Enmeikan

About Enmeikan

Located on the border of Fukuoka and Oita Prefectures, Enmeikan is a long-established ryokan in Harazuru Onsen, Asakura City, with more than 80 years of history. Harazuru Onsen has long been cherished as “Fukuoka’s inner retreat.” The hot spring first discovered by the founding owner became known locally as a place where “a soak would add years to your life,” and it came to be affectionately called the “Spring of Life.” In 1930 (Showa 5), carrying forward that hope, the founder named the inn Enmeikan, wishing it to remain a life-giving hot spring for generations to come.

The ryokan has just 15 guest rooms, all facing the Chikugo River. From each room, guests can take in expansive seasonal river views and glowing sunsets over the water. Removed from the rush of the city, the inn offers a peaceful setting where you can unwind to the gentle sound of the flowing river. Its warm, welcoming atmosphere and intimate scale make it a comforting and relaxing riverside retreat.

Room

​​All guest rooms face southwest and overlook the Chikugo River, offering soothing views of the gentle river flow and seasonal scenery throughout the year. With only 15 rooms in total, the inn has an intimate and quiet atmosphere. Guests can choose from three types of traditional Japanese-style rooms (6, 10, or 12 tatami mats), as well as Japanese-Western style rooms equipped with beds, depending on their group size and preference.

The interiors retain a touch of Showa-era charm, with a retro and calming design that feels warm and nostalgic. It is also possible to enjoy a room designed for two guests as a single occupant for a more spacious and relaxing stay. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, making them suitable for remote work as well. With the sound of the flowing river as natural background music, each room provides a peaceful space where you can truly unwind.

Dinner and Breakfast

Dinner is one of Enmeikan’s main attractions: a creative Japanese-Western fusion course that changes daily. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients from Kyushu and Fukuoka, carefully prepared to bring out their natural flavors. Western-style dishes such as terrines and sautéed items are served alongside Japanese favorites like sashimi and tempura, creating a well-balanced and satisfying meal. The variety keeps guests interested from start to finish, and the presentation reflects the beauty of each season. The course menu changes monthly, so you can enjoy dishes that make the most of the freshest ingredients available at that time.

The drink menu is also extensive. In addition to beer, there is a wide selection of cocktails, sake, and wine. Enmeikan’s original signature cocktails are especially popular among guests.

Breakfast is served as a traditional Japanese set meal with gentle, comforting flavors. The spread includes grilled fish, fluffy rolled omelet, small side dishes, salad, and white miso soup with a mild, soothing taste. Along with steamed rice, green tea soba is also served, making it a generous and filling meal. Many guests say it feels like a luxurious way to start the day. It’s a hearty breakfast that provides plenty of energy for the day ahead.

For day-trip visitors, a lunch menu is also available. With a reservation made the day before, you can enjoy a seasonal main dish, along with soup and pasta, while taking in views of the Chikugo River throughout the year. It’s a great choice for a slightly special lunch during your visit.

Onsen

The greatest appeal of Enmeikan is, without a doubt, its fresh natural hot spring. The water combines two types of spring qualities—alkaline simple hot spring and simple sulfur spring. It gently removes old skin cells, leaving the skin smooth, and is also believed to help brighten the complexion. For this reason, it is often called a “double beauty bath.” The spring water is also rich in natural carbon dioxide, and when you soak, tiny bubbles cling to your skin. This is considered proof of the water’s freshness and has even led some to describe it as a “triple beauty bath.”

The source temperature is around 39–40°C (102–104°F), slightly lukewarm and close to body temperature, making it ideal for long, relaxing baths. All baths are 100% pure, free-flowing spring water with no added water or heating. Soaking slowly in the fresh water warms you from the inside out. Many guests say their skin looks brighter after bathing and feels hydrated and firm even the next morning. It truly lives up to its name “Enmei” (longevity), offering an anti-aging effect in the form of a restorative bath.

The large public bath is separated by gender and includes both indoor and open-air baths. From the outdoor bath, you can enjoy wide views of the Chikugo River while soaking in the open air. At sunset, the view of the sun setting over the river directly in front of you is especially beautiful and calming. In 2019, three private family baths were newly added (reservation required): a ceramic bath, a barrel bath, and an earthen bath, each with its own unique atmosphere. All are also supplied with 100% free-flowing spring water, allowing you to enjoy the high-quality hot spring in complete privacy. They are popular with solo travelers and couples alike.

There is also a shampoo bar offering a wide variety of shampoos, which guests can use freely according to their preference. Female guests are provided with complimentary face masks, and applying them after soaking in the hot spring is said to enhance the skin-beautifying effects even further.

Special Activities

Female guests can enjoy a special service at check-in: choosing their favorite yukata from four beautifully designed, colorful options created by a professional designer. Wearing a yukata in your preferred color and pattern adds to the excitement of your stay and makes exploring the ryokan and the surrounding hot spring town even more enjoyable.

On the top floor, guests have exclusive access to the Sky Garden “Sora,” a relaxing public space open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Here, you can bring books and coffee from the lounge to enjoy a quiet reading moment, unwind in a hammock, or simply relax at your own pace. The panoramic view overlooking the Chikugo River is breathtaking, especially at sunset or under a sky full of stars.

Next to the private baths is a multi-purpose event space called “Mirai,” established in 2019. Various events are held here throughout the year, including local food and drink stalls and live music performances. Guests can use the space free of charge, and the open-air setting is perfect for activities such as barbecues. Seasonal events such as children’s pools, shaved ice stands, and evening festivals create a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

During the summer season (typically mid-May to October), guests can watch traditional cormorant fishing on the Chikugo River right in front of the ryokan. Under the glow of flaming torches in the dark, skilled fishermen control trained cormorants to catch fish—an impressive sight and a beloved summer tradition of Harazuru Onsen. Enmeikan’s location near the boarding area for viewing boats allows guests to enjoy this experience up close.

Inside the ryokan, you may also discover the hidden mascot, “Morio-kun.” He has a tiny house near the rooftop entrance and loves playing hide-and-seek somewhere in the building. If you are lucky enough to find him and show your photo to the staff, you might receive a small surprise.

Plan List

Access

15-2 Haki Shiwa, Asakura City, Fukuoka 838-1521, Japan

By Car

Take the Oita Expressway and exit at Haki IC.
From there, it is approximately 6 minutes via local roads (Route 386)

By Highway Bus

From Nishitetsu Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal or Fukuoka Airport, take a highway bus bound for Hita and get off at Haki Bus Stop.
It is about 5 minutes by taxi from the bus stop.

By Train

From Hakata Station, take the JR Kagoshima Main Line to Kurume Station.
Transfer to the JR Kyudai Main Line and get off at Chikugo-Yoshii Station.
It is about 10 minutes by taxi from the station.

Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions