The 9 Onsens You Should Visit in Kirishima
The seventh article in our selection series is “The 9 Onsens You Should Visit in Kirishima.” Kirishima is a city located in Kagoshima prefecture where the mountains are popular for hiking. There are plenty of hot springs in this region, and what is special in Kirishima is there are various types of hot springs as well. Traveling around Kirishima will give you a great chance to experience different types of hot springs easily!
1. Myoken Onsen "Tajima Honkan"
The Myoken Onsen area is just 15 min bus ride from the Kagoshima airport, and Tajima Honkan is the oldest onsen in this area. It has about 170 years of history. Tajima Honkan still preserves the traditional bathrooms. They are not gorgeous or modern, but are perfect places if you like a nostalgic charm of Japan. The half open-air bath is located along with the river, so you can enjoy the sound of creek while soaking. Also, Tajima Honkan runs a hotel and restaurant as well, staying here before the departure from the airport is a good option.
INFORMATION
Myoken Onsen "Tajima Honkan"
- Address: 4236, Makizonochō Shukukubota, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 099-577-2205
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 20:30
- Price:
JPY 250 for Bath for Neuralgia
JPY 250 for Bath for Stomach Flu / Surface Wounds
2. Kirishima Jingu Onsen "Kokumin Syukusya Miyamaso"
Do you like “Yu no hana”? Yu no hana is the name of deposited minerals contained in hot spring swaying like flower petals in the bath. Miyamaso is famous for its beautiful yu no hana. Some frequent bathers scoop yu no hana and put it on the body. Soaking in the cloudy hot spring while enjoying the nature of Kirishima mountains is de-stressing!
INFORMATION
Kokumin Syukusya Miyamaso
- Address: 2608-ホ Kirishimataguchi, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 0995-57-0217
- Opening Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
- Closing Days: Not specified
- Price: JPY 540
3. Myoken Onsen "Kiraku Onsen"
Some onsen fans select Kiraku Onsen as the best hot spring in the Myoken area, and, actually, this onsen is popular among onsen fans throughout Japan. The hot spring contains a large amount of iron, so just a short soak can warm the body up thoroughly. There is a big open-air bath in which I think 20 people can soak at a time, even there, the water is not recycled and used as is thanks to the powerful hot spring source. Also, the owner is really kind and outgoing, please have a talk with him if you visit Kiraku Onsen.
INFORMATION
Myoken Onsen "Kiraku Onsen"
- Address: 4385 Hayatochō Kareigawa, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 0995-77-2337
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 - 19:00
- Price: JPY 500
4. Shinyu Onsen "Kokumin Syukusya Shinmoéso"
Even among cloudy hot spring in Kirishima, Shinmoéso is the whitest one as far as I’ve ever seen. This hot spring contains a large amount of sulphur, which makes the water unusually white. Bathing at this onsen can get rid of dead skin cells and make the skin so smooth. Also, Shinmoéso is located at the middle of the mountain, so you can see beautiful starry sky from the open-air bath when the weather is good.
INFORMATION
Shinyu Onsen "Kokumin Syukusya Shinmoéso"
- Address: 3968, Makizonochō Takachiho, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 099-578-2255
- Opening Hours: 08:00 - 20:00 (last entry at 19:00)
- Closing Days: Every 4th Tuesday (Changes to the following day if it falls on a holiday)
- Price: JPY 500
5. Tsumagari Onsen
When you visit Tsumagari Onsen for the first time, you may think “Is there an onsen in such a location?” on the way to the destination. Don’t worry, there is! Tsumagari Onsen is located at the middle of the rice paddy field. This onsen has been maintained by the locals, and is really rustic; however, the quality is outstanding. If you want to visit a local onsen with the nostalgic charm, Tsumagari Onsen will satisfy your interest.
INFORMATION
Tsumagari Onsen
- Address: 1143 Hayatochō Matsunaga, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: None
- Opening Hours: 12:00 - 21:00 (June to August), 12:00 - 20:00 (September to May)
- Closing Days: Every 1st, 15th
- Price: JPY 200
6. Myoken Onsen "Rakuenso"
Rakuenso has been said that bathing at its hot spring can get rid of fatigue and is very refreshing. Actually, in the past, so many visitors came to Rakuanso to stay for the medicinal bathing. Most of the facilities in Rakuenso, including the main building, has been built by the owner himself. Furthermore, the hot spring was dug by his hand. That’s amazing! The onsen is a sodium bicarbonate saline spring which is typical in the Myoken area.
INFORMATION
Myoken Onsen "Rakuenso"
- Address: 4363 Hayatochō Kareigawa, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 0995-77-2121
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 - 19:00
- Price: JPY 200
7. Fukujyu Onsen
The hot spring source of Fukujyu Onsen was drilled 30 years ago according to the word of the local prophet. It is said that bathing at this hot spring treats diabetes, and some visitors come from a long distance. The yellow hot spring water is a little bit hot but quite soothing. Also, the price is only 100 yen, that’s a great value!
INFORMATION
Fukujyu Onsen
- Address: 2555-99 Makizonochō Santaidō, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 0995-76-2229
- Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 - 20:30
- Price: JPY 100
8. Kirishima Yunotani Sanso
If you like sulphur hot spring, Kirishima Yunotani Sanso is highly recommended. Yunotani Sanso offers three types of bathes, the one at the far side is a hot sulphur spring, the one at the near side is a tepid carbon dioxide spring, and the one at the centre is a mixed whose temperature is moderate. You can take any of these bathes as you like. Also, the bathroom is full wood-made, which provides a relaxing atmosphere.
INFORMATION
Kirishima Yunotani Sanso
- Address: 4970 Makizono-chō Takachiho, Kirishima, Kagoshima
- Tel: 099-578-2853
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 - 15:00 (last entry at 14:00, and exclusive for hotel guests from 16:00)
- Closing Days: Not specified
- Price: JPY 500
9. Kurinodake Onsen "Nansyukan"
Precisely it’s not located in Kirishima, but I would like to recommend Nansyukan, where Takamori Saigo stayed in the past, if you are visiting Kirishima. Nansyukan offers three types of baths; normal bath, steam bath, and mud bath. Each of them has an outstanding quality. I’m sure you will be satisfied. Also, Nansyukan is famous for the steamed chicken, please try it when you visit this onsen.
INFORMATION
Kurinodake Onsen "Nansyukan"
- Address: 6357 Koba, Yūsui-chō, Aira-gun, Kagoshima
- Tel: 099-574-3511
- Opening Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
- Closing Days: Not specified
- Price:
JPY 300 for one bath
JPY 550 for two baths
JPY 700 for all three baths
Others
Although I selected 9 onsens in Kirishima, there are a lot more good onsens. Click the following button to see others.
