Published date: July 8, 2024
[Accommodation Experience] Kirishima Kokusai Hotel
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
This time, I came to Kirishima Kokusai Hotel, located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, through HafH.
The day before, I stayed in Kagoshima City before heading to Kirishima.
The hotel, which opened in 1971, is a long-established hotel, but due to a significant drop in customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was scheduled to end operations on May 20, 2021. However, Mystays Hotel Management took over operations and continued.
After seismic reinforcement work and renovations, it reopened on November 1, 2023.
Access takes about an hour and a half by rental car from Kagoshima City.
It is possible to go by bus, but it can be quite challenging, so a car is recommended.
Also, as the hotel is located in the Kirishima Onsen area, you will have to drive on many winding mountain roads.
Since it is located in the great nature of Kirishima, the fresh air is completely different from that of Kagoshima City from the moment you arrive.
The room type is a superior twin (with dinner and breakfast included).
Originally opened in 1971, this long-established hotel shows signs of aging in many places, but you can also see some parts that have been renovated.
Since there is a hot spring, few people probably use the bathroom in their room, but honestly, the bathroom felt quite old.
I couldn’t take pictures of the hot spring, but the hotel offers a genuine Kirishima hot spring.
The natural hot spring with free-flowing spring water was amazing, especially the outdoor bath "Kirinoyu" in the main building in the morning!
The meals included in the plan are a Japanese-Western buffet, and the venue is the Kirishima Yukemuri Terrace.
Before the buffet venue opens, there will be a long line of guests, so if you want a good seat or want to eat popular dishes early, please make sure to arrive with plenty of time to spare.
I ended up eating way too much, so just because it looks delicious doesn't mean you should take too much food...
However, I managed to finish everything without leaving anything behind.
By the way, breakfast is also buffet style.
I was a bit too full from the dinner, so I kept it light for breakfast.
Additionally, there is a souvenir shop, and the hotel is quite spacious and well-equipped.
Since you can stay at a reasonable price, many tour groups of foreign tourists came here as well.
It is relatively close to Kagoshima Airport, about 30 minutes by car, so if you are considering going to Kirishima as well as Kagoshima City, I highly recommend you consider using the Kirishima Kokusai Hotel!
Experiences during the trip
If you're coming to Kirishima, you definitely want to visit the Kirishima Shrine.
It takes about 13 minutes by car from Kirishima Kokusai Hotel.
Kirishima Shrine is one of the largest shrines in southern Kyushu, dedicated to Ninigino Mikoto, known from the mythology of the descent of the heavenly grandchild.
It seems to have various benefits such as matchmaking and family safety, and is also popular as a power spot.
As the COVID-19 situation has improved, there are now many foreign tourists visiting here.
I wanted to pray in a solemn atmosphere, but it seems difficult at this time...
Although there are a large number of tourists at the main shrine of Kirishima Shrine, if you walk about 5 minutes deeper to Yama Shrine, the number of people decreases significantly, so I recommend visiting here for those who want to pray in a quiet environment.