Around Takeo City Library × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

During my Kyushu trip in mid-June, I stayed for a Multiple Night Stay (2 nights) in the “Chikurintei—Panoramic Open-Air Bath (Japanese-Western Room)” nestled within Mifuneyama Rakuen’s vast grounds. I stayed in the “Yamazakura” Room, which offered views of Mt. Mifune from the corridor and garden, and even had a private gate with direct access to Mifuneyama Rakuen. The open-air bath is a standing-style bath set among trees. It creates a unique floating sensation, and because the water pressure is applied evenly over the whole body, I felt less fatigue afterward. Being able to enjoy the garden and sky while standing also adds to the wonderful sense of openness. The Onsen water is clear and colorless—an alkaline simple spring—with an exceptionally gentle feel on the skin, so I never tired of soaking. The indoor bath is heated groundwater, but I also enjoyed it: the hinoki tub was very comfortable, and it didn’t take long to fill. What stood out most was the outstanding quality of dinner. The kaiseki course featuring seasonal local ingredients such as Takezaki crab immediately draws you in with its dashi—clear yet deeply flavorful, beautifully balanced. Each dish reflected the season in both taste and presentation: refined and truly beautiful. Beyond ingredient quality alone, there was a confident simplicity backed by real skill. Even on a Multiple Night Stay, every meal was flawless at an exceptional level. Simply superb—thank you for such a feast. Another highlight was visiting teamLab’s art installations at the affiliated Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel on the same grounds (guests of Chikurintei can enter free). From the moment you step into the lobby, you’re struck by countless lamps evoking forest flowers and sunlight filtering through trees. The most breathtaking work was “Megalis in Ruins Bathhouse,” where digital projections of seasonal flowers illuminate massive stones rising throughout an abandoned public-bath space. When we visited, different scenes cycled continuously—twelve distinct visuals representing all months—and we became fully immersed for about an hour until they completed one full round late at night before closing. Also worth mentioning: the cold-brew coffee served in the lounge area was delicious—I refilled it many times and enjoyed it back in my Room as well. To everyone at “Oyado Chikurintei,” thank you sincerely for creating such a wonderful stay. I will absolutely return when I visit Takeo Onsen again.

This was my first stay. The Hotel lobby is small, but it features Takeo pottery and Arita ware created in collaboration with overseas designers. It’s a stylish, relaxing space, and we were welcomed with chilled Ureshino tea and a small sweet. The Room felt natural and calming. This Hotel is known for its sauna, and even though I’m not great with saunas, I was able to relax fully and felt completely refreshed (laughs). We stayed as a couple this time, but it’s also a soothing Accommodation where solo female travelers can feel safe staying alone. It has become one of the Hotels I’d love to stay at again.

The room, with its white-based design and high ceiling, felt clean and relaxing with heated wooden flooring. The semi-open-air bath in the room was spacious, filled with plenty of silky smooth water. Having a water dispenser was also very convenient. Both dinner and breakfast were not only delicious but also beautifully presented, making the experience truly delightful. The staff showed great care and attention to my elderly mother, allowing us to enjoy our stay with peace of mind. Thank you very much!

Both the hospitality and the cuisine were calm and wonderful, and I was truly able to refresh. I will visit again.

The Onsen is the main highlight, and with a full range of comfortable amenities, I was able to enjoy a truly fulfilling day. After working up a sweat at the gym, I played a little table tennis and felt like a kid again. The sauna is spacious and made of wood, and there is also a mist sauna—I did five rounds in total. To finish, I relaxed in the shallow pool and took a break with a draft beer. The large public bath left me feeling refreshed.

We chose this Accommodation for our wedding anniversary, hoping for somewhere a little special this year. My husband and I are usually busy with our own schedules, and we’re often surprised by how little time we have to talk at home, but that day we ended up reminiscing about old memories the whole time (laugh). The staff were considerate and didn’t speak to us more than necessary, which made us feel they truly valued our time together. In the morning, we woke up early for a short walk and then returned to the Accommodation, and it was nice to head to breakfast without rushing. It became a wonderful anniversary memory.

I stayed in a Japanese-style room furnished with beds. While the Facility is old, it was kept very clean and I had a comfortable stay. The bathroom area combines the bath, toilet, and sink, but since the Onsen facilities are well equipped, it didn’t bother me as I used those instead. They play an antique music box in the entrance. You can also enjoy free coffee.

Conveniently located in front of Takeo-Onsen Station, a Shinkansen transfer station, and easily accessible with hardly getting wet even in the rain. It was an affordable Hotel with excellent service—nothing to complain about. The breakfast had more variety than expected, was delicious, and very satisfying.

During Golden Week in Takeo Onsen, when many visitors come to the area, I stayed one night at this impressive property at the foot of the mountains. The facilities were very clean, and the baths were excellent. The sauna seemed to be out of order, but even with just the baths I was sweating nonstop. Breakfast offered a wide variety of options, and I could enjoy it at a relaxed pace. It was also reassuring that the staff made frequent rounds. I would like to stay again.

Thank you for warmly welcoming us despite our late arrival after 8 PM (we had a breakfast-only plan). The room and onsen were very comfortable, and we felt completely refreshed. The breakfast was plentiful, and the staff provided excellent service. The water pressure in the bathroom faucet was weak, and it was difficult to adjust the temperature, so it would be great if this could be improved. While some of the facilities feel slightly dated, everything else was fine, and we had a very pleasant stay. We would love to stay again if we have another opportunity.

For my first trip to Saga, I stayed at this accommodation that I had been curious about for a long time. This time, I chose a room with an open-air bath that I couldn't stop thinking about. The bath was spacious, and the changing scenery and temperature throughout the day made it absolutely perfect! Since I'm not interested in saunas at all, I spent most of my time soaking in the room's bath. The staff were kind, and although I didn't have high expectations for TeamLab, it was impressive how they repurposed unused areas of the accommodation for collaboration. Of course, TeamLab itself was wonderful too. The food was delicious; however, if there's one thing to mention—it might be that the dining area felt either too bright or perhaps the tables were placed too close together... It gave off a slightly restless vibe or lacked a sense of calmness compared to other spaces in the accommodation. It almost felt like stepping into a completely different place with more of a cafeteria-like atmosphere—not disappointing but noticeably different from elsewhere in this lovely accommodation. Still, it's definitely an accommodation I'd love to visit again! Thank you so much to all the staff!

On the third day of my solo trip from Tokyo to Saga, I stayed at Shunkeiya in Takeo Onsen. It is located right next to the Romon Gate, and the building is very clean and beautiful. They prepared a 14-tatami corner Room for me even though I was traveling alone, and dinner served in the Room was wonderfully varied and absolutely delicious. The attendant assigned to my Room was also excellent, and the free-flowing natural hot spring water was superb. Even though I was on my own, they provided Shuttle Service to the station—an Accommodation where everything was thoughtfully taken care of. I love traveling and have stayed in many places, but considering how reasonably priced it is, I was satisfied with everything here. If it were in the Kanto area, I could visit often—it's a shame it’s not. Next time, I would definitely like to come again with my wife. This first solo trip became a truly wonderful memory for me.

Everything was very clean, and the staff were extremely courteous. I had a very comfortable stay. Thank you!