I just need to say this out loud: 

This winter… 

is TOO COLD!!! 

Seriously, my body feels stiff, and I swear my HP is draining just from the freezing weather.

What I need is good food, great drinks, and a hot spring I can soak in over and over again, all while surrounded by nature!

So, after searching for the best bang-for-the-buck place to recover my HP, I ended up booking a stay at a hot spring cottage– Kurasako Onsen Sakura!

By the time you finish reading this, you’ll be saying: “Wait… 8,000 yen per person (on weekdays)?! That’s a steal!“

Escaping the Hustle and Bustle

Nestled deep in the mountains, Kurasako Onsen Sakura Cottages & Auto Campground is where I landed.

At one point, I seriously wondered, “Am I even on the right road?”

But as long as you follow Route 317 toward Ogi Onsen, you’ll eventually spot the sign.

After conquering a steep climb (seriously, it’s no joke)…

…I was greeted by a row of wooden cottages!

First stop: the management office for check-in.

The shop at reception was stocked with camping essentials like firewood, instant noodles, snacks, and alcohol.

Oh, and they even have draft beer on tap!

Stunning Views

Curious about the campsite, I took a quick look around. And what do I see? The majestic Kuju Mountain Range stretching out in front of me!

The campground is divided into two sections, the Aso Site and the Kuju Site.

Offers a panoramic view of the outer rim of the Aso caldera and, if you’re lucky, you might even catch the iconic “unkai” (literally “sea of clouds”).

And the best part? There are on-site hot springs! A dream come true for campers!

Wait, This Cottage Has EVERYTHING?!

I stayed at the “Rindō” cottage this time.

I was able to park my car next to the cottage.

The spacious wooden deck lets you fire up the grill (BBQ and hot pot sets available for rent!).

As for the interior…

It’s huge!!

It’s about 16 square meters in total.

There is a kotatsu, a sofa, and a TV!

In addition, there are air conditioners, gas heaters, and other heating equipment!

Climbing up the stairs,

there’s a loft with a snug attic-like vibe—perfect for sleeping!

The kitchen is spacious and is fully equipped with cooking utensils and tableware.

You can also use the microwave, toaster, and rice cooker.

And look at how big this refrigerator is!

Perfect for stashing all the horse sashimi, beer, chuhai, and sake I bought. With that, time for a hot spring bath!

The Ultimate Open-Air Bath (a.k.a. Healing Spring)

Heading past the kitchen, I found the changing room. And behind the door was…

THE HEALING SPRING!!!

Oh, sorry, I mean… the open-air bath.

It’s twice—no, three times—bigger than I expected!

A luxurious rock bath so amazing that I literally forgot I was stark naked for a moment.

And yeah… I got way too excited and started swimming in it.

This isn’t just any bath—it’s a 100% natural, free-flowing hot spring.

The quality of the spring water is excellent, and you can enjoy such a wonderful hot spring as much as you want….

To have a bath like this available anytime is just… 

INSANE.

Shower, shampoo, body soap, and towels are also provided.

After fully recharging my HP, it was time for the ultimate nightcap.

Time for the long-awaited evening drinking!

I savored the horse sashimi & drinks that I had bought and chilled.

I was pleasantly buzzed and somehow fell asleep. I woke up around 1:00 am.

As soon as I woke up, I went straight to the open-air hot spring without even a moment to think.

Ahhh, this is the life. It’s like being reborn!

Being able to slip into a hot spring anytime, with no one watching is what makes private open-air baths unbeatable. 

And of course, I made sure to enjoy a morning soak before checking out. 

Now fully restored, my HP was back to max!

Final Thoughts

With a campsite, cottages, and even a sauna (paid option), Kurasako Onsen Sakura is perfect for everyone, from outdoor beginners to seasoned adventurers. 

Honestly… 

I almost don’t want to share this place. 

It’s THAT good.