I Looked Into Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan

On this blog, despite being the indoor type who barely moves at home, I keep digging into official websites for inns and campgrounds that catch my interest. I've lost count of how many hot spring ryokans I've looked into by now, but it's just my nature, so I keep going.

This time I looked into "Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan." It boasts a continuously-flowing bath fed from a hot spring with the somewhat ominous-sounding name Daikyokan Jigoku, and the name caught my attention enough that I opened up the official website.

The Short Version

Apparently this is the kind of ryokan that hot-spring hoppers would love, with the large bath, open-air bath, and private baths all being source-fed, continuously-flowing hot springs.
The Rakuten Mobile signal came back as a C rating in an actual test, so I'll be upfront about that.

I've summarized the details below.

What Kind of Ryokan Is Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan?

It's a ryokan located in the Unzen hot spring town area of Obama-cho, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture, apparently newly rebuilt and renovated in 2022. Since it's been 93 years since its founding (as of 2022), it seems the building may be new, but the history behind it runs quite deep. I noticed a signature from the representative on a notice document on the official website, which gave me the impression that this is a ryokan that's been run with real dedication over the years.

Check-in is from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and check-out is by 11:00 AM, with guidance that you should contact them in advance if you'll arrive after 6:00 PM. I couldn't find room rates listed on the official website itself — it looks like it directs you to an external booking system instead. Parking costs 500 yen (tax included) per night per car, and reservations for parking aren't accepted. It seems phone reservations are also accepted, but checking the details through the external booking system looks like the more reliable way to go.

Komorin

It's kind of interesting that there's a 93-year history, yet the building was renovated in 2022 — quite a gap. Since I'm not really a driver myself, I found myself wanting to check the bus situation before worrying about parking, but the official website didn't seem to have much detail on that.

Checking Out Kirin no Yu and the Three Baths

The biggest highlight of this ryokan does seem to be Kirin no Yu, the bath fed from the Daikyokan Jigoku hot spring. All three types of baths — the large bath, the open-air bath, and the private baths — are apparently source-fed and continuously flowing, which sounds like a pretty luxurious setup for anyone who cares about water quality. Because of the sulfur spring, there are no card keys or automatic toilet-washing units installed, which gave me the impression that this ryokan leans away from the latest conveniences and focuses instead on letting you enjoy the hot spring itself.

It looks like there are three types of rooms available: a Deluxe Twin with a terrace, a Premium Design Room with a semi-open-air bath and terrace, and a Premium Design Corner room, also with a semi-open-air bath and terrace. If you stay in a room with a semi-open-air bath, you could enjoy the hot spring right in your room without needing to reserve a private bath, which might suit anyone who'd rather not worry about crowding. The entire building, including the room terraces, is non-smoking, so that's worth keeping in mind before check-in.

Meals are served at the restaurant Oyama Dining, and dinner apparently consists of original dishes blending Japanese and Western influences, made with local ingredients. There don't seem to be any barrier-free guest rooms, but there is a wheelchair-accessible universal restroom on the first floor, so that's another point worth checking in advance.

The surrounding area appears to be right in the heart of the Unzen hot spring town, with the Unzen hell valley located in the same area. The official website didn't specify exactly how many minutes away it is on foot, so it's probably best to check a map once you're actually planning your visit.

Rakuten Mobile Signal Conditions

Since I use Rakuten Mobile myself, whether or not I'll get signal at a ryokan's location is always something I check. When I looked up this facility's location using the official "My Area Network Simulation" tool, the overall rating came back as a "C."

Given the C rating, it's probably worth checking on the connectivity situation in advance before you go. Since Unzen is a hot spring town nestled in the mountains, it might be safer to be a bit cautious about how well signal reaches there. I couldn't find a clear mention of in-house Wi-Fi on the official website, so if you want to make sure you have a way to connect, it's probably best to ask the ryokan directly beforehand.

Komorin

A C rating is just something I have to accept honestly. That said, I figure if it means being able to soak in the hot spring without worrying about my phone, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

See Rakuten Mobile Details

Wrapping Up

To sum it up again, Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan struck me as a ryokan where you can really settle in and enjoy Kirin no Yu, with the large bath, open-air bath, and private baths all being source-fed, continuously-flowing hot springs. The fact that it has a 93-year history yet was renovated in 2022 also left me with the impression of a place that combines both freshness and accumulated history.

On the other hand, the Rakuten Mobile signal came back with a C rating, so if connectivity matters to you, it's probably worth checking in advance for peace of mind. If you're curious, you can check it yourself using the official Rakuten Mobile tool, so it might be worth a look when you're considering a stay.

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