An utterly magnificent ryokan experience. The property features two private onsen baths in addition to two further open-air onsen, offering a serene and deeply immersive atmosphere. The half-board arrangement includes an exceptional, exquisitely prepared multi-course dinner that elevates the stay to a true culinary journey. The hosts are wonderfully charming and attentive, going above and beyond to ensure every guest feels genuinely welcomed and at ease. The location is highly convenient, situated directly along the Aso Bus Loop 1, making it easily accessible. Altogether, this is authentic Japan at its very finest—an unforgettable and truly sensational experience.

the strawberry milkshake was superb!! I wish there was unlimited supply all day long for the strawberry milkshake! i can taste it when a drink is artificial or full of organic homemade quality~ the lady boss is also very friendly & patient and so helpful to help with the guest on their luggage. She is almost like a superwoman! Love their dinner claypot rice too - which now I understand why on reviews people kept talking about their rice - u just have to try it to understand.

An amazing oasis, we are glad we stayed for two nights. Food is amazing and so is the entire staff. A great place for exploring the area and Mt.Aso National Park. The onsen was beautiful.

The staff were very kind and attentive. The food was exquisite. We had a beautiful stay.

“Interesting and surprising find in Aso. Dinner and breakfast was excellent . In room onsen was great and the staff magni”

Interesting Onsen property

Staff are exceptional, food is exqusife, Outdoor onsen is serene

The staff were very welcoming and kind. The meals are an exquisite experience. The ryukan experience itself is wonderful.

“Fabulous”

We had a fabulous stay at Shinwaen for 2 nights. The staff could not have been more welcoming and hospitable. The facilities were well kept and clean. The outdoor onsen were lovely and relaxing, and the cat enclosure was a pleasant surprise. Most of all, the food was tremendous! Strongly recommend any couple who are looking for a more traditional experience to consider staying here. The staff and hotel were lovely!

“Great place and lovely staff”

Amazing staff Well equipped Huge room Food was really good

“The owner, the ryokan and its bath plus the outstanding kaiseki dinner in my room are unforgettable!”

Such a friendly owner. I have arrived earlier than planned, around 5 pm and she asked me if l want to have dinner and even prepared delicious kaiseki courses and breakfast the next day. I have never experienced such a flexibility before! The interior is beautiful and the bath in a stunning setting!

“True to the reviews, this ryokan is a beautiful place to stay, offering fantastic food and a wonderfully traditional exp”

Beautiful traditional ryokan experience.

“A magical stay at Shinwaen”

Shinwaen ryokan is a wonderful getaway that feels remote but is still close to all the amenities Aso has to offer. We stayed in the houses located in the garden area, near to the public onsens but with a small one of our own. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary there and could not have wished for a better stay. The house was amazing, the food was utterly incredible and the staff were about as pleasant and helpful as it’s possible to be.

Beautiful house Very traditional ryokan Great food Great people

“Tattoo-friendly and a great bang for your buck!”

A wonderful place to stay, conveniently in town, however it's impossible to tell once you are inside the ryokan. The room is very comfortable and well maintained. Be aware if you are in the main building you can hear some activity from staff/other guests however only up until about 10pm. The staff were very courteous and welcoming and spoke fluent English. The meals were fantastic and of very high quality! I have stayed in other ryokan in Aso previously but this was by far the best quality (and bang for your buck!). It was my first time using an outdoor onsen, and tattoos are permitted. I was very grateful because many other ryokans forbid tattoos unless they are in private baths. The outdoor area was wonderful, I wish we had stayed an extra night simply to enjoy the other amenities at this ryokan.

Very nice room. Private Onsen is the best.

The dinner / breakfast

“Such a wonderful place we enjoyed staying in (one of the best in our trip)”

I was not fully sure what to expect and I was so happy I chose this lovely place. Magic place within the city that once you go in, you find a wonderful special place. The big wooden door are opened and you enter into the past. all is wood, Japanese style, very well decor and design. staff are amazing! they will do all they can to help, serve and welcome you. The room we had was in the main building, Japanese style, tatami area that was ready for teatime, heated, just perfect. There are public onsens and 2 privet ones. all seems very nice to enjoy them. we did not eat in house this time. We only had one night, and I would Easly be happy to stay more. we loved this wonderful place.

Lovely interiors and gardens and nice range of private / shared onsen. Very warm and comfortable room with views of the mountains around. Friendly and helpful staff, very nice breakfast. Convenient for walking into the town centre for izakayas etc.

“Really great stay at a good price!”

This was a great ryokan at a good price! We really enjoyed our stay here, and the staff was very helpful. We even got welcome beans at check in. We had a big room with tatami mats and futons, and a low table with chairs. The room also had a toilet and washing room, but you had to use the public or private onsen to shower. That was more than fine for us, as we really enjoyed the private onsen. There is no booking system, you can just use it when it is available.

The onsens at the adjacent building were really nice and usually empty so it feels like we had our own private onsens all the time. The kaiseiki dinner is a selection of dishes prepared with local ingredients and is highly recommended.