It's the first time a gourmet fair like this has been added to the dinner buffet. High-end fish such as hamo (pike conger) and konoshiro (gizzard shad) are landed in large numbers around Minamata, though not many people seem to know it — so the new fair was created to let guests enjoy the bounty of the local sea.
Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake," run by Yunoko Umi to Yuyake Co., Ltd. (Minamata, Kumamoto; Representative Director: Yohei Sasagawa), began a new fair called the "Shiranui Sea Seasonal Fish Tour" on Saturday, July 4, 2026, adding another way to enjoy a summer stay at the inn.
As part of the fair, a corner of the dinner buffet is set aside for seasonal fish and other local catch landed that same day, so guests can taste the bounty of the Shiranui Sea.
Centered on hamo, a beloved taste of summer, the lineup rotates daily among roughly five kinds of seafood, including horse mackerel, cuttlefish, bigeye tuna, and gizzard shad.
What's on offer each day is a gift from the sea. Since the same fish don't appear every day and the lineup shifts with the day's catch, every visit brings the chance to discover a new flavor.
Seasonal Flavors, Delivered Fresh From the Sea Each Day
The Shiranui Sea facing Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake" has long been known as a rich fishing ground, yielding seafood that changes with the seasons.
The inn works with local seafood dealers to source fish landed that same day, delivering it to guests as fresh as possible.
Among them, hamo — a summer delicacy prized as a luxury fish in the Kansai region — is especially notable.
It's also one of the seasonal specialties landed in the Shiranui Sea, and the inn hopes many guests will get the chance to taste it.
The inn's mission is to spark inspiration through the region's natural bounty and connect people through it.
This new fair grew out of that same idea — a wish to share the area's seafood with guests and offer them fresh discoveries and delight.
Alongside the seasonal fish fair, the buffet's regular menu is also available. With all-you-can-drink included, pairing the seafood with a favorite local sake is a great way to enjoy the meal.
The buffet hall also has an ocean view. The inn hopes to warmly welcome guests to this special summer experience, found only at Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake."
Sunsets, Hot Springs, and Seasonal Catch: A Seaside Summer Only Found Here
Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake" is a hot spring inn looking directly out over the Shiranui Sea.
At dusk, the sun sinks slowly into the sea, gently lighting the inn as the sky and water shift color by the minute, coloring every moment of the stay.
At the 2025 Jalan Awards, the inn placed second for "Dinner" and first for "Hospitality and Service" in the Kyushu region's Best Inns to Stay At category (51-to-100-room division).
The dinner buffet now gains a new highlight with the addition of the "Shiranui Sea Seasonal Fish Tour."
Along with dishes that showcase the region's seasonal flavors, guests can enjoy a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included in the all-you-can-drink plan, beautiful evening views, and attentive hospitality for a summer stay unlike any other.
Shiranui Sea Seasonal Fish Tour Overview
- Start date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Location: Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake"
- Served: At the dinner buffet
- Main seafood: Hamo, horse mackerel, cuttlefish, bigeye tuna, eel, conger eel, and more
- Note: The lineup varies depending on the catch and weather conditions.
About the Dinner Buffet
- Hours: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (On busy days, the buffet may run in two sittings: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM)
- Price (day-trip guests only): ¥7,700 (tax included, all-you-can-drink included)
- The all-you-can-drink plan offers a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- The dinner buffet is mainly for overnight guests, but day-trip visitors are also welcome. Day-trip guests can also use the hot spring baths free of charge.
Facility Overview
Facility name: Yunoko Onsen "Umi to Yuyake"
Address: 1213 Osako, Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture
Official website: https://www.umitoyuyake.com/
A beach just a two-minute walk from the inn draws many families from in and outside the prefecture every year.
A kids' room for preschoolers, newly added this year, is stocked with quality wooden toys and more than 100 picture books, giving families a relaxed space to spend time together.
