When planning a trip to Japan, if you want to experience the real Japan beyond sightseeing, a night at a traditional ryokan with a kaiseki dinner is a must. So I stayed at Shinshiyo Ryokan in the Amagase hot spring area of Hita, Kyushu.
What makes Shinshiyo Ryokan special:
- Authentic Japanese kaiseki cuisine
- A quiet, relaxing stay surrounded by nature
- Private hot spring baths
If you want to enjoy hot springs and a ryokan near Fukuoka, read on.
Why We Chose a Ryokan in Hita
Hita is close to Fukuoka and popular as a day trip for hot springs, but staying overnight at a ryokan to fully enjoy the baths and food is the real Japan experience.
Shinshiyo Ryokan preserves the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn.
- Open-air baths surrounded by quiet nature
- A highly praised kaiseki dinner
- Clean rooms and excellent service
Let’s take a closer look.
Our Stay at Shinshiyo Ryokan
1. Location and Getting There
Getting from Fukuoka to Hita:
- Hakata Station to Amagase Station: about 1 hour 30 minutes on the Yufuin no Mori
- The main sights are around Hita Station, one stop before Amagase, so it’s easy to sightsee first
- Amagase Station to the ryokan: about 3 minutes by car
By car:
- About 1 hour 15 minutes from Fukuoka
Public transport is easy, but if you have lots of luggage, call the ryokan to request a shuttle pickup.
- Amagase Station has only one exit
- Call the hotel when you arrive (Japanese and English spoken)
- Hotel shuttle: 0973-57-3178
2. Rooms
There are several room types. We stayed in a Japanese-Western room, the type assigned to groups of four.
The room has two beds and a tatami area.
When we came back from dinner, futons had been laid out for us. I slept on the tatami while my husband and Yans took the beds, and I found the tatami cozier and easier on my back.
The bath, toilet, vanity and sink are all separate.
There’s a small wooden bathtub in the bathroom.
Groups of two or three get the standard room, so here’s a look at that too.
The standard room for two or three is a Japanese-style tatami room with traditional futon bedding, which staff lay out while you’re at dinner.
Next is a room with a private open-air bath.
This room has beds, a bathroom and a tub.
Its biggest draw is the private open-air bath on the outdoor terrace.
Soaking in an open-air bath surrounded by nature with your family is an unforgettable experience.
3. Kaiseki Dinner
Our biggest reason for staying at Shinshiyo Ryokan, besides the hot springs, was the kaiseki dinner.
Kaiseki is the highlight of any ryokan stay.
From appetizers to sashimi, grilled dishes, shabu-shabu, steamed dishes, rice and miso soup, tempura and dessert, there were so many dishes my eyes went wide.
I found this carefully prepared meal more satisfying than a buffet, and kids get the same course as adults.
Yans cooked his own shabu-shabu.
Drinks weren’t expensive, so I couldn’t resist ordering one.
- The kaiseki menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll find new dishes depending on when you visit.
- Request meat, fish or vegetarian options when booking, and set your dinner time at check-in. We chose 8 p.m. and took our time.
I took tons of photos, and there were many more dishes than these. Traditional Oita kaiseki is a must on any trip to Japan, and staying at Shinshiyo Ryokan is the way to try it.
I was too full for dessert, so they delivered apple sherbet to our room. Light and delicious.
4. Hot Springs
The baths are on about the second floor and separated by gender.
Inside are baskets for your clothes.
There are sinks, massage chairs and a rest area.
There are indoor and open-air baths, and the water left my skin silky smooth. There’s a shared grand bath with indoor and open-air sections, a forest open-air bath and a family bath.
The forest bath is outdoors with stunning scenery, one of the main reasons people come to Shinshiyo Ryokan.
5. Breakfast and Service
Kaiseki isn’t the end of it: breakfast is excellent too. Buffet breakfasts never quite work for me, but this one went down easily.
- Traditional Japanese breakfast with grilled fish, rice, miso soup and rolled omelet
- Friendly service and a peaceful ryokan atmosphere
- A light Japanese set breakfast with coffee and tea
- The staff were wonderfully kind, a true taste of omotenashi
Breakfast was so neat and beautifully presented that it was a feast for the eyes.
Eating with a beautiful view in the morning made it taste even better.
It has become one of the places I most want to return to in Hita.
Who Shinshiyo Ryokan Is For
- Anyone who wants hot springs and great food together
- Anyone who wants to experience a traditional ryokan
- Anyone looking for a quiet, healing getaway
Final Thoughts on Shinshiyo Ryokan
- Highly recommended for hot springs and kaiseki in a quiet ryokan
- Private open-air bath rooms make for a special trip to Japan
If you’re considering a ryokan stay in Hita, I recommend Shinshiyo Ryokan. It’s a great choice for enjoying hot springs and fine food together.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in January 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.