What kind of luxury onsen ryokan is Myoken Ishiharaso?
In early summer of May, when the newly sprouting trees were lush and dazzling, we visited Kagoshima Prefecture with our two small children. On the first day, we stayed at this onsen ryokan, which we had always wanted to stay at. To get straight to the point, we had heard from our friends that it was the best ryokan in Kyushu, and we were impressed to find that it was indeed true to its reputation. It was a 5-star ryokan where we could return home after our trip and be left with a lingering feeling of ” wish we could go back again…”.
We took a plane from Haneda Airport around 12:00 pm and arrived at Kagoshima Airport around 1:30 pm. From there we took a cab and arrived at the ryokan in about 15 minutes. Kagoshima Prefecture is a long way from Tokyo, but the ryokan was located 15 minutes by cab from the airport, making it more convenient than we expected.
As we got off the cab in front of the main building, which was next to a warehouse made of traditional stone, we were greeted by the staff. Entering through the automatic glass doors marked “Ishiharaso,” we found ourselves in a sophisticated and wonderful furnished lobby. To the left was a reception counter, and to the right was a store with a tasteful array of merchandise. Then, further in, there were several hexagonal tables and chairs where we sat to check in. After a while, the staff offered us sweet and savory baked potatoes and tea for my husband and I, and orange juice for the kids. Outside the window, we could see kayabuki roofed buildings of Gajoen, which stood quietly on the opposite bank of the river. We thought that perhaps, instead of staying at Gajoen, we might be able to enjoy a wonderful and nostalgic view of the original Japanese landscape by looking at Gajoen from here.
This ryokan has a main building and an Ishikura building, a traditional storehouse that was moved here and built. Check-in starts at 3:00 p.m. for the main building and 2:00 p.m. for the Ishikura building. There are four rooms with private onsens out of a total of 18 rooms. This time, we wanted to enjoy onsens as much as possible, so we booked a room called Sarara with a private onsen in the Ishikura building,
After a short while, a staff member showed us to our room. As we entered the room, we could smell the fragrance of the tea incense burner. then if we listened carefully, we could hear the sound of the river flowing by. The spacious living room had large ceiling-to-floor windows with a view of the dynamic stream and traditional houses with thatched roofs. It also had beautifully grained wood floors and sophisticated, cozy, high-end furniture, a fireplace made of local stone, and in the corner of the living room, a stand light made of beautiful Japanese paper. The bedroom was furnished with twin beds, and the beamed ceiling had a small skylight that let in soft light. Then, next to the living room, there was a spacious bathroom with a shower stall and a private outdoor hot spring bath. The hot springs in the bathtub were amazingly designed so that all the hot water was changed every hour. So no matter when we enjoyed our private hot spring bath, the hot spring water was always very fresh.
We decided to take a can beer out of the mini-bar for a while, drink it, and enjoy the great view from here. The kids enjoyed apple juice and local snacks. By the way, the minibar in the room is free of charge. There were bottles of Kirishima tea, apple juice, tomato juice, Asahi beer, Kirin beer, and water.
We then changed into our yukatas and, with baskets provided in our room, headed for outdoor onsen baths on the property. The ryokan had communal baths, outdoor baths, a mixed bathing onsen, and a footbath, all within the grounds of the ryokan’s richly landscaped grounds, which covered an area of 33,000 square meters, allowing us to hot spring-hopping in our yukatas. It was the perfect setting for a stroll, admiring the fresh greenery, which was even more vivid and beautiful in the sunlight. We left the Ishikura building, passed through a magnificent gate, walked along a long covered walkway, and followed a mountain path to the most remote communal outdoor onsen bath on the property, called Mukunoki. This is a mixed onsen bath, so we needed to put on bathing suits borrowed at the reception desk and entered. As we soaked in the outdoor bath, we were overwhelmed by the dynamic river flowing vigorously right in front of us. After a while, we felt as if we had become one with nature. The children were very excited.
Then, there were two other private outdoor onsen baths called Naminoyu and Mitsumimoyu. Both required booking. The former was free for 30 minutes, while the latter cost JPY1,000 for 30 minutes The two private baths were connected to a lounge in the center of the grounds. We used the former private bath. The view of the jade-colored river from here was also amazing. There was more water in the river than usual, probably due to the rain the day before, and the current was faster than usual.
After this, we were thirsty and decided to sit in the lounge, sipping lemon water and apple tea while admiring the beautiful fresh greenery. The apple tea, especially the cinnamon-infused apple tea, tasted like apple pie. The children seemed to enjoy drinking it. The lounge was also tastefully decorated with stunning interiors and high-end furniture. The view of the lush forest from the lounge was breathtaking, with its bright green color in the crisp early summer light.
After leaving the lounge, a bottle of Kagoshima shochu and hot water in an iron kettle were available in the walkway on the way back to the main building. As we sipped the hot water from the shochu, we could smell the sweet and burning aroma of mashomaro being roasted by the children in the fireplace. The sun was gradually setting and it was getting dark and chilly. When we noticed, the lanterns on the long walkway started to light up. The crackling of the wood burning in the fireplace and the warm air felt comfortable.
We returned to our room and a short time later it was time for dinner, and just before 6:00 p.m. we headed to a dining area in the ishikura building. We were shown to a spacious private room. This dining area, too, was a space created with refined and outstanding interior design and furniture, which impressed us the moment we stepped into the room.
Dinner was Kaiseki cuisine. The facilities, room, and onsens exceeded our expectations, but the dinner was also far beyond our expectations. Not only were the ingredients excellent, but each dish was carefully prepared with delicate flavors, presentation, utensils, and cooking methods. In particular, the charcoal-grilled Kagoshima wagyu beef was exquisite. Also, when we ordered sake, it came in a bamboo tube. The sake in the bamboo tube had the scent of bamboo. We were thrilled by such a chic presentation. We had also pre-ordered a meal for the children. Shrimp and eggplant tempura, simmered pumpkin, steamed rice in a bowl, egg rolls, and apple ice cream were served to the children.
After dinner, we walked down the long, lantern-lit walkway to the communal onsens next to the lounge, listening to the sound of the river flowing by. Everywhere on the grounds, we could hear the sound of the river flowing and were surrounded by a charming country ambience. The communal baths were decorated with murals created by a famous Kagoshima-based sculptor. It was a unique work depicting large deer, people, plants, and trees.
The next morning, we woke up before 7:00 a.m. and decided to enjoy the private onsen in our room with the kids. With the aroma of the onsen in the air, listening to the birds chirping and the sound of the river flowing, soaking in the onsen and gazing out at the forest trees, we felt exhilarated, completely free from the stress and hustle and bustle of daily life in the city.
After enjoying the private onsen, we went to the dining room in the Ishikura building for breakfast, and the staff showed us to a room with a view of the river from the window. Breakfast was a selection of carefully prepared Japanese dishes. The tofu was particularly impressive. Smooth to the touch, with an exquisite miso flavor and rich soybean sweetness, the freshly made tofu was surprisingly delicious.
After breakfast, we returned to our rooms and enjoyed our private onsen again. Before checking out, we went to the footbath near the main building and felt the gentle breeze blowing through the trees and bringing the scent of fresh greenery, while admiring the dynamic river flow from the footbath and the picturesque kayabuki roof buildings of Gajoen. We then left the ryokan with a sense of regret before 11:00 am.
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Is the location easy to access?
A 15-minute cab ride from Kagoshima Airport costs approximately JPY2,000. There is no free shuttle bus service.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Kyushu?
If you are looking for a good place for special occasions, 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.
Rooms I would recommend?
This time we were lucky enough to book the room with the private onsen, but it is very popular and difficult to book. Especially in the spring and fall seasons. Based on my experience staying at the ryokan, I think a room without a private onsen would be fine, since there are two private family onsens on the grounds.
Also, there are two types of rooms in the main building, river side and mountain side, but the mountain side is on the road side, so the view is just of the road. I would recommend the river side rooms.
Also, for solo travelers, only rooms on the mountain side can be booked.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, bathrobes, pajamas, yukatas a green tea set, a coffee machine, a complimentary mini-bar including beer. There were BIODROGA skincare amenities in our bathroom. Room service was not available. A DVD player was available for borrowing. Free wifi was available, but sometimes slow. There is no convenience store nearby. You may want to buy your necessities before coming here.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are wonderful outdoor onsens scattered along the river. You can experience hot spring-hopping on the grounds, so we would recommend checking in early.
*If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Then there is a nice lounge next to the communal onsens. Complimentary coffee, hot apple tea, water, etc., are available.
Then this ryokan is a universal design. There is universal room. 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.
There is a nice spa treatment shop. You need to make an appointment in advance if you want to have a spa treatmemt service.
How about meals?
Sophisticated Japanese cuisine with plenty of local ingredients was excellent. The food was delicious, and the rice cooked in the kettle was so good that I couldn’t stop eating it. After dinner, some rice balls for a night snack were served in our room.
There are two dining areas in the Ishikura and the main building. All meals are served in a private room or dining room. If you stay in the Ishikura building, you can request meals served in your room.
*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 Myoken Ishiharaso
| Style | Luxury Modern Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 *the main building 14:00/11:00 *the Ishikura building |
| Estimated Price | 100,000JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact | mishi@m-ishiharaso.com |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the ryokan |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available Valet service is available |
| Location | Myoken Ishiharaso’s MAP |
| Access | 15min by taxi from Kagoshima Airport |
| Address and TEL | 4376 Kareigawa, Hayato-cho, Kirishima-shi, Kagoshima-ken Tel +81 995-77-2111 |
| Official Homepage | Myoken Ishiharaso’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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