What kind of onsen ryokan is Tsumikusa No Yado Komatsu Ryokan?
We visited Kagoshima Prefecture in late May when the leaves were fresh and beautiful. We stayed at Myoken Ishiharaso on the first day and decided to stay at this ryokan on the second day. To get straight to the point, it is a small luxury onsen ryokan with only six rooms in total, but it was a luxury that encapsulated the best of Japanese ryokan. We were pleased with the thoughtful hospitality that only a small luxury ryokan can provide.
We finished our sightseeing around the Kirishima area and headed there by cab around 3:30 p.m. After descending a steep hill, we saw the ryokan. As we got out of the cab in front of the entrance door, which had a dark blue noren curtain with a crescent moon painted on it, we could already smell the scent of sulfur. The ryokan is located in a small hot spring resort in the countryside, and the scent of sulfur came from nowhere. As in Beppu Onsen, there was a steamy atmosphere with steam emanating from everywhere. After passing through the noren curtain and entering the building, we found a small reception counter, where staff greeted us with smiles. They then immediately showed us to our room. The entrance is on the second floor, so we first went down the stairs to the first floor, where we found a public area with antique furniture shelves, tables, and chairs. Here and there, moss balls with tasteful nanten trees planted in them were decorated. Near the stairs, yukatas of various patterns were lined up for women to choose from.
This time, we booked a room called Tsukushi. Opening the black lattice door, we were greeted with the aroma of a tea incense burner. After taking off our shoes at the entranceway with its impressive walls made of clay with straw kneaded into it, we entered the room and proceeded down the corridor, which was decorated to look like a bamboo forest, to find a Japanese-style living room with sophisticated interior design. Outside the window of the Japanese-style room was a small box garden, a quaint space with beautiful moss. It looks like a box garden in a Kyoto machiya-style townhouse. Next to the Japanese-style room, there was a porch called engawa with a red Persian carpet and a classic furniture table and chairs. Also next to the Japanese-style room was a bedroom with twin beds. The wall of the bed board were covered with Oshima tsumugi weave, a traditional craft of Kagoshima prefecture. Next to the bedroom was a bathroom with a wonderful indoor and outdoor private onsens. Kirishima camphorwood was used for the beautifully grained corridor and bathroom floors.
We then checked in in our room and enjoyed tea and sweets prepared by the staff. For a while, we enjoyed plum wine from the room’s mini-bar while gazing at the quaint garden from the Japanese-style living room. When we listened carefully, we heard the sound of the river flowing nearby. JFYI, the mini-bar contained Asahi beer, plum wine, oolong tea, and bottled water. They were not free, but the prices were reasonable.
It was already past 4:30 p.m. when we came to, so we changed into yukatas and decided to go to a private outdoor family onsen on the grounds. This private bath can be used free of charge whenever it is available. After exiting the building, we walked along a corridor, down wooden steps, and through a maze of narrow paths, we came upon a simple, old-fashioned hut. At first glance, it appeared to be a very simple hut, but once inside, there was a wonderful milky-white outdoor onsen bath built out of a large stone. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the high-quality hot spring water had white spores floating in it. The sound of fresh hot spring water constantly being poured from a bamboo tube was pleasant to the ears. As we soaked in the onsen, we looked up a little and saw a crisp blue sky, fantastic floating clouds, and amazingly beautiful fresh green trees and moss bathed in the sun’s rays. We are sure that the autumn foliage season will be just as spectacular.
When we returned to our room from the private family onsen, the staff prepared complimentary shaved ice. We could choose between milk, lemon, or Hawaiian blue flavors. The milk-covered shaved ice we had was a nice touch, and the cold shaved ice cooled our bodies, which had been scalded by the hot spring baths. After this, the kids took a nap and we sat in chairs on the engawa, grabbed beer from the mini-bar, and decided to relax for a while.
The next thing we knew, it was time for dinner. We went to a dining room on the first floor around 6:30 p.m. and the staff showed us to a private room. Probably because we were with small children, they showed us to the private room. Even in the dining room, the tables are arranged with enough space between them so you will not be bothered by your surroundings. Dinner was a kaiseki meal with plenty of local ingredients. The grilled eel and meat were especially delicious. The Kagoshima black beef steak was very tender and rich in flavor. Also, the delicious black pork shabu-shabu could be refilled. We were very satisfied, as we are big eaters. Then, for the children, we had ordered children’s meals in advance. Omelette rice, hamburgers, croquettes, etc. were offered.
After dinner, we decided to enjoy the private onsens in our room. As we entered the bathroom, we could smell the scent of sulfur. To our surprise, the indoor bath was covered with waterproof tatami mats in the bathroom’s washing area. With tatami mats on the floor, children and the elderly would not have to worry about slipping and falling. After warming up in the indoor bath, we moved to the outdoor bath. We felt happy as we quietly soaked in the outdoor onsen, listening to the sound of the hot spring water slowly flowing from the bamboo tubes in a space faintly lit by lanterns. Looking up a little, we saw a soft, faintly hazy moon floating in the dark night sky. During the spring season, the temperature difference between day and night is extreme, so the warm air that accumulates during the day cools rapidly at night and becomes “water vapor,” which often makes the moon appear faint.
We woke up around 6:30 a.m. the next morning and decided to enjoy the private onsens in our room again. As we were soaking in the outdoor bath, the morning sun was just rising in the blue sky. Then, the blue sky and the trees in the garden were reflected on the surface of the onsen water in the outdoor bath, bathed in the sun’s rays. We almost lost track of time as we watched the beautiful surface of the water shimmering like a picture.
After enjoying our private onsens, we decided to take out Kirishima tea from the mini-bar and sat down in the chairs in the engawa. Kirishima tea, with its refreshing aroma and mild taste, quenched our parched thirst. On the window side of the engawa, the shoji doors covered with Japanese paper created a stunning space, with the plants and trees bathed in the morning sun, floating like shadow pictures.
Then, around 8:00 a.m., we went upstairs to the dining area for breakfast. The fresh local vegetables were especially delicious. A variety of steamed vegetables lined the table. The dishes used were imported from kilns all over Japan, and the attention to detail was evident.
After breakfast, we checked out around 9:30 a.m. because we were scheduled to catch an 11:00 a.m. flight, and took a cab to Kagoshima Airport. It was very convenient because it takes about 25 minutes from the ryokan to the airport.
If I dare to raise a drawback, it is that there are stairs, so it would not be recommended for people with limited mobility or those in wheelchairs. Because Kirishima Onsen is located in a mountain valley, every ryokan has stairs. According to the staff, this ryokan considered installing an elevator in the past, but it was not possible due to the location and lack of space.
Overall, we felt very relaxed in this homey, upscale ryokan, where Japanese hospitality was also fully appreciated. We would like to visit next time during the fall season.
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Is the location easy to access?
It takes 25min from Kagoshima Airport by cab. It costs around JPY3,000. There is no free shuttle service.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries in Kyushu?
If you are looking for a unique place for a special occasion, the property would be one of the best. The staff arranges flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance.
Rooms I would recommend?
If you are going to stay here, I would recommend a room called “Tsukushi”. The room including furniture, decorations, interior, and a small garden is truly sophisticated.
Each room at this ryokan has its own private indoor and outdoor onsen baths.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, yukatas, samue outfits, a coffee machine with beans, and tea bags. Also, there are colorful yukatas in the lobby which you can choose from. There are skincare products in the bathroom. There was free Wi-Fi on the grounds, but the signal was weak in the room where we stayed. There is no vending machine, but there is a convenience store nearby. Room service is not available.
Then, this is child-friendly. Staff can provide a crib, yukata, and chair, etc. if you request in advance.
How about In-house Facilities?
There is a private family outdoor onsen on the grounds that you can use for free whenever it’s not occupied. It’s open from 15:30-10:30 the following morning. There is no communal hot spring.
Then the ryokan is not a universal design. There is no lift. There are steps, but once you enter your room, you won’t need to move around as there are magnificent private onsens in your room. If you bring someone with weak legs you may want to inform the staff in advance. Also, you may want to book a western-Japanese room with twin beds.
How about meals?
Kaiseki cuisine was wonderful, especially, wagyu beefsteak and black pork shabu-shabu. There are free refills for the pork. Basically, all meals are served in a private room or a dining area.
You can also request to have meals served in your room. Additional charge JPY1,100 per adult. If you are traveling with small children and want to eat in your room, it is free of charge.
Then inform the staff when you book a room with meals if you have food allergies. They probably wouldn’t be able to prepare alternative food if you request on that day.
Then, as far as I know, there wouldn’t be restaurants near the property. Most of the local papa-mama shops are closing early. You may want to book a room including meals.
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Info about Tsumikusa No Yado Komatsu Ryokan
| Style | Small Authentic Ryokan |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:30/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 70,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
info@tsumikusa.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free wifi in the property |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are not available Pets are not allowed The free parking lot is available |
| Location | |
| Access | 25min by car from Kagoshima Airport |
| Address and TEL | 〒899-6603 Kagoshima Kirishima-shi Kakono-Cho Takachiho 3908 Tel +81 995-78-2557 |
| Official Homepage | Tsumikusa No Yado Komatsu Ryokan’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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