The Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass (入湯手形, nyuto tegata) is a wooden pass that lets you choose 3 open-air baths from 25 inns in Kurokawa Onsen, a hot spring village in Minamioguni Town, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture. An adult pass costs ¥1,500, a child pass ¥700, and both are valid for 6 months from the day you buy them. Without the pass, one bath at one inn costs ¥500 to ¥800 for an adult.
In short
- Pass: ¥1,500 for adults, ¥700 for children aged 3 to the end of elementary school. Bathing hours 8:30–21:00.
- Buy it at any participating inn or at Kazenoya, the Ryokan Association’s visitor center (9:00–17:00). Inns can sell out; Kazenoya is the sure place.
- One pass per person. You cannot share it.
- Each inn’s day-visit hours change daily. The association updates them each morning; check around 9:00 on the day.
- No towel rental, no ATM in the village, and many shops take cash only.
Checked with official pages on October 26, 2026.
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1. How the Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass works
Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association
One adult pass (¥1,500) covers 3 of the 25 open-air baths, and it is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. Bathing hours with the pass are 8:30 to 21:00, according to the Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association.
- Buy a pass at an inn or at Kazenoya. Kazenoya is the association’s visitor center in the Fureai Hiroba car park, open 9:00 to 17:00.
- Pick an inn and go to its front desk. Staff stamp the pass with the inn’s own stamp.
- Use one sticker for the bath. The back of the pass has 3 stickers, one for each visit.
You can use all 3 stickers for baths. Or use the 2 red stickers for baths and the 1 green sticker for food or a souvenir in the village, such as a honey soft-serve, a doughnut or a bottle of local cider. The official site lists the shops and items. Stickers you do not use on one trip stay valid for a return visit within the 6 months. When you finish, keep the pass or offer it at the Jizodo, a small shrine in the village.
The child pass (¥700) is for ages 3 to the end of elementary school (grade 6). A child can visit 3 baths, or 2 baths and swap the last sticker for a drink at the association. A child who visits 3 baths and brings the stamped pass to the association gets a small toy or sweet as a reward.
2026 is the pass’s 40th year. From July 2026 to the end of March 2027, the association is running a 40th anniversary project. Since July 1, a special design pass (50,000 made, while they last) is sold at the association and the inns. You complete it with stamps placed around the village, and some rare stamps are hidden in the streets.
| Name | Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass |
|---|---|
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
2. The 25 inns: what one bath costs without the pass
Depends on the inn
Day-visit hours are different at every inn and change from day to day. The association’s Bathing Status page has an English version and shows each inn’s hours for today and tomorrow. Inns may stop day visitors without notice when they are crowded, cleaning, or when rain or snow cools the outdoor bath.
On the status page for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Senomoto Kogen Hotel, Wakaba, Ikoi, Konoyu and Yamanoyu opened from 8:30, and Senomoto Kogen Hotel, Yusai, Wakaba, Ikoi and Konoyu ran until 21:00. Noshiyu took day visitors from 15:00 to 18:00 only.
The table shows the single-bath price at each inn if you pay at the door instead of using the pass. Child prices are for ages 3 to 12 unless the note says otherwise.
| Inn | Adult | Child | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senomoto Kogen Hotel | ¥700 | ¥300 | No bathing 10:00–11:30 (cleaning) |
| Hozantei | ¥800 | ¥300 | No day visits shown on Oct 26–27 |
| Waraku | ¥600 | ¥300 | Break 14:00–15:00 |
| Yamamizuki | ¥600 | ¥300 | Private baths too (section 3) |
| Kiyashiki | ¥700 | ¥300 | — |
| Okunoyu | ¥700 | ¥300 | No parking |
| Yusai | ¥600 | ¥300 (ages 6–12) | May turn visitors away when busy |
| Yumerindo | ¥660 | ¥330 | Limited numbers |
| Wakaba | ¥700 | ¥300 | Private baths too |
| Ikoi | ¥800 | ¥600 | No parking; no shower in the women’s bath |
| Okyakuya | ¥700 | ¥300 | Limited numbers |
| Noshiyu | ¥600 | ¥200 (under 6), ¥300 (elementary) | — |
| Ichinoi | ¥600 | ¥300 | — |
| Misato | ¥700 | ¥300 | Private bath too (booking needed) |
| Nanjoen | ¥600 | ¥300 | Private baths too |
| Yamanoyu | ¥600 | ¥300 | — |
| Shinmeikan | ¥500 | ¥300 | — |
| Fumoto (and annex Rokuan) | ¥600 | ¥300 | No showers |
| Yumotoso | ¥700 | ¥300 | Private baths too |
| Yamabiko | ¥700 | ¥300 | — |
| Kurokawaso | ¥700 | ¥300 | Private baths too |
| Konoyu | ¥700 | ¥300 | — |
| Sanga | ¥600 | ¥400 | Parking for bath visitors |
| Gekkoju | ¥600 | ¥300 (ages 6–12) | Under construction on Oct 26 |
| Nonohana | ¥800 | ¥300 | Not on the status page |
Adult prices are from the Bathing Status page and child prices from the association’s price list (PDF). For Kiyashiki, Yumotoso and Yamabiko, the price list says ¥600 for adults while the status page says ¥700; ask the inn if the difference matters to you. Miyama Sanso does not take the pass; it charges ¥800 for adults and ¥300 for children, cash only.
3. Private baths for families and couples (7 inns)
Depends on the inn
Seven inns rent private baths to day visitors, and none of them is outdoors. The outdoor baths in Kurokawa are separated by gender, because of a change in a Kumamoto Prefecture ordinance, so the association suggests a private bath (貸切風呂, kashikiri-buro) for families and couples. Most do not take bookings, but Misato needs one, and Yamamizuki needs one from 17:00 to 20:00. After 15:00, overnight guests get priority. The association asks you to call the inn before you go.
| Inn | Price | Time, people | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamamizuki | ¥2,000 or ¥2,500 | 50 min, up to 3 | 10:00–20:00 |
| Wakaba | ¥2,500, plus ¥550 per extra adult, ¥300 per child | 40 min, up to 3 | 12:00–21:00 |
| Ikoi | ¥1,500 adult, ¥900 age 3 to elementary | 40 min, 3 | 10:00–14:30 |
| Misato | ¥3,000 | 50 min, up to 6 | 9:00–20:00 |
| Nanjoen | ¥2,000 | 60 min, 2 adults and 2 children | 10:00–14:00 |
| Yumotoso | ¥3,000 for 2, plus ¥500 per extra person | 45 min, 2–3 | 10:00–18:30 |
| Kurokawaso | ¥2,500 | 45 min, up to 4 | 10:30–15:00 |
Misato asks you to keep strictly to your time and to bring your own towel. Only Yamamizuki has its own parking; for the others, use the public car parks. The association’s private bath list does not say whether the pass can be used for these baths. Phone numbers: Yamamizuki 0967-44-0336, Wakaba 0967-44-0500, Ikoi 0967-44-0552, Misato 0967-44-0331, Nanjoen 0967-44-0553, Yumotoso 0967-44-0216, Kurokawaso 0967-44-0211.
4. Before you go: time, towels, cash and tattoos
Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association
Three baths take about 2 to 3 hours, according to the association, or half a day with a walk around the village. The main street runs from Igosaka slope to Shimokawabata Street, with inns, places to eat and souvenir shops.
- Bring a towel. There is no towel rental; you can buy one at Kazenoya, shops or inns for about ¥300 to ¥500.
- Bring enough cash. There is no ATM in Kurokawa Onsen; the nearest is a FamilyMart about 15 minutes away by car. Many shops take cash only.
- Do not take photos in the baths or changing rooms. Photos of the village streets are fine.
- Some inns do not allow shampoo or soap, to protect the environment, even if you bring your own.
Tattoo rules differ by inn. The association asks you to contact it through its inquiry form and describe your tattoo, such as its size, or to use a private bath. Many shops close on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The water is about 40 to 43°C, which the association says is hot for small children, so keep their baths short.
5. Parking: about 280 spaces, most of them free
Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association
The village has about 280 public parking spaces, and all lots except Lot 4 are free. The largest is Kurokawa Parking (黒川駐車場, about 150 spaces) on National Route 442, east of the gas station. The others are Fureai Hiroba (about 40), Lot 1 (about 20), Lot 2 (about 5) and Lot 3 (about 15). Lot 4 (about 50) is free for 20 minutes, then ¥200 an hour, up to ¥1,000 for 24 hours. All lots are open 24 hours, and a live camera on the official site shows how full they are. Most inn car parks are for overnight guests only.
Kazenoya (Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association): 6594-3 Manganji, Minamioguni-machi, Aso-gun, Kumamoto. Google Maps. Phone 0967-44-0076.
6. Getting there from Fukuoka and Kumamoto
Depends on the bus company
The highway bus from Fukuoka to Kurokawa Onsen runs 3 round trips a day, takes about 3 hours, and needs a reserved seat. Kyushu Sanko Bus and Hita Bus run it. Reservations are by phone or online; the phone line is the Kumamoto Highway Bus Reservation Center (熊本高速バス予約センター, 0570-09-3533, 9:00–17:00). From Kumamoto Station, the association’s access page lists the Kyushu Odan Bus, about 3 hours.
By car from Fukuoka, the association’s access page points you toward National Route 212 (Hita–Aso); take the expressway to Hita IC, then follow Route 212 toward Minamioguni. The mountain roads have many curves, and the village streets are narrow. Taxis are very few; for rides inside the village, the association names Tsuno Taxi (津埜タクシー, 0967-44-0453).
Important
From December to March, snow and icy roads are common. If you drive, you need studless winter tires or chains, the association says.
7. Common questions
Can two people share one pass?
No. Each pass is for one person only.
Do children under 3 pay?
No. Children from 3 to 12 (under junior high school age) pay the child price, and children under 3 are free.
Is there mixed bathing?
No. Mixed bathing in the outdoor baths is no longer offered. Families and couples can use a private bath (section 3).
Can I use stickers I did not use on a later trip?
Yes, within 6 months of the purchase date.
Next steps
- Staying the night? Compare onsen inns in Kurokawa, Beppu and Yufuin in Onsen stays for residents of Kumamoto and Fukuoka.
- Want more private baths? See Private baths in Beppu: 14 family baths.
- Flying in? See Kumamoto Airport to Kumamoto City.
Sources (checked October 2026)
8 pages we checked
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: The Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass (English) and 入湯手形 (Japanese, child pass and shops)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: Bathing Status (English) and 日帰り入浴状況 (Japanese)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: day-visit price list (PDF, Japanese and English)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: day-visit private baths (PDF, Japanese)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: Frequently Asked Questions (English) and よくある質問 (Japanese)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: access (Japanese)
- Sanko Bus: Fukuoka–Kurokawa Onsen highway bus (Japanese)
- Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association: 40th anniversary of the pass (press release, June 28, 2026) (Japanese)
