What kind of luxury onsen ryokan is Kannawaen?
We visited Beppu Onsen Resort in early December when it was getting colder by the day. We stayed at AMANE resort SEIKAI on the first day, ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel on the second day, and this ryokan on the third day. To get straight to the point, the ryokan had a wonderful Japanese garden on the grounds, where one could enjoy a spectacular view of Beppu while soaking in onsens, and a great teppanyaki dinner with wagyu beef. It was also conveniently located for sightseeing. Although not a luxury ryokan, Kannawaen would be the best choice for ryokans in Beppu City. If anything, I thought this ryokan was more for families and groups than for couples or solo travelers.
After sightseeing in the city, we took the free shuttle bus departing at 14:00 from in front of the Family Mart convenience store at the east exit of Beppu station to the ryokan. After about 30 minutes on the shuttle bus, we saw a gate with a magnificent kayabuki roof. After passing through the gate and up a gentle slope with tiled walls on both sides, we saw the large ryokan building on a vast site. We got off the shuttle bus in front of the entrance, which had a massive stone entrance with a grass-colored curtain. The area was enveloped in the strong aroma of onsen
We entered through a lattice door into a spacious lobby with sofas and a huge gold folding screen-like painting depicting Beppu Onsen in the old days on a grand scale. From the lobby windows, we could see the stage of the Noh theater with pine trees painted on it. Also near the lobby was a bar and a store with Beppu crafts and souvenirs. We then walked through the lobby of the main building to the new building where we would be staying. It was only a few minutes’ walk to the new building, but they offered us a car to take us there. This was helpful since we had small children with us. When we arrived at the new building, the staff directed us to the lobby on the ground floor. After checking in, sitting on the red leather sofa and looking out the window at the blue sky and the city of Beppu, the staff offered Taiwanese oolong tea to my husband and I and Beppu’s famous kabosu juice to our children. After a while, the staff showed us to our room. This time we stayed on the second floor of the new building. The ryokan is divided into the main building, the new building called Sora, Hanare, and Annex.
When we opened the black door and entered the room, we found a living room with twin beds on the left, a red couch and a table made of wood next to it, and a Japanese-style room separated from it by shoji doors. The Japanese-style room had a window that opened onto a small balcony. The balcony was furnished with chairs and a table. The view from the balcony was spectacular, overlooking the city of Beppu with its rising steam and the blue sky and sea. The interior was generally very simple, with no sense of luxury, but lots of wood was used on the floor and walls, so the room smelled of wood as we entered. On the table was a set of Taiwanese oolong tea. Then, next to the Japanese-style room was a bathroom with a private indoor onsen. As I entered the bathroom, I could smell the scent of the hot spring again.
As soon as we entered the room, the children were tired and fell asleep. We decided to enjoy Taiwanese tea on the balcony for a while. From the balcony, we could see the dynamic steam rising up all around Beppu City, surrounded by the aroma of onsen. The quiet Beppu onsen town spread out before us was very impressive.
After this, we decided to enjoy the private onsen next to our Japanese-style room. The onsen at this ryokan is famous for its cobalt blue color, just like the nearby Umi-Jigoku. When we looked at the private hot spring in the bathroom, we were surprised to see its beautiful cobalt blue color. It is said that the color of the hot spring water turns blue naturally over time, depending on the weather and temperature after it is gushed out. Although we have visited hot spring resorts all over Japan and bathed in various types of hot springs, this was the first time in our lives that we had seen a blue hot spring. On this particular day, our private onsen was bathed in sunlight from the window and was a fantastic blue color. As we soaked in the onsen, we spent a quiet moment gazing at the blue sky, Beppu city, and the shimmering blue water of the hot spring.
After enjoying the private onsen, we decided to visit communal onsens in the new building. To our surprise, the hot spring water in the communal onsens was also a beautiful cobalt blue color. The communal bathhouse had indoor baths and outdoor baths with spectacular views of Beppu City and Beppu Bay. The day we stayed here we were blessed with clear skies, and the far horizon of Beppu Bay contrasted beautifully with the blue sky.
This ryokan has a total of 50 rooms, each with its own private onsen, so there are probably few guests who use the communal baths. When we visited, there was no one there. We also decided to visit the indoor pool on the fifth floor of the new building. Unusually for a ryokan, there was a large indoor swimming pool. The swimming pool uses hot spring water, so the water temperature is set a little higher, but it was closed in December when we stayed. Swimsuits can be rented for JPY500.
After enjoying the communal baths, we decided to return to our room and drink beer on the balcony. The kids were happy to drink kabosu juice prepared in the room’s mini-bar. At this time, it was just dusk, and from the balcony we could see the stunning sunset over Beppu Bay. Fantastic clouds were floating in the sunset-tinted sky, and pillars of light radiated from the breaks in the clouds, creating a spectacular view that was quite impressive.
Then we were getting hungry. It was almost time for dinner. We headed to a teppanyaki restaurant for dinner at 6:00 p.m. We could choose between teppanyaki and kaiseki for dinner. There are two teppanyaki restaurants, one in the main building and the other in the new building. As expected, the chef grilled the Japanese black wagyu beef steak right in front of us, and it was fantastic. And for dessert, we had rich homemade puddings in the lounge on the first floor. For the kids, we had pre-ordered a children’s meal. Corn soup, gratin, hamburger steak, fried potatoes, fried chicken, and pumpkin stew were served.
After dinner, we decided to take a walk through the illuminated Japanese garden on the grounds. Wearing yukatas, we walked down a long corridor, faintly lit by lanterns, with a view of a wonderful traditional Japanese garden. Although there is a quaint tea ceremony house in the Japanese garden, I was somewhat disappointed that there was no service to serve powdered green tea in the tea ceremony house.
Then from the bar on the first floor of the main building, one can view the illuminated Noh theater stage. We wanted to savor local sake while gazing at the flickering torch flames and the Noh theater, but since we had small children with us this time, we gave up the idea.
The next morning, breakfast was at 8:00 a.m. We had a choice of Japanese or Western breakfast. The breakfast was in the restaurant on the first floor of the main building. This ryokan has been expanded many times, so it is a maze of places, and as expected, we got lost on the way to the restaurant. The grounds are very large, so it was a little difficult to move around.
Breakfast was not buffet-style, but food was brought to us individually after we were seated. The menu offered potage, omelets, sausage, marinated salmon, salad, cereal, yogurt, croissants, milk, coffee, etc. For the egg dish, we chose from omelette, scrambled eggs, and fried eggs. Overall, it was neither good nor bad, nothing too special.
After breakfast, we returned to our room and enjoyed the cobalt blue private onsen again, checked out before 11:00, and were taken by shuttle bus to Beppu Station. From there, we took an airliner bus to Oita Airport and flew back to Haneda Airport around 2 pm. We left Beppu Onsen with the hope of visiting again next year.
Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
TOP3 Best Hotels and Ryokans in Beppu, Kyushu
TOP5 Best Traditional Ryokans in Kyushu
Is the location easy to access?
Free shuttle service is available from Beppu Station East exit in front of convenience store “FamilyMart“. You need to book it in advance. The trip takes about 30 minutes.
◆ Departure time : Beppu station → Kannawaen
14:00 ／ 15:00 ／ 16:00 ／ 17:00 ／ 18:00
◆ Departure time : Kannawaen → Beppu station
9:00 ／ 10:00 ／ 11:00
If you take a taxi from Beppu Station, it costs around JPY3,000.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, samue outfits, a coffee machine with capsules, tea of Taiwan, welcome sweets, and a complimentary mini-bar with water and kabosu juice, etc. There were ACCA KAPPA bath amenities in our bathroom. The free WiFi reception was excellent on the property. There are some vending machines for drinks. There is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here. Room service is not available.
Also, this is child-friendly. The staff provides amenities, yukatas, samue outfits and toys, etc. if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
The ryokan is like a maze. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to ask the staff which room is convenient before booking a room. The property is almost universal design, but very large more than you expect.
Then there are outdoor and indoor communal hot spring baths in the new building on 6F. They are open from 7:00-10:00, 15:00-23:00. If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the above amenities.
Then there is a indoor swimming pool using hot spring water in the new building on 6F. You can rent swimwear for JPY500. Also, there is a gym on 5F. You need to bring your own sportswear and running shoes. They are open between 15:00 and 21:00.
There is a spa treatment shop in the main building on 2F and in the new building on 6F. You need to make an appointment if you have a spa treatment service.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the ryokan from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the ryokan on Agoda
Info about Kannawaen
| Style | Authentic Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 60,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
info@kannawaen-beppu.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the property |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | |
| Access | 30min by car from Beppu Station |
| Address and TEL | 345 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0000 Tel +81 977662111 |
| Official Homepage | Kannawaen’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
Still not sure where to stay in Kyushu?
Browse through my TOP5 Ranking Lists of all the best places to stay in Kyushu.
Alternatively, you could leave a message at the below space for advice.