2022 the place to go in Aso Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamoto prefecture is well know as Amakusa, Kumamoto castle and Mount Aso.

Many people will go to Aso for sightseeing. Nature panorama view and delicous food. I also like Aso city but if you come to South Aso why not try more drive at east part??

Kurokawa Onsen, one of the best hot spring towns in Japan, is located in Minamioguni, Aso-gun.

I might feel that if you come to Kurokawa onsen, need to stay one night there but atcually you can also do the day trip.

Especially winter is really nice time to go there because of the traditional light festival is held and it’s really beautiful.

On 2020 I also introduced but 2022 is the anniversary for this event so I will highlight again with other sightseeing spot which I couldn’t go last time.

If you didn’t check the surrounding sightseeing spot from Kurokawa onsen please refer to below link.

Oita prefecture Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi is quite near to Kurokawa onsen. This bridge is the highest bridge in Japan and you can enjoy the wonderful panorama view there.

Kumamoto Onsen trip#5 Recommand sightseeing spot around Kurokawa Onsen

TOC

Use at commercial on TV Nabegataki par

It’s 20 minutes far from Kurokawa onsen by car and the point at this waterfall is that you can go right behind the waterfall.

Because it can see from behind of waterfall it is also called backward waterfall.

Waterfall iteslf is 20m width and 10m difference so not so big but compact view with balancing water flow can create the water curtain.

It’s old commecrial but this area was used for green tea commercial.

For COVID-19 currently you can go by reservation in advance. You need to reserve by internet.

Booking site can go from here.

During winter Nabegataki will held light up event which make it more attractive. I also wanted to see but new year season is closed so couldn’t able to see it.

Photo is borrowed from PHOTOHITO.

One of the spot to go at least once but actually this place is nominated in Japan scenery best 20.

I’m really regret that not able to see.

Nabegataki basic info

Entrance fee：Adult （Above high school student）300yen (3 USD)

　 　　 　Children （elementry & junior high school student）150 yen (1.5 USD)

Operation hour：９：００ ～ １７：００ （Last enter １６：３０）

Address：Kurobuchi, Oguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2502, Japan

TEL：096-333-2335

Legend of large snake to live unexplored region of 7 waterfall

Just around 10 minutes by car from Kurokawa Onsen and hidden sightseeing spot.

There are 7 waterfall including big and small at lower stream of Oda river. The walkway is maintained well to walk properly so you can see the waterfall basin closely.

During summer these nature can make you feel cool, duirng autumn you can enjoy the nice leaf fall.

Once you get off the parking you will see 2 walkway right and left.

The pciture above is taken from the left walkway. If you want to go closer to waterfall left side is not possible. So you need to choose right side walkway.

But the stairs are bit long so it might be tired to return back to parking lot.

10 year anniversary Kurokawa onsen Yuakari

Yuakari is held until April but this year 2022 is the 10 year anniversary for this event.

Yuakari is still new event which was start from 2012 in Kurokawa onsen.

This event started to protect the region environment from abandoned bamboo by cutting and renovating.

What is Kurokawa onsen

All season you can see very nice view in Kurokawa onsen but Yuakari only held during winter season.

Last year also went to Kurokawa onsen and joined the event of Yuakari. This year there were no snow but last year was heavy snow so which enhance the beautiful scenery more nicer. Please also review it to check the difference.

Kumamoto Onsen trip#2 The reason why you should go Kurokawa in winter

This year to fight against COVID-19 and for 10 years anniversary it was little but different. The difference was the design for the river. Actually during the first event they suppose to do but after that they didn’t do it.

Great thanks to people who are involved this event since all is handmade by the people who live in Kurokawa and support Kurokawa. So each year I was able to see different scene.

Please refer to official website fore more info.

This year we also try to go to difference place. 1 is same which is Maruinbashi and another is Manganji. It was good decision to choose Manganji.

Below picture is the Maruinbashi before the light up. You can compare the difference after the light up is start.

I parked my car at Kazenoya. Other than here there are 1st parking, 2nd parking, 3rd parking and so on. But the number of the parking lot increase the distance to Kurokawa onsen become far. If you want to see at Maruinbashi I prefer yout stay at Kazunoya and wait in the car since there going to be very very long queue.

All parking lot is free.

How to use Kurokawa onsen “Nyuyu tegata”

At the beginning I mentioned about Nyuyu tegata you can purchase this ticket at Kazenoya or any hotel in Kurokawa onsen.

In Kurokawa there are 30 hotel is operating by owning there own onsen by pruchasing this ticket you can choose 3 hotel to enjoy onsen from 30 onsen.

But 1 person can buy only 1ticket unless you finish to use.

Price for adult is 1,300 yen (13 USD) and for children (3 years old to 12 years old) is 700 yen (7 USD).

I wrote the detail about how to use “Nyuyu tegata” previously please check if you want more info.

Hidden spot?? Kurokawa shrine Myojin-sam

Kurokawa Shrine is known as Myojin-sama by the locals.

Every October 20th is the day of worship at the Kurokawa Shrine. We are praying for the safety of the Kurokawa Onsen town every year by replacing the shimenawa.

This Kurokawa shrine was also lighted up during Yuakari so I thought better to come to see the new scenery.

I arrived at the site before the sunset and waited for the light up.

Luckily nobody came to here so he had our own time.

It’s just 5 to 10 minutes walk from Kazunoya you can even come for short pray.

10 year anniversary Yuakari at Maruinbashi

After enjoy the time at Kurokawa shrine we went to Maruinbashi.

This area is main spot and near to Kazenoya many people were enjoying the view.

Photo taken by OLYMPUS E-PL10

The bamboo you can see thought growing from the river is the design for 10 years anniversary.

The below picture is the one I tooked in 2020 from Marurinbashi. (Samsung note20 ultra)

2022 is more spectacular than 2020, isn’t it? Fortunately, it wasn’t too cold that day, so I was able to stay longer.

Very fantastic view.

Both versions are nice but maybe next year the bamboo inside river cannot be seen.

Why don’t you take a look at the fantastic scenery of the lights made by the people involved in this nature and Kurokawa Onsen? Many people see it on a day trip without staying at hotel in Kurokawa Onsen.

Summary

I stayed in Hozantei again at Kurokawa onsen.

The final decision is because of a private open-air bath. This year I have chosen the sweet room which is bigger than the previous room I will introduce by different article.

The below link is about Hozantei which I went to in 2020. It was my first time staying at a gorgeous hotel in Japan. I hope you can sympathize with what impressed you.

Kumamoto Onsen trip#4 recommand to stay in Kurokawa onsen “Hozantei”

Japan offers a wide variety of sweets. You will probably have a hard time deciding which to buy: chocolate, candy, biscuits, or traditional Japanese sweets. Also, some are seasonal, which will make you even more confused.
There is a website that summarizes what is the best Japanese sweets, and we hope you will enjoy Japanese sweets with this website.
Japanese snacks lab