[2014 Kyushu Family Trip - 2] Okunoyu, a Premium Ryokan in Kurokawa Hot Springs

December 22nd, 2014

My family has finally arrived at Kurokawa Hot Springs after spendin (delayed) hours on the plane, and 3 hours on the bus.

and this is the Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Style Hotel), my family had booked to stay for the night.
The ryokan was called "Okunoyu."

This was actually my first time spending the night at a ryokan, and my mom and I were pretty hyped!

While my parents and a group of people we've met along the way were checking in,

I took a look around at the lobby of the ryokan Okunoyu.

Everything was so clean, and everything gave me that 'cozy' feeling.


after the check-in, my family was taken to our room.

AAAAWWWWWWWW YEAH!!!!
THIS ROOM IS FANTASTIC!!!

This is actually the type of room (Western+Japanes style) that is typically the most expensive in Japanese hotels and ryokans.

Generally, the western style rooms are the least expensive, Japanese style rooms falls in the middle, and the Japanese style rooms with Western style beds are the most expensive.

My family was booked to this Western+Japanese style room because we booked the trip too late.
haha.

Still, we ended up in a room that looks amazing!!
and you know what else is awesome about this super-expensive room??

It comes with a balcony with a private hot tub!!
H*ll YEAH!!

The balcony also has a really nice view too!

when I came back into the room,

the worker of the ryokan has prepared a special tea time for my family!

One mochi per person,

and one cup of green tea per person.

after eating the mochi and drinking the cup of green tea, I went outside with my camera to take a look around Okunoyu.
TIME FOR SOME NIGHT-TIME PHOTOGRAPHY!!

This was the hallway of the building we stayed in.

and this is the exterior of the building we stayed in.
This is actually the newer building.

yes, I know my mother is in both of these pictures. She does that because she believes "it's not our picture unless we are in it."

I believe this structure is called "Onsen Jigoku," and it stands in between the main building and the newer building.

What makes this structure so awesome is the large amount of hot steam that comes out from it.

Not to mention that 'Hydrogen Sulfide' smell of the hot Springs!

This building was right next to the 'Onsen Jigoku.'
I honestly have no idea what it's for.

This is the main building, where my family checked in.

This is the front gate that leads to the front desk.

This is the garden that is right next to the main building of Okunoyu.
I heard that it's not easy to see snow in Kyushu, but I guess my family was really fortunate to get to see such wonderful scenery! The snow made everything in Okunoyu look even better!!

This time, I went down the path that was behind the newer building.

I was wondering why there was a big pool of water on the lower floor of the newer building, but it turns out to be the swimming pool.

Although this may be too dark to actually see it, there was a stream flowing to the left of me.
Nice looking lighting, a little bit of snow blanket, and a sound of a water flowing...
My goodness, this place is so wonderful!!

Everything looked so gorgeous at Okunoyu.

by the end of the trail, there was this building.
This building is actually the "Hinoki Bath building," which I had no idea at the time I was taking this picture.

After reaching the Hinoki Bath building, turned around and started heading back to the room.
It was almost time for the scheduled dinner anyway.

I've got to say,
ryokan Okunoyu has a really beautiful atmosphere.
It actually feels like a small, cozy village you might see in a fantasy game, or something like that.
(cough!.... Yukumo Village... cough!)

Although the price is ridiculously expensive,
I'll say it is worth it, since everything about this place soothes your soul!!

Why is that?
you'll see in the later posts!