Hotel berhampiran Togami Shrine, Kirishima

We decided to add on one night in Kagoshima prior to embarking on our second Yakushima trip. We did this specifically to try out Myoken Ishiharaso - while the ryokan is a relative unknown in foreign circles, the its prominence among Japanese folks as one of the top onsen and culinary ryokans prompted to extend our trip to try it out. We're definitely glad we did! First, the location - even though it's a mere 15 minutes drive from Kagoshima Airport, we felt like we were a world away; the ryokan is on the outskirts of Kirishima National Park, and is situated along the banks of the pretty and quaint Amori River. It's definitely a place you can easily visit from Tokyo or Osaka given its proximity to the airport, and feel like you're in an off-the-beaten-path destination. On the other hand, it's quite a ways away from Kagoshima City proper... if you want to see the sights (Sakurajima, Sengan-en, etc.) then you definitely should plan for a long day or spend two nights in the area. Note that check-in at Ishiharaso is 2PM, and you'll want to get there not much later than that, if you intend to enjoy everything that the ryokan has to offer. We stayed in a Suite in the” Ishikura” annex building called ”Kirara.” It's generously proportioned (85 square meters) and features a separate bedroom/living room/tatami room, and an open-air outdoor Onsen (natural hot springs) bath on the room's balcony. The added benefit of staying in an Ishikura room (and a handful of the top suites in the main building) is the fact that you can elect to have meals in your own room. We chose Kirara due to preferring a more comfortable (to us), Western-style accommodation - Kirara's bedroom has two double beds, and the living room is furnished with real sofas. Please note that in-room meals are served in the Tatami room. We really enjoyed the variety of Onsens that are available at Ishiharaso. The in-room open-air Onsen was awesome. It's different from many others in that it's full of Iron, and you can really smell it. Not a super pleasant aroma, but it's natural, and it's not overpowering in its aroma. What was impressive is the fact that it's not only is it of the ”kakenagashi” (24/7 constant free-flowing) variety, but the volume and force is unlike any other Onsen we've experienced. We could tell that they are close to the source, and there is an abundance of the hot springs water that Ishiharaso taps into. We also tried out several of the Onsens on the property, and they were all interesting in their own unique way. There is a pretty pathway along the river that leads guests to the main ”Daiyokujo” (segregated communal bath) that is large and indoors in a separate building that also contains a lounge/cafe. In addition, there are several outdoor Onsens scattered througout the river banks, including a footbath, a mixed-gender bath, and two private rental baths for couples/families/friends. Ishiharaso rents out bathing suits for women, which is (probably!) needed for the mixed-g

We stayed 3 nights in a lovely room with our own private onsen tub in the balcony. A sakura tree was still in bloom right outside so we woke up to a really pretty sight every morning. The room was well decorated and very spacious and there was a toilet, fridge and washbasin, but no in-room shower. We had an outdoor shower which was by the tub which was fine, as it wasn't too cold when we were there. The dinners and breakfast that came with the package were excellent and sumptuous. The riverside onsen was really lovely - you will need to make a booking as it's a private area with 2 pools, overlooking the river that runs right next to it. Take note that it's downhill so there is a bit of a walk to and from the riverside onsen. The hotel is not too far from the Kagoshima airport but about an hour and a half away from the city. Several places of interest are nearby and just a short drive away, including the Kirishima shrine, open air art museum and there's also a waterfall about 5 minutes away. Service staff were friendly and helpful, even though they didn't speak much English.

まず初めに綺麗な夕陽を見れたことに感謝。 そして色々なホテルでそれぞれ良いディナーをいただきましたがこちらのアリア　セレーナさんのコース料理は程よい量、程よい温度、当然のように美味しくて例えると『すべてがからだに優しいコース料理』でした。 ほんとに気取らずリラックスして美味しくて良かったです。 遠藤料理長様スタッフの皆様ありがとうございました。 お洒落なホテルでドッグランエリアもあり温泉もとてもいいホテルでした。 次回も利用してみたいと思います。

高齢な父を伴って宿泊しました。スタッフさんが多いようには思いませんでしたが、荷物は部屋入れしてくださり、助かりました。部屋は、ツインベッドに10畳以上の和室に板の間付きで十分に広かったです。水回りの古さは否めませんが、飲料水用の蛇口もついていました。夕食はレストランで飲み放題付で､一通りのメニューがあり。レストランも天井が高くて、シックでゆったり。焼酎が壁に並べられたインテリアも素敵で、写真を撮る人が多かったです。食事内容も丁寧な説明とともにサーブしていただきました。特に良かったのは、山間部の環境ながら大浴場から桜島が眺められたこと。鹿児島に来たな～と、再実感できました。お湯も柔らかでいい温泉でしたよ。一つ注文できるなら、冬期間はお部屋に柑橘類とかのサービスがあってもいいのではと思いました。

This hotel is situated on top of a hill. We were warmly greeted with help to move the luggage . Check in was fast and efficient . The room came with twin hard beds that we slept on so soundly . Room was big , wifi adequate. There was an attached bathroom though the bathtub was quite deep in . The highlight of the stay was the private onsen situated in the middle of the forest . What an amazing experience . We could not get the day slots so we were given the night slots at 730 pm . Do book early . The management will liase with you via email to book the onsens . Dinner was kaiseiki - lovely food with hotpot for vegetables . Breakfast was Japanese adequate . Overall a wonderful stay .

Good value, staff is helpful, there’s a small area to walk up (10 mins) to see some really tall cedar trees. There are 5-6 types of onsen (iron, salt, sulphur) onsen with outdoor onsen to try. There are men and women mixed onsen where at certain period of time, only women is allowed in that area. Food is served individually on the table (not buffet) with local delicacies. As I need to take a bus the next day, they will stop you off at the bus station which is about 10 mins walk from the hotel

Great staff service, location was great and the price was even greater. Had a good time in Kagoshima with this accomodation, and would highly recommend it for other budget travelers. Oh and the view was great!

The hotel itself felt to be a little too rich and classy than what I’m normally used to (not a bad thing). I didn’t give the full 5 for location mainly since the hotel sits on top of a hill within the city, walking is kinda out of question unless your up for winding incline up and down the hill. There are included transportations though which is nice and the trade off being the gorgeous views of the city and volcano (sakurajima) that sits across the water. There are also included restaurants, stores, bath, lounges, and even a convenience store built into the hotel too which was nice.

The Sherton Hotel in Kagoshima was an absolute gem of a hotel! This is our first visit to Japan, and we are admittedly nervous about the language barrier and cultural change from the US. From the moment we checked in, the staff has bent over backwards to make sure we are comfortable and have done a fantastic job to make this stay completely comfortable and enjoyable. The location is perfect right at the center of downtown Kagoshima, and the rooms, restaurants, and common spaces have more in common with a Four Seasons than with what is standard Sheraton in the US. We were not able to take advantage of the spa, but the Onsen (Hot Springs Sauna) was so relaxing and rejuvenating — especially after 26 hours of flights to get here! HIGHLY recommended. Thank you to the staff that has helped make our 4 days in Kagoshima a memorable experience! Now off to Hiroshima!

とても綺麗でベッドも広く快適でした。 冷蔵庫も小さくて心配しましたが、スイッチをつけるときちんと冷え、熱中症予防の保冷剤も凍らすことができました。 朝ごはんはパンとオレンジジュースとコーヒーですが、トースターもあり美味しくいただきました。