Staying in Japan’s $100 IGLOO Hotel vs. $1,000 PRIVATE Bath Inn

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Explore two contrasting accommodations in Kyushu: a quirky igloo hotel at Aso Farm Land and a luxurious traditional inn with private hot springs in Kurokawa Onsen, alongside a hike up Mount Aso.

1 days · 3 places · 2 experiences

Day 2 · 3 places · Kumamoto, Japan

Kumamoto Adventure: Igloos, Volcanoes & Onsen Luxury

“On Day 2 of our Journey Across Japan, we stay overnight in an IGLOO, & traditional inn with a huge PRIVATE bath, after exploring Mount Aso.”

1
Aso Farm Land
Theme park · Minamiaso
3.7 (328)Closed · opens tomorrow 10 AM
Creator's voice
A unique resort featuring 450 earthquake-resistant domed houses made from polystyrene foam, resembling something out of The Flintstones or Smurfs. It's a vast, somewhat ghostly village that feels amazing for kids but a bit bizarre for adults. The Royal Zone offers larger igloos with gardens. The igloos were originally designed as shelters before being converted into a hotel.
Japan, 〒869-1404 Kumamoto, Aso District, Minamiaso, Kawayo, 5579-3 阿蘇元気の森／阿蘇ファームランド
- Standard Igloo Dome House — A simple, domed room made of polystyrene foam. The bed is a bit hard and small, with feet potentially hanging off. The bathtub has a weird shape. It feels like a cheap hotel, but the unique structure is earthquake-proof.
- Royal Zone Igloo House — These are the biggest igloo houses at Aso Farm Land, coming with a garden. They are not numbered like the standard igloos, indicating a more premium experience.
Experience · 1 place
Hiking Mount Aso's Volcanic Desert
morning
Ascend Mount Aso to Nakadaki, one of its five peaks, where the landscape dramatically shifts to a hellish, barren volcanic desert, feeling like you've traded Japan for Mars. Be aware of the sulfur dioxide gas levels; today it's at 2 ppm, so be cautious if you have heart disease or tuberculosis. The area is under constant surveillance and can be closed if gas levels are too high. While you can't always see the main crater, the sprawling volcanic desert itself is impressive. There's a degree of risk with active volcanoes, but the otherworldly backdrop is perfect for a chaotic rap music video.
2
Mount Aso
Volcano · Aso
4.5
Creator's voice
Japan's largest active volcano and one of the largest supervolcanoes on the planet, standing at 1500 meters. It features a hellish volcanic desert on its summit, with seven craters, only one of which is publicly accessible. The area is monitored for hazardous gas levels, which can lead to closures. It's a place of both stunning natural beauty and inherent risk due to its active nature.
Mount Aso, Takawara, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2223, Japan
3
Kurokawa Onsen
Minamioguni
Creator's voice
Kyushu's most picturesque hot spring town, located just 20 kilometers north of Mount Aso. Unlike many Japanese hot spring towns, Kurokawa maintains an authentic feel with old wooden buildings that blend into the surrounding forest and river, rather than being dominated by concrete hotels. It's known for its beautiful traditional inns, many of which offer private baths.
Kurokawa Onsen, Manganji, Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2402, Japan
- Natsuki's Private Bath Room — An incredible room featuring one of the nicest outdoor hot springs seen in a room, complete with its own cave and a view of the valley with light filtering through the trees. It also includes a massage chair and a secret second bath.
- Joey & Chris's Private Bath Room — A lovely room with black tatami mats, which are very rare. It features a very fancy outside onsen with a beautiful blue water and a view of the mountains. The room also has a massage chair and wooden sun lounges for relaxation. It's a nice mix of a Western-style room and a traditional Japanese inn.
- Kuroge Wagyu Shabu-Shabu · ¥ (implied) — A hotpot dish of thinly sliced Kuroge Wagyu beef from Kumamoto, typically boiled in water with vegetables. The name 'shabu-shabu' is an onomatopoeia for the 'swish-swish' sound of the ingredients being stirred in the simmering water.
Experience here
Filming a Rap Video in a Private Onsen
evening
Utilize the private bath in your room at Kurokawa Onsen to film a rap video. The steam coming off the hot water creates a cool cinematic effect. You can use phone-controlled lights to flicker around the room as the steam builds up. It's a unique and fun way to combine relaxation with creativity, even if it leaves your skin feeling 'pirated' after two hours.