Nestled in a quaint riverside, Yunotsuru Onsen is a relatively unvisted gem in southwestern Kumamoto. A number of onsen ryokans line the banks of a rushing river, with cedar groves and bamboo surrounding the nearby hills. There's not much to do in this spot, but that's why people come here: to relax. The waters are hot, soothing, and pretty, with several unique baths in each of the ryokans...and most available to day-use visitors. The real treat though is to come and overnight or spend the weekend, enjoying the warm baths and the sense that you really have gotten away from it all.
Getting here is best with a private vehicle, though the Shin-Minamata train stop is only 4 miles as the crow flies away. By car it's about 15 minutes, as the route is windy and you'll likely be behind a slower vehicle.
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