Aso Plaza Hotel

Aso Plaza Hotel: a base for hiking Aso-Kuju National Park

The Aso Plaza Hotel is a good base for hikes around Aso-Kuju National Park. The building is large and somewhat dated, mid-1980s in style, so it isn't the coziest or most traditional choice. But the rooms are clean and bright with nice views, the onsen facilities are extensive, and the kaiseki-style meals are well worth the price (see Good to know below for what we paid).

Open-air onsen and rooftop rotenburo

One of the nicest things about Japan is unwinding in an open-air onsen after a long hike. We always try to choose accommodation with an open-air bath, and this hotel has two: a rooftop rotenburo on the 7th floor and another at ground level. The rooftop onsen looks out over the peaks of Aso, while the ground-floor one is set in a Japanese garden with mountain views in the distance. Both were quiet during our stay, with few other guests using them at the same time.

Kaiseki dinner

Coming back from a long hike without needing to leave the hotel for dinner makes for an easy evening — you can stay in your yukata and move between the onsen and the dining room.

We opted for half-board, with breakfast and dinner included. Both were served kaiseki style, which we hadn't expected from a hotel rather than a ryokan. The portions were generous and the food was prepared with care. Service was attentive throughout.