Originally Posted by
KI-NRT
Difficult question to answer. First off, are you going to be renting a car? If so, it will really help you get around and be as efficient as possible. Also, are you fine with constantly changing properties? We don't mind it one bit if the differences in experience warrant it, but your mileage may vary.
On the one hand, Shinsen offered dramatically varied food offerings each day (especially for dinner) - there's zero repetition in what is served, and you won't feel cheated. On the other hand, Sanso Murata is in Oita Prefecture, and there are some unique local delicacies that are quite different from what places in Kumamoto and Miyazaki have.
While there is not a ton of things to do immediately near Takachiho, there actually is if you're a Japan/history buff. Amano Iwata Shrine and Amano Yasugawara (the latter has a Torii Gate in a cave and has quite the backstory behind its legend) are worthwhile if you do your homework and care about such things. And Unoko Falls is a very secluded place (not one other person was there when we visited) and is gorgeous. But this goes back to the rental car question. If you do have it, that dramatically expands the possibility. First and foremost is the Mt. Aso area, which includes the main crater. You can even take a helicopter flight over the crater (Kilauea style), and on a day when the crater is active, it's a stunning sight.
Sanso Murata is in Yufuin, which is a pretty Onsen town (in the main area) and is also not far from Beppu, which has some interesting tourist attractions. It will also allow you to fly out of Oita Airport, which is only about 75 minutes away by car.
Tough call!
P.S. - Another not-so-obvious option, but if Takefue is available for 2 nights, I'd lean towards staying both nights there over the 1/1 split between Takefue and Gosho Gekkoju. And since Mt. Aso is about a similar drive time from Kurokawa Onsen as it is from Takachiho, by staying 2 nights at Takefue you can step out one day and go to Mt. Aso (without regretting having to leave the property too much), and also cutting Shinsen to 1 night in lieu of a stay at Sanso Murata.
Thanks for your reply. We are indeed renting a car since it would otherwise be impossible to get from Takachiho to Kirishima without spending an entire day in transit. I'm usually not a fan of switching hotels everyday, but this might be our last trip to Japan for a while. Piror to covid, I made a trip out there every year on my way to visit family in China, but my wife and I are trying to start a family and most Ryokans are not super baby friendly.
I suspect we will end up shortening our stay in Shinsen so we could venture out to Yufuin. One of the primary reasons Oita was was left out of my initial i
tinerary was the fact that I was unable to find a suitable Ryokan on the same level as the other 4. Thanks to your guide, that is no longer the case.
I do remember reading your review on Tripadvisor comparing Takefue to Gekkoujyu, and that you gave the edge to Takefue. The room I booked in Takefue was available for another night 2 days ago, but I just checked and it's no longer the case. I'm amazed that so many places are getting booked out 5 months ahead of time.
Side note, I didn't see Onyado Chikurintei on your list. The property looks amazing, but would love to hear your thoughts if you've had the chance to stay there. Unfortunately it's booked out everyday in November after the 8th, so we'll have to come back to this one a few years down the road.