Jinshi Station × Accommodation With Relaxing Welcome LoungeHighly 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 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.

We stayed for two nights. The Onsen, meals, transportation access, and the surrounding environment were all excellent. If I had to mention one downside, our room was on a smoking floor, and I would have appreciated an air purifier even in the hallway. The cigarette smell was so strong that it clung to our towels and even new clothes. It really made me feel that next time I should choose a non-smoking room. That said, the meals and Onsen were outstanding, and the value for money was very good.

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.

I’ve stayed here several times. Some parts of the room and facilities feel a bit dated, but I had no issues at all. It’s in a convenient location for sightseeing, and my favorite ramen shop, Chikurin Honten, is about a 10-minute drive away. There’s also an eel restaurant within walking distance. The Hotel has parking both in front and at the back, so you should be able to park without trouble. I feel it offers good value for the price. Many of the Hotel staff are wonderful, so I recommend it. I also heard that a new Hotel will open near the station around the end of 2026—I’m hoping to stay there too (laugh).

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.