What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 3:00pm, and check-out is at 11:00am.
Can I get there by train?
Take the JR Hohi Line and the Minami Aso Railway from Kumamoto Station to the terminus, Takamori Station, then a pre-booked sightseeing taxi. That said, in Minamiaso Village, where Morigonta is located, car travel is the norm, so we recommend a rental car. It's about 40 minutes from Kumamoto Airport, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Kumamoto Station, and about 10 minutes from Takamori Station.
Is there a supermarket nearby?
There are three large supermarkets and one large drugstore within a 10-minute drive, plus 24-hour convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) about 7–10 minutes away.
Is it enjoyable in summer and winter too?
Minamiaso sits at an elevation of 600 metres, so summers are a comfortable 7–10 degrees cooler than in the city. Winters bring clear air, a sky full of stars, and a forest dressed in snow.
Can I stay with a pet?
Unfortunately, pets are not permitted at Morigonta itself. You're welcome to stay with your dog at our sister property, Gontaya, in Takamori, which also has a large dog run.
Do I need to buy drinking water?
Minamiaso sits within the Mount Aso caldera, one of Kyushu's finest water sources, and is home to the Shirakawa Springs, ranked among Japan's 100 best waters. Morigonta filters this water further and provides it through a water pot for safe drinking water.
What sightseeing spots are nearby?
Kurokawa Onsen, one of Japan's most popular hot spring towns, is about an hour by car. Minamiaso, in the northeast of Kumamoto Prefecture near the Oita and Miyazaki borders, is also a convenient base for the historic sites of Bungo-Taketa and Takachiho Gorge, said to be the birthplace of Japanese mythology. Several prestigious golf courses are nearby as well.
Are there bears in the deep forest?
No. Japan's Ministry of the Environment declared bears extinct in Kyushu in 2012, with the last confirmed capture dating back to 1941. In the rich nature of Aso you may still see monkeys, deer, wild boar, migratory birds, and diverse insects, including the near-threatened great purple emperor, Japan's national butterfly.
Is smoking or partying allowed?
The entire property is non-smoking. We trust all guests to enjoy gatherings with consideration for our quiet surroundings.
What amenities do you provide?
We keep shampoo, conditioner, body soap, bar soap, disposable toothbrushes, body wash cloths, razors, lotion, moisturizer, cotton pads, interdental brushes, cotton swabs, a hairbrush, an assortment of bath salts, and disposable slippers on hand.
Do I need to bring my own seasonings?
For hygiene reasons, Morigonta only provides salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Please pick up items like barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mayonnaise, wasabi, mustard, salad dressing, and miso at a supermarket before you arrive. Within a 10-minute drive there's Frain Takamori, Rocky Superstore Takamori, and DiREX Takamori.
