What kind of ryokan is Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure Ryokan?
In late August, when the heat wave continued, my husband and I visited Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture, a place we had always wanted to visit. We stayed at this ryokan on the first day and at Ryokan Shinsen on the second day.
To get straight to the point, this ryokan impressed us more than we expected. The food, facilities, rooms, service, etc. were all perfect, but the hospitality of the staff was especially wonderful. We felt true hospitality. For those of us who live in Tokyo, Takachiho is very inconveniently located, but we sincerely hope to visit again someday to stay at this ryokan.
We boarded the “Express Takachiho” operated by Sanko Bus at 9:11 a.m. from the number 7 bus stop in front of JR Kumamoto Station, and got off at Takachiho Bus Center. The fare is JPY2,700 for adults, and the trip takes 3 hours. Reservations for this bus are basically required in advance. Refer to the info.
When we arrived at Takachiho Bus Center, it was just about lunch time, so we decided to have lunch at a tonkotsu ramen restaurant near the bus stop. After lunch, we called the ryokan staff and requested a pick-up service from the bus stop at the Takachiho Bus Center. The ryokan was tucked away in a rural residential area a short distance from the main street. We got out of the pick-up car at the parking lot in front of the entrance to the inn, where a staff member greeted us and carried our luggage. We walked along the beautiful green pathway from the entrance of the ryokan to the main building to check in, listening to the chirping of cicadas. Emotional lanterns were placed along the pathway. The grounds were dotted with villas of Japanese architecture. All eight guest rooms were in a separate structure consisting of independent wings, making them completely private.
We entered the main building and proceeded to a small reception counter to check in. The small lobby was furnished in a Japanese yet modern style with a fireplace, sunken hearth table, and traditional crafts. Check-in was at 3:00PM, but we arrived at the ryokan at about 2:00PM. Basically, you can only enter a room from 3:00PM, but luckily, the room we were going to stay in was ready at that time, so we were able to be shown to it right after check-in. If you come by bus from Kumamoto Station or Kumamoto Airport, you will arrive at the ryokan earlier than the check-in time, so you may want to leave your luggage at the reception and take a walk around Takachiho Shrine. Takachiho Shrine is a 10-minute walk from the ryokan.
The ryokan consisted of a main building and four separate villas, each with a path leading to an original garden with seasonal flowers and trees. Our room was just outside the main building. We walked to our room, listening to the cheerful chirping of cicadas. We opened a dark brown wooden sliding door and entered the entranceway, where we could smell the aroma of wood. After we took off our shoes at the spacious entrance, we entered the room and found a bathroom in front of us. To the right was a Japanese-style living room with tatami mats, a rattan sofa, and a wooden table. In the winter season, a kotatsu seems to be prepared on this table. All the furniture was made of warm oak. Next to the Japanese-style living room was a room with two Simmons beds. In the bathroom, there was a bathtub made of wood and stone. Although not a hot spring, the bathtub was filled with holy water from a waterfall in Takachiho Gorge. In addition, there were two deck chairs on the outside terrace and an outdoor rock bath. When we entered the room, the indoor and outdoor baths were already filled with nice hot water. All rooms have their own indoor baths, but only this room and the room called Yamabuki have outdoor baths. The size of our room was just right for two people. The interior design was modern with an awareness of Takachiho culture and good old Japanese traditions, and modern facilities were installed for convenience and comfort.
We decided to relax and soak in the indoor and outdoor baths in our room. It was a hot summer day, but it felt cooler than Tokyo. It was a special experience to take a bath while feeling the divine breeze of Takachiho. Unfortunately, thay were not a hot spring. Then we changed into the samue outfits that had been prepared in the room, took out a beer from the mini-bar, and sat on the deck chairs on the terrace to quench our thirst. The mini-bar contained pay-per-use beer, shochu, Coca-Cola, peach juice, and tea. We could also order Miyazaki wine, shochu, and local sake from room service.
We then headed to a restaurant in the main building for dinner. We had planned to watch Takachiho Yokagura at Takachiho Shrine at 8:00 p.m., so we had dinner between 5:45 and 7:00 p.m. When we arrived at the restaurant, the staff showed us to a private dining room. Although the space was Japanese, the Scandinavian lighting created a sophisticated adult ambience. Dinner was mountain village cuisine using local ingredients, and we enjoyed the ingenuity and uniqueness of all the dishes. Also, the portions were large. In particular, the Takachiho beef steak, cheese and sweet potato gratin in a bamboo tube, and beef stew in a pie were very impressive. For an additional JPY1,100 per person, we enjoyed a variety of drinks, including all-you-can-drink sake, shochu, wine, local beer, and non-alcoholic beer made in Miyazaki Prefecture. We ended up drinking too much at dinner that night. We had the mountain village cuisine that day, but there was also a Takachiho beef sukiyaki course and a shabu-shabu course. The staff offered to bring the final dessert to our room after we returned from the night kagura, so we did.
After dinner, we borrowed cushions and flashlights from the reception desk in the main building and asked the staff to take us to Takachiho Shrine. Although it is only a 10-minute walk, it is recommended to have them take you to and from the shrine because it is pitch-dark in the countryside with few streetlights. Inside the Kaguraden is a large hall with tatami mats, and you sit on the tatami, so bring a chair or cushion. If you sit directly on the tatami mats for an hour, your legs will become numb and you will not be able to stand up for a while. At night, the back approach to Takachiho Shrine was lit, created an ethereal and solemn space. Ticket price for admission to Takachiho Yokagura is JPY1000 per adult. Reservations are required in advance. For more information, click here.
Then when we returned to our room from Takachiho Yokagura, the staff brought us well-chilled warabimochi rice cakes and shiny muscat. The thoughtful hospitality made us happy. We were planning to sit on the deck chairs on the terrace and enjoyed wine and dessert while looking at the night sky, but it was too hot and humid outside, so we decided to have them in the air-conditioned living room.
The next morning, I awoke a little after 6:00 a.m. and decided to enjoy the outdoor bath on the terrace while watching the gradually dawning sky. I noticed that it had rained during the night because there was a drop in the middle of large butterbur leaves planted in the small garden. Since it was after the rain, the air was somewhat cooler than the day before. However, according to the weather forecast, the highest daytime temperature was expected to be 36 degrees. As the sun rose, the cheerful chirping of cicadas came out of nowhere.
We then headed to the restaurant in the main building around 7:30 a.m. We were served in the same private dining room where we had dinner. A basket made of bamboo was placed on the table, and when the lid was opened, there were eight side dishes. I was particularly impressed with the eggs from Takachiho, which had a very rich taste. Then, after breakfast, we checked out before 9:30 a.m and took a cab to Takachiho Gorge. The ryokan was so cozy that we wanted to stay in the room until 11:00 a.m., the check-out time, but we left the ryokan with a sense of regret because we had booked a boat ride at Takachiho Gorge at 10:00 a.m.
If I dare to raise a drawback, this ryokan does not accept children under the age of 12, making it unsuitable for families with young children. It is also a little disappointing that the wonderful outdoor bath on the terrace of our room was not a hot spring, but we stayed knowing that. Next time I would like to visit in the best season, spring or fall.
Finally, if you want to enjoy sightseeing in Takachiho, do not forget to make reservations for buses to Takachiho Bus Center, Takachiho Gorge boats, and Takachiho Yokagura before visiting Takachiho Gorge. Summer was not the best season we visited, but it was a weekend and there was a long queue at the boat dock. You can enjoy hiking and walking around Takachiho Gorge, but the spectacular view from the boat was just as stunning. Click here to book a boat.
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TOP3 Best Hotels and Ryokans in Miyazaki, Kyushu
Is the location easy to access?
Since Takachiho Gorge is inconveniently located, renting a car is the most convenient way to visit, but if you prefer to visit by public transportation like we did, please refer to the following.
The easiest way to reach Takachiho Gorge is from Aso Kumamoto Airport or Kumamoto Station. Takachiho Gorge is in Miyazaki Prefecture, but the nearest airport is Aso Kumamoto Airport. From Aso Kumamoto Airport, or Kumamoto Station, take the express bus called Takachiho-go and get off at Takachiho Bus Center. The trip takes about 2 hours from Aso Kumamoto Airport and 3 hours from Kumamoto Station. Only one bus a day is available, and advance reservations are required. Refer to the info. From Takachiho Bus Center to Takachiho Gorge is about a 30-minute walk. It takes less than 10 minutes by cab.
There is a free shuttle service from Takachiho Bus Center to the ryokan. We called when we arrived at the bus stop, and they picked us up in about 10 minutes.
If you are visiting from Hakata city in Fukuoka Prefecture, there is a highway bus called “Gokase-go” from Hakata Bus Terminal to Takachiho Bus Center. The trip takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Refer to the info.
If you are visiting Japan for the first time and are taking a bus, you may be unsure of where to get off. When you get on a bus, show a bus driver the Japanese sentence below and he will call out to you when you reach your destination.
Kindly let me know when you reach “Takachiho Bus Center”.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Kyushu?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion, the property would be one of the best. The staff arranges a cake to celebrate an anniversary at an additional charge if you request in advance.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, a green tea set, a coffee machine, bottled water, and samue outfits. There were DHC skincare amenities in our bathroom. Room service is available. Free wifi is available. Complimentary coffee is available near the reception counter. There is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
How about In-house Facilities?
Overall, the ryokan facilities were up-to-date. There are no hot springs or communal baths.
Then after dinner, the staff took us to and from Takachiho Yokagura at Takachiho Shrine. It was a very valuable experience. Those who wish to participate are requested to gather in front of the reception desk at 19:30. Please bring your own cushions and flashlights as the staff will provide them. Ticket price for admission to Takachiho Yokagura is JPY1000 per adult. Reservations are required in advance. For more information, click here.
Then there are two Western-style universal rooms. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the entrance.
How about meals?
If you visit Takachiho Shrine after dinner to watch the Takachiho Yokagura performance, dinner starts at 17:45 or 18:00. Breakfast starts at 7:30 or 8:00. All meals are served in private dining rooms.
Please note that inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have any food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request it on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there wouldn’t be nice restaurants around here. Local papa-mama shops are closing early. You may want to book a room with meals.
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Info about Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure Ryokan
| Style | Modern Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 60,000JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | info@kamigakure.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | Takachiho Hanare no yado Kamigakure’s MAP |
| Access | Free shuttle service from Takachiho Bus Center |
| Address and TEL | 1120-5 Mitai, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1101 Tel +81 982722111 |
| Official Homepage | Takachiho Hanare no yado Kamigakure’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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