Blessed by volcanic activity, Kagoshima is a hot spring kingdom. With the second-highest number of hot spring sources in Japan, this land surrounded by the Kirishima mountain range is home to numerous secluded hot springs far from civilization. This article introduces 10 hidden hot springs in Kagoshima Prefecture, ranging from naturally occurring wild onsen to historic mountain lodges.
1. Kirishima Onsen Me-no-Yu (Kirishima City)
Known as the oldest rock bath in Kirishima Onsen, this is a wild hot spring. Located just a 1-minute walk from the Maruo Nature Trail entrance along Prefectural Route 1, it's easily accessible. Hot spring water naturally pools in a rock depression, creating a natural bathtub large enough for 1-2 people. It has been called "Me-no-Yu" (Eye Bath) as it has been believed to be good for eye ailments since ancient times.
The water is colorless and transparent with almost no scent or taste, naturally flowing from the bottom of the rocks. The water temperature varies greatly between 35-60°C depending on the season and weather, so timing is important for bathing. Generally, it tends to be lukewarm in winter.
Next to Me-no-Yu flows a milky white river called "Kawa-no-Yu" (River Bath). Hot spring water flows in from the fumarole area near Kirishima Hotel upstream, with varying temperatures depending on location. Rich in mud, natural mud packs can also be enjoyed.
- Spring Quality: Self-flowing spring (details unknown)
- Source flow-through
- Bath: Open-air only
- Source Temperature: 35-60°C (seasonal variation)
- Day-use Bathing: Available (free)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating Period: Year-round (suitable bathing temperature varies by season)
2. Kirishima Shinmoeso (Kirishima City)
A hidden hot spring inn nestled in the mountains at 920m above sea level at the foot of Shinmoedake. Located at the highest point in Kyushu at 920m elevation, this is the innermost hot spring in the Kirishima Onsen area, enveloped in silence where even mobile phone signals don't reach. Temporarily closed due to the 2011 Shinmoedake eruption, it reopened the following year. It's also certified by the Kyushu Onsen Path.
The main feature is the strongly sulfurous, milky white simple sulfur spring. Water flows down the walls of the indoor bath, and thick white yuto (hot spring deposits) adhere to the wall surfaces. The outdoor bath is mixed-gender, but with low transparency due to the milky water, it's relatively easy for women to enter. It also has a high reputation for treating skin conditions like atopy and athlete's foot.
There's a 30-minute bathing limit, so extended soaks aren't possible, but this speaks to the concentration of the spring quality. For overnight guests, multiple bathing sessions are possible, allowing full enjoyment of the hot spring.
- Spring Quality: Simple sulfur spring
- Source flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Open-air=1 (mixed)
- Source Temperature: 62.7°C
- Water added, no heating, no circulation/chlorination
- Day-use Bathing: Available (600 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Closed Tuesdays (or following day if holiday)
3. Chikurin-no-Yu (Kirishima City)
A wild hot spring highly praised among hot spring enthusiasts as a miraculous hidden gem, despite being located just 10 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport along National Route 223. About 3 minutes down through bamboo groves near Shiohitashi Onsen Ryoma Park reveals an otherworldly scene.
The source springs at approximately 50°C, flowing down reddish-brown stained rocks, cooling to a suitable temperature, and pooling in natural rock depressions. The bath is divided into two levels: the upper section is hotter, the lower cooler, allowing bathing according to preference.
The formations created by hot spring minerals are spectacular, like works of art. The water ranges from colorless transparent to yellow-tinted, with a slight carbonated and iron taste. Though an unmanaged wild hot spring, it's regularly maintained with wooden flooring for changing and chairs provided.
The adjacent river is a clear stream where small fish swim. In summer, alternating hot and cold baths can be enjoyed by entering the river.
- Spring Quality: Iron-containing spring (estimated)
- Source flow-through
- Bath: Wild hot spring (2 levels)
- Source Temperature: Approximately 50°C
- Day-use Bathing: Available (free)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating Period: Year-round (24 hours)
4. Myoken Onsen Orihashi Ryokan (Kirishima City)
Founded in 1879 (Meiji 12), this long-established inn has walked alongside the history of Myoken Onsen. A member of the Japan Secret Hot Springs Association, it's the oldest in Myoken Onsen. Despite excellent access, just 15 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport, it's a quiet inn situated on approximately 10,000 tsubo (33,000㎡) of land.
The main building, constructed in 1913 (Taisho 2), is a charming pure Japanese-style architecture that has overcome several disasters. There are 12 detached rooms with open-air baths, allowing guests to forget time and relax.
The hot spring uses a private source. Particularly famous is "Kizu-yu" in the annex "Sansuiso," a 33°C lukewarm bath that only springs at this inn in Myoken Onsen. The distinctive water is clouded yellow with mud, with yuto floating. Other open-air baths have transparent water, each offering different bathing sensations.
Beloved by many literary figures including Saito Mokichi, it flourished as "Kagoshima's inner parlor" from Taisho to early Showa periods.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring (bicarbonate spring type)
- Source flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Open-air=multiple, Private baths available
- Source Temperature: Kizu-yu 33°C, others suitable temperature
- Day-use Bathing: Available (Kizu-yu/Take-no-yu 500 yen, Open-air bath 1,200 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
5. Kurinodake Onsen Nanshukan (Yusui Town)
A solitary inn on the mid-slope of Kurinodake, above 1,000m elevation. Named "Nanshukan" because Saigo Takamori visited for hot spring therapy in 1876 (Meiji 9). Also a member of the Japan Secret Hot Springs Association.
The main feature is enjoying three different spring qualities. "Sakura-yu" is acidic simple sulfur spring (pH 2.8) with a milky white, gentle bathing feel. "Take-no-yu" is acidic iron(II/III)-ammonium-sulfate spring (pH 2.2), the strongest acidity on Kagoshima mainland. Gray-clouded with intense ammonia smell. Sulfur-containing mud settles at the bottom of the bath, allowing mud pack enjoyment. "Mushi-furo" is a sauna using natural steam, with both hot and cool rooms.
The specialty is "steamed chicken," a whole chicken steamed with hot spring steam, absorbing spring components to become exquisite. Advance reservation required, but definitely worth trying.
- Spring Quality: Sakura-yu=Acidic simple sulfur spring (pH 2.8), Take-no-yu=Acidic iron-ammonium-sulfate spring (pH 2.2), Mushi-furo=Radon spring
- Source flow-through (no chlorination)
- Baths: Indoor=3 locations (Sakura-yu, Take-no-yu, Mushi-furo)
- Source Temperature: Sakura-yu 61°C, Take-no-yu around 60°C
- Water added, no heating
- Day-use Bathing: Available (1 bath 300 yen, 2 baths 550 yen, 3 baths 700 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round (currently temporarily closed per some information, confirmation needed)
6. Fukiage Onsen Kohan-no-Yado Midoriso (Hioki City)
A hidden hot spring inn founded in 1932, nestled on the shore of Midori Pond. A member of the Japan Secret Hot Springs Association, praised by Saito Mokichi, who made it his regular lodging, calling it "divine water." Said to have been visited by Saigo Takamori in early Meiji period. A quiet 8-room inn, the main gate is relocated from a samurai residence.
Two sources are used: private and communal. The private source naturally springs from 70m underground on the premises - colorless transparent water with egg smell and silky feel. Used in open-air baths. The communal source is blackish transparent water, used in indoor and private baths. Enjoying both white and black sulfur springs is Midoriso's unique charm.
A walking path surrounds Midori Pond, where cherry blossoms and autumn leaves can be enjoyed seasonally. Open-air baths are separated by gender, scattered around the pond perimeter. Surrounded by nature in tranquility, time flows leisurely.
- Spring Quality: Private source=Simple sulfur spring (59.6°C, pH 9.0), Communal source=Simple sulfur spring (36.4°C, pH 9.0)
- Source flow-through (no water addition/heating/circulation/chlorination)
- Baths: Indoor=1 each gender, Open-air=1 each gender, Private baths=2
- Day-use Bathing: Available (Main bath 500 yen, Family bath around 700 yen)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round (Day-use bathing: Weekdays 10:00-19:30, Sat/Sun/Holidays eve 10:00-15:00)
7. Kirishima Onsen Kawa-no-Yu (Kirishima City)
A wild hot spring where the entire river flowing beside Me-no-Yu becomes hot spring water. Sulfur springs passing through the fumarole area near Kirishima Hotel upstream and overflow from Ryokojin Sanso's source facility merge and flow in.
The river is milky white, with temperatures varying by location. The area near the bridge by Me-no-Yu is relatively lukewarm, suitable in summer; it gets warmer upstream. In spring and autumn, suitable temperature is several dozen meters upstream from the bridge; in winter, proceed further upstream. Temperature changes with outdoor temperature and after rain, offering the fun of finding the day's best spot.
The river depth is several dozen centimeters, with stagnant pools and small waterfall basins creating natural baths throughout. Low transparency makes it relatively easy to enter even for mixed bathing. Good access allows walking from the hot spring town in yukata, making it a beginner-friendly wild hot spring.
- Spring Quality: Sulfur spring
- Source flow-through
- Bath: Wild hot spring (entire river)
- Source Temperature: Varies by location (approximately 25-45°C)
- Day-use Bathing: Available (free)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating Period: Year-round (24 hours)
8. Shiohitashi Onsen (Kirishima City)
A historic hot spring known for being visited by Sakamoto Ryoma and O-Ryo on their honeymoon. Currently maintained as "Shiohitashi Onsen Ryoma Park" with foot baths and a museum. Also known as an access base to Chikurin-no-Yu.
The hot spring is a simple spring, colorless and transparent. Ryoma and O-Ryo visited this place in 1866, healing their wounds. Facilities recreating buildings from that era exist within the park, allowing enjoyment of hot springs while feeling historical romance.
The foot bath is free to use, easily accessible along National Route 223. Bamboo groves spread around the area, creating a quiet atmosphere.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Bath: Foot bath, exhibition in museum
- Day-use Bathing: Available (foot bath free)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating Period: Year-round
9. Wild Hot Spring Groups in Myoken-Anraku Onsen-kyo (Kirishima City)
Several wild hot springs are scattered along the Amorikawa River in Myoken-Anraku Onsen-kyo. While ryokan culture flourishes, wild hot springs where you can enjoy untouched natural hot springs are also popular among enthusiasts.
Descending through bamboo groves along National Route 223 leads to hot springs. The entrance has a gate of unknown origin. The river flowing below the hot spring is a clear stream, with the surrounding wild hot springs enveloped in nature-rich environments.
As natural hot springs, how to approach and enjoy them is up to each bather. Experiencing a modest adventure atmosphere in daily life is also one of wild hot springs' charms.
- Spring Quality: Iron-containing springs, bicarbonate springs, etc. (varies by location)
- Source flow-through
- Bath: Wild hot springs
- Day-use Bathing: Available (free)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating Period: Year-round (24 hours)
10. Kirishima Yunodani Onsen Yunodani Sanso (Kirishima City)
A solitary inn located in a particularly nature-surrounded area within Kirishima Onsen-kyo. In silence surrounded by primeval forest, abundant source flow-through hot spring can be enjoyed.
Open-air baths are in the forest, allowing bathing while feeling nature through the four seasons. Spring quality is simple spring, colorless transparent gentle water. Abundant volume ensures constantly fresh water flowing.
Indoor baths are also spacious, with views of Kirishima mountains through large windows. While maintaining hidden hot spring atmosphere, facilities are well-equipped for comfortable stays.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Source flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=1 each gender, Open-air=1 each gender
- Source Temperature: Around 50°C
- Day-use Bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating Period: Year-round
Precautions When Visiting Kagoshima's Hidden Hot Springs
About Wild Hot Springs
Wild hot springs are natural hot springs without managers. Please note the following:
- Use at your own risk
- Almost no changing rooms or facilities
- Wearing swimsuits or large towels recommended
- Always take garbage with you
- Protect surrounding natural environment
- Water temperature changes greatly with weather and season
- Avoid bathing during high water - dangerous
About Access
- Many hidden hot springs are in mountainous areas with narrow roads
- Rental car use recommended
- Set GPS to facilities near destination
- Be careful of frozen roads in winter
Items to Bring
- Towels (multiple)
- Change of clothes
- Drinking water
- Insect repellent (summer)
- Flashlight (for wild hot springs)
Kagoshima's hidden hot springs are natural treasures created by volcanic blessings. From the primitive charm of wild hot springs to the atmosphere of historic mountain lodges, diverse hot spring experiences are available. Please experience the luxury of refreshing body and mind in tranquil hot springs away from daily hustle and bustle.
*The information is current as of the research date, but there may be errors. Please check official websites for the latest information.