The Oedo Onsen Monogatari Group opened “TAOYA Aso” (5-35 Oaza Kawakage, Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture) on July 1; this marks the first Kyushu location of its hot spring resort brand “TAOYA.”
Located in the heart of Kyushu within Aso-Kuju National Park, this destination offers hot springs with breathtaking views of the Five Peaks of Aso and gourmet cuisine featuring local ingredients, all in a cool climate with average temperatures of about 26°C in July and August. It is accessible within about a 3-hour drive or train ride from any prefecture in Kyushu, and is about a 30-minute drive from Kumamoto Airport.
The all-glass lounge serves afternoon tea upon arrival and night afternoon tea after dinner. TAOYA operates on an all-inclusive basis, so in addition to beverages such as cold juices and draft beer, guests can enjoy freshly made desserts like the “Lady’s Mont Blanc” and the seasonal “Watermelon Roll Cake” at no extra charge.
Both breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style. In addition to a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, the menu features keema curry made with “Aka-ushi,” a local specialty Wagyu beef, as well as Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen, and an all-you-can-drink selection that includes local sake and wine.
The guest rooms are primarily Western-style and Japanese-style, including the “Standard Triple (Shower Only)” (sleeps 4), which offers views of lush natural scenery outside the window, and the “Standard Japanese-Style Room (10 tatami mats) with Private Bath” (sleeps 4).
The large hot spring bath, which offers a direct view of the Five Peaks of Aso, is fully equipped with hair dryers and showerheads from famous brands such as Dyson and Refa. In addition, an infinity-style open-air bath—where the water’s surface and the scenery seem to blend seamlessly—is scheduled to open around fall 2026.
© Source travel watch