Chikugogawa Onsen in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is a peaceful hot spring town with a wonderful nostalgic feel. The area is famous for its exceptionally pure water, distinguished as one of Japan’s 100 remarkable waters, and its beautiful seasonal fruit orchards. Right at the heart of this town sits Kiyonoya, a ryokan that has been sharing its unique hot spring and local ingredients for 70 years since opening in 1956.
We spoke with the third-generation owner, Mr. Takagi, and his son about the inn’s history, their incredible skin-softening water, and what it means to protect this family legacy.
(Left) Owner’s Son
(Right) Owner Mr. Takagi
These two genuinely love their hometown. They shared their passion for preserving Ukiha’s local food and the exceptional quality of the hot springs, while continuing to evolve for the future.
Kiyonoya features pristine hot spring waters and a barrel sauna, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
From Mulberry Fields to Hot Spring: Kiyonoya’s Story
—First, could you tell us about the charm of the Chikugogawa Onsen area and how the inn began?
Mr. Takagi: Ukiha has incredibly clean water, and we are blessed with delicious fruit all year round. The inn itself goes back to my grandfather’s time. Around 1955, this whole area was just mulberry fields. My grandfather noticed bubbles rising in one specific spot and felt that the ground was warm. He guessed there might be a hot spring underneath and started drilling. He finally struck water in the autumn of 1955, and we opened on New Year’s Day in 1956. I heard it was a very small, simple wooden building back then.
—Happy 70th anniversary! So the story of your inn is actually the history of Chikugogawa Onsen itself.
Protecting and Evolving the Hot Spring That Feels Like a Skin-Softening Lotion
— What do you value most as the third-generation owner?
Mr. Takagi: The one thing we can never change is the quality of our water. We are completely dedicated to using 100% pure water flowing straight from the source. It is an alkaline hot spring with a high pH of around 8.9, which gives the water a uniquely thick, silky feel. Our guests love it and tell us it feels exactly like soaking in a skin-softening lotion.
— At the same time, you have also introduced some modern updates to keep up with the times, right?Mr. Takagi: Yes. We want to match modern trends, so we remodeled some guest rooms to include private open-air baths and added a barrel sauna. We also built a Sky Sauna on the rooftop to make the most of our great views. It is quite rare to find a place that offers a hot spring, a sauna, a cold plunge pool, and an outdoor relaxation space all in one spot. Giving guests a private, luxurious space to enjoy all four elements is what makes Kiyonoya special。
Local Blessings and an Okinawan Breeze Brought by the Okami
— Tell us a bit about your menu and the overall style of the inn.
The Son: Our kitchen uses a lot of local Ukiha ingredients, like Minou Eaton pork and fresh fruits grown with our local spring water. Because it is traditional Japanese cuisine, our head chef takes great care to make every plate look beautiful and colorful.
Mr. Takagi: Also, my wife, the Okami, is originally from Okinawa, so we have Okinawan sweets and crafts on display around the ryokan. We even used Okinawan Ryukyu Limestone for the rocks in our baths. These special touches are great conversation starters with our guests.
Discovering the True Value of a Hometown
— I understand you moved to the city before deciding to come back to the family business?
The Son: When I was younger, I wanted to experience city life, so I left home. But living in the city meant using small showers and regular tap water, and that experience made me realize for the first time just how special our hot spring water really is. When I came back as an adult and stepped into our baths again, I thought, “Wow, this silky texture is incredible.”
— That realization clearly connects to the passion you have for your work now.
The Son: Definitely. I used to work with machinery, but now I find working directly with people incredibly rewarding. Hearing a guest say “thank you” is a feeling money can’t buy. I truly feel this is my calling, and I want to protect the Kiyonoya name and this amazing hot spring for the future.
The Kind of Inn That Feels Like Home
Mr. Takagi: We really want people to come and experience our hot spring for themselves. Ukiha has wonderful places to explore, like the historic white-walled district, so we hope guests enjoy the whole town.
The Son: We want to be a warm, welcoming place where we can tell returning guests “welcome home.” Ukiha is often called the center of Kyushu because it is so easy to get to. We hope travelers will stay with us as a base to explore everything Kyushu has to offer.
A personal journey away from home led to a deep appreciation for the true value of the family hot spring, inspiring a commitment to pass Kiyonoya on to the next generation. By combining modern design, local food shaped by Ukiha’s pure waters, and a hot spring experience powered by its natural skin-softening source, the inn has become more than just a place to stay, it is a place to truly experience the local land. Here, the owners embrace a quiet challenge, keeping 70 years of memories alive while shaping the future of travel.
Interviewer: Yohei Osaki
Translation: Alyssa Rossi
Kiyonoya
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