KI-NRT thanks for your earlier advice on Gifu. You helped me narrow down a few places but after much research and deliberation I have decided to focus on Kyushu instead. We are starting in Nagoya and the logistics of driving from the city to Fukui via Takayama and Awara Onsen was no appealing. More importantly, the ryokon / onsen offerings did not look as good as Kyushu, even in the highest end the value was not there (at least on reviews etc.).


On a trip in 2023 we stayed at Okuhita Onsen Umehibiki, Sanso Murata, Galleria Midobaru, and Hozentai. On this trip we started in Kumamoto and ended in Oita with a rental car. We loved this.


On this trip which is in December this year (few weeks), the plan is to fly from Nagoya and rent a car (NGO not Komaki as Fuji Dream has terrible extra checked baggage policies). We have 3 nights.


I have narrowed down 3 different trips and would love your perspective.


1. NGO to Nagasaki. Onyado Chikurinte -> Sanso Tensui -> Gensuirou 阿蘇旅館 源翠瓏. KMJ to ITM.

2. NGO to Oita. Sanso Tensui -> Takefue -> Gensuirou. KMJ to ITM.


3. NGO to KOJ. Wasure-no-sato Gajoen 忘れの里 雅叙苑 -> Gensuirou or Takefue -> Sanso Tensui. OIT to ITM.


For Takefue I have Tenku, Sasane and Mone available on my dates. I am good with really any of them but have seen very little review on Sasane and Mone. The view from Tenku doesent seem as great (as it's the annex?) and the price is almost $1k CAD more than those other rooms.


For Onyado Chikurinte I only have Yamazakura which quite honestly seems underwhelming. For 200k JPY it doesent seem like great value.


I welcome any feedback and would love to know if you have any other recommendations for these routes. Any new openings would be welcome.


Thank you very much in advance.