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A Handy Guide to Kirishima Onsen: Volcanic Hot Springs in the Mountains

Nestled at the foot of Mount Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kirishima Onsen is the collective name for over a dozen onsen (hot springs) scattered across the area, some of which overlook the famous Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay. It is considered one of Japan’s leading hot spring towns due to the variety of spring types here, with the waters differing in constitution and offering various health benefits. Read on to learn more about this town full of soothing hot springs and lush nature.

 

Overview of Kirishima Onsen

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Four main locales comprise the hot spring town: the eponymous Kirishima Onsen; Kirishima Jingu Onsen, which is tucked away in the woods; the riverside Myoken Anraku Onsen; and Hinatayama Onsen, also along the river and one of Kirishima’s oldest areas.

All locales are dotted with hotels and public bathing facilities, so day trippers and overnight guests alike will have plenty of options to choose from. Maruo Onsen in particular, found in the central part of the Kirishima Onsen locale, boasts many accommodations, ranging from traditional ryokans (Japanese-style inns) to luxurious resort complexes.

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Kirishima, which translates to “island of mist,” is a region often blanketed in steam thanks to the many hot springs in the region. Sulfuric hot springs — said to be beneficial for the skin and blood pressure — are the most common type, but sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and other types of hot springs can also be found in town. One unique bath is the natural mud bath at Sakura Sakura Hot Springs, a resort in Kirishima Jingu where guests can apply mud packs that beautify the face and skin.

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Kirishima Onsen is also deeply embedded in Japanese folklore legends, as one of Japan’s founding deities, Ninigi-no-Mikoto, was believed to have descended into the human realm from Kirishima. Additionally, two famous samurai are said to have visited this town: Ryoma Sakamoto, who took a healing retreat here with his wife in what is said to be Japan’s first honeymoon; and Takamori Saigo, who visited Hinatayama Onsen. Retracing the footsteps of these two samurai is one of the popular things to do for history buffs visiting Kirishima!

How to get to Kirishima Onsen

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By bus, Kirishima Onsen can be reached from Kagoshima Airport in about 40 minutes. The bus route from Kagoshima Airport to the now-closed Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel also stops at other locales collectively considered part of Kirishima Onsen, such as Shioyu, Maruo, and Iodani.

For those visiting by train from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, take the JR Nippo Main Line to Hayato, transfer to the Hisatsu Line, then get off at Kirishima-Onsen Station. This journey will take around two hours one way. Alternatively, those who prefer to visit the Kirishima Jingu Onsen area can get off at Kirishima-Jingu Station, which can be directly reached from Kagoshima-Chuo Station via a Limited Express train in just under 50 minutes. From either Kirishima-Onsen or Kirishima-Jingu Station, the hot springs are accessible via bus or taxi.

If you are based in Tokyo, your gateway to Kirishima Onsen will be Kagoshima Airport. Several airlines, including All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), and Solaseed Air, offer flights from Haneda Airport to Kagoshima, while Jetstar departs from Narita. Regardless of which airport you pick, a flight from Tokyo to Kagoshima will take around two hours.

Getting around Kirishima Onsen

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If you stay overnight at Kirishima Onsen, your accommodation may offer a free shuttle service to and from selected bus stops and/or train stations. While local buses serve Kirishima Onsen, public transport is infrequent. The most convenient way to explore Kirishima Onsen is by rental car, usually available at Kagoshima Airport or near major train stations. For the best deals, be sure to check out Rakuten Travel Rent-a-Car!

Things to see and do at Kirishima Onsen

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In addition to soaking in an onsen, nature exploration is a highly recommended activity for visitors to Kirishima Onsen. After all, this hot spring locale is part of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, known for its majestic volcanic mountains and caldera lakes, and it is especially gorgeous in autumn.

Hiking/trekking

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Hike or trek scenic trails and discover the area’s rich flora and fauna, or simply take a walk in the woods for some relaxing forest therapy. Notable natural wonders in Kirishima include the picturesque Maruo Falls, which also doubles as a hot spring, and Onami Pond, said to be Japan’s highest caldera lake.

Kirishima Jingu

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Those interested in mythology and traditional culture will want to visit the tranquil Kirishima Jingu, where Ninigi-no-Mikoto is enshrined. Marvel at the architecture behind its vermilion-colored exterior and elaborate fixtures; there’s a reason this shrine is nicknamed the Nikko of the West. It’s said to be high in spiritual energy, too.

Kagoshima Shrine

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Smaller but no less sacred and culturally significant is Kagoshima Shrine, said to have been founded by Japan’s legendary first emperor, Jimmu. Its ceiling is covered in over 200 paintings of flowers, making it an impressive work of art.

Kirishima Onsen Market

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Finally, shop for delicious snacks and other souvenirs at Kirishima Onsen Market, located in the town center. Here, you can find food steamed with onsen water, such as eggs, manju buns (traditional Japanese confectionery), and sweet potatoes. This market is also abundant in specialties from Kirishima and the rest of Kagoshima, including Kirishima tea (which is mostly sencha green tea), kurobuta black pork, shochu liquor, black vinegar brewed the traditional way, and more.

Where to stay at Kirishima Onsen

1. Kirishima Hot Spring Village Kirishima Hotel

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While there are plenty of superb accommodations in Kirishima Onsen, hot spring enthusiasts will surely love Kirishima Hot Spring Village Kirishima Hotel for its sheer variety of baths. It boasts a total of over 10 types of baths that make use of water from 14 hot springs, the most famous of which is the mixed-gender standing bath that resembles a large pool and gets deeper the closer you get to the center. Here, guests can cover themselves with bath towels and immerse themselves in hot spring waters up to shoulder level. The hotel is also known for its garden full of Japanese cedar trees over a hundred years old. With roomy Japanese and western-style rooms available, this is the perfect option for a family getaway!

2. Kirishima Kokusai Hotel

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Another hotel with various baths is Kirishima Kokusai Hotel, located close to Kirishima Onsen Market and overlooking Kinko Bay and Sakurajima. The hotel offers sleek western-style and more traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring and wooden sliding doors. Among its 10 baths, a guest favorite is Kiri no Yu, an open-air bath with healing misty-blue waters in the middle of a forest. The hotel offers facial mud packs for those curious to try them!

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