[Access] About 40 minutes by car from Kumamoto IC
[Website] Komezuka Onsen, Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel (Japanese)

Since it was Golden Week, many of the hot springs I wanted to visit were fully booked. After a hike on Mount Sobo, I really wanted to stay at an onsen and found Komezuka Onsen. I’ve visited Aso many times but hadn’t heard of this place before. When I drove in, I had to go through about 2 km of golf course before reaching the hotel entrance, which made me wonder if there could really be an onsen here. “Kigokoro-no-Yu” is the hotel’s onsen, and it also allows day-use visitors.

The spacious indoor bath and relaxing open-air bath with reclining areas felt fantastic. The onsen water is clear with a slight yellow tint, similar to the Aso Volcanic Onsen I enjoyed at Aso Farm Land. After the intense hike, soaking here really relieved the heaviness in my legs. The onsen water type is a sodium-magnesium-calcium sulfate spring, with a source temperature of 46°C and total mineral content of 3490 mg/kg.

This time, I stayed overnight instead of just using the day bath. My room offered a stunning view of the green golf course stretching out to Aso’s mountains. I don’t play golf, but it looks like an incredible spot for it! Kids were playing outside, clearly enjoying themselves. The breakfast buffet included many local dishes, which added to the experience at this hotel.