fault, it would be that it is not a luxury ryokan, so there is no traditional, historical, or prestigious Japanese architecture or Japanese garden. Nevertheless, considering the price range, our room, meals, hot springs, and service were of a satisfactory level. If anything, I think this ryokan would be more suitable for families and groups. We would like to visit again in a different season.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
From Hakata Station, take the JR Kyushu Shinkansen, get off at Kurume Station, transfer to JR Kyudai Honsen line, and get off at Chikugo Yoshii Station. From there, take a shuttle bus to the ryokan, which takes about 10 minutes. Reservations for the free shuttle service are required in advance.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room with a private onsen. All rooms offer a peaceful view of the Chikugo River and the countryside.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, samue outfits, pajamas, Japanese sweets, and green tea bags, etc. Room service is not available. There is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here. The Free Wi-Fi reception was good.
Then this is child-friendly. The staff provides meals, baby baths, toys, snacks, and baby-bouncers if you request in advance. The baby baths are available at the communal baths.
Basically free for children up to 2 years old.
How about In-house Facilities?
This is a perfect universal design. There are 8 universal rooms with private onsens. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they arrange a room near the lift.
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Then there are wonderful outdoor and indoor communal onsens on 1F and 4F. All of them are open from 5:00 to 25:00.
If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing area. You may want to book a room with a private onsen.
There is a foot bath, terrace, lounge, and gift shop on 1F.
How about meals?
Dinner starts from 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, or 7:00 pm. Dinner is served in a private dining room or dining area. If you stay in a room with a private onsen, you can request to have meals in your room.
Then breakfast time is between 7:30 am and 9:00 am. Basically, breakfast is served in the dining area or the private dining room.
Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there is no nice restaurant near the property. You may want to book a room with meals.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about Roppokan Ryokan from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for Roppokan Ryokan on Agoda
Info about Roppokan Ryokan
| Style | Modern Onsen Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/10:00 |
| Estimated Price | 60,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail Address |
info@roppo.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the property |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Roppokan’s MAP |
| Access | Refer to the above |
| Address and TEL | 1840 Hakikugumiya, Asakura, Fukuoka 838-1514 Tel +81 946-62-1047 |
| Official Homepage | Roppokan’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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