Ryokan Omuraya

Ryokan Omuraya is a historic hot-spring inn founded in 1830 (Tenpo 1), during the era when domain reforms began. In those days it was used as a wakihonjin (auxiliary honjin lodging) by lords traveling to Nagasaki and other domains. Old documents also mention the inn; notably, it appears in writings by Tadataka Ino, who created Japan’s famous maps, during his travels. The inn was also a regular stay for renowned figures such as calligrapher Gochiku Nakabayashi and poet Mokichi Saito. Omuraya’s pride is the Ureshino Onsen ‘beautiful skin’ water: abundant, clear hot spring water enjoyed in a spacious, open atmosphere. The spring type is sodium bicarbonate/chloride, giving a thick, silky feel—often described like bathing in beauty serum. Access: by public transportation, take the JR bus from JR Sasebo Line “Takeo-Onsen Station” to Ureshino Onsen (about 25 minutes), get off at “Ureshino Onsen Bus Center,” then walk about 10 minutes. Direct buses run from Fukuoka and Nagasaki airports to the bus center; shared taxis are available from Saga Airport. By car, it is about 10 minutes from Ureshino IC. Another option: take the “Kyushu-go” highway bus from Fukuoka Airport International Terminal to Ureshino Inter, then walk about 15 minutes or take a taxi about 5 minutes.