The Minamiaso property opened Nov. 2, with private hot-spring baths in every room and a restaurant concept built around foraging and the water route from Aso to Kumamoto’s coast.
Aso Retreat HONO by Onko Chishin opened on Nov. 2 in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture, inside the Aso caldera. The 17-room property looks toward the Aso Five Peaks, and every room has a private hot-spring bath. Selected room types also include a sauna and cold bath.
Foraging is central to the concept. The hotel’s edible garden is planted with native vegetation and more than 30 kinds of wild plants; guests can gather seasonal material and take part in experiences that link the garden with the kitchen. The ASATO restaurant frames its menu around the water route from Aso’s springs through rivers to Kumamoto’s sea, and highlights simple techniques such as cutting, grilling and smoking over fire.
The official room page lists six types, from 65-square-metre moderate rooms to a 168-square-metre four-bed suite. A separate 153-square-metre villa suite includes a private sauna and cold bath. The hotel says it is about 30 minutes by car from Kumamoto Airport. The operator’s Nov. 2 announcement confirms that the property has opened, rather than simply announcing a future opening.