Inn features
- Hot spring
Only features verified through published information or reporting are shown.
This article is a research guide based on official information as of 2026-08-16, tourist information for Yatsushiro City, and currently available visit notes. This is not an actual accommodation coverage article. Please check the availability of cats, bathing hours, and meals before making a reservation.
About the photo: it does not show this inn or its resident cats
This illustration does not document the rooms or cats currently in residence.
Illustrative image (not a photograph of Yanagiya Ryokan’s cat or inside the inn)/Photo: Valentin (Pexels)
Yanagiya Ryokan, located in Hinagu Onsen in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a three-story wooden hot spring inn that has a history dating back to the Meiji era. The resident cat “Hina” appears on the official website, and the visit report that can be viewed now records her approaching guests inside the inn.
Meet resident cat Hina inside the inn
Officially introduced as a resident cat, it has been confirmed in recent visit reports that it appears inside the inn such as hallways and approaches people, so it is classified as B “inside the inn / can be interacted with in a dedicated space”.
Since there is no reliable current information regarding cats visiting the guest room, I would not choose A.Do not block the cat’s path when it is resting or moving through the hallways, and do not chase it if it leaves the guest room. Avoid flash and loud noises when taking pictures.
Wooden three-story inn architecture
Yanagiya Ryokan’s appeal is its wooden architecture that gives you a sense of the history of Hinagu Onsen. While you can enjoy the design of the stairs, hallways, and guest rooms that have stood the test of time, they have different requirements from modern large hotels, such as differences in steps, soundproofing, air conditioning, and elevators.
If you have concerns about your legs or back, have heavy luggage, or are staying with small children, ask the inn about your preferred floor and moving around the building before booking. To protect the historic building, do not lean on fittings or chase cats into restricted areas.
Enjoying the hot springs of Hinagu Onsen
Yanagiya Ryokan is also introduced as an inn in Hinagu Onsen in Yatsushiro City’s tourist information. Since you can make the hot springs the main focus of your trip, you can enjoy a unique stay in the area even when the cat is resting.
Check the latest information on bathing hours, the stated properties of the spring water, private use, and day-use bathing. For hygiene, distinguish the areas where cats spend time from the baths and changing rooms: do not invite cats into bathing areas, and do not walk around the inn while wet.
Meal and walk around the hot spring town
Meal contents and provision conditions vary depending on the accommodation plan. Hinagu is also known for its local food culture, such as Chikuwa, and you can enjoy walking through the hot spring town and visiting local shops. Be sure to check whether you are staying with dinner or without meals, as well as the restaurant’s regular holidays and closing time.
You can enjoy the old townscape on foot, but don’t push yourself too hard in the summer heat or rain, and don’t schedule a fixed time to meet the cat. After checking in, it is natural to ask about the accommodation and ask where the chicks often hang out and when it is okay to touch them.
Access and confirmation before booking
The location is 326 Hinaku Nakacho, Yatsushiro City. If you use public transportation, please check the route and bus schedule from Hinagu Onsen Station on Hisatsu Orange Railway. If you are driving, it is best to ask the inn about the parking location and the width of the road in the hot spring town.
If you are allergic to cats, please consult with us about the Hina’s range of activity and whether there is a guest room where cats cannot enter. Since the resident cat’s presence is not a service but a part of daily life, there may be times when you cannot meet him.
Basic information
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Facility name | Yanagiya Ryokan |
| Location | 326 Hinaku Nakacho, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture 869-5135 (local address: 〒869-5135 熊本県八代市日奈久中町326) |
| Cat | resident cat Hina |
| Distance with cats | B — Recent information confirms that cats approach people inside the inn |
| Room visits | unconfirmed with current information |
| Features | Historic three-story wooden building, Hinagu Onsen |
| Phone | 0965-38-0125 |
| Official website | Yanagiya Ryokan |
Location and Google Maps
Yanagiya Ryokan (日奈久温泉 柳屋旅館)
〒869-5135 熊本県八代市日奈久中町326
Summary
Yanagiya Ryokan is an inn where you can enjoy Hinagu Onsen’s historic wooden inn and the presence of resident cat Hina. What’s appealing about this trip is that you can not only interact with cats, but also enjoy architecture, hot springs, and walking around hot spring towns.
Guest-room visits are unconfirmed, and whether or not you can meet the cat depends on Hina’s health and mood. Be sure to understand the facilities and conditions of the historic building, and try to avoid putting stress on the cat or the building during your stay.
Related articles
- List of cat accommodations in Kumamoto Prefecture
- Points to consider when choosing a cat inn with a hot spring
- How to think when you can’t meet a cat
