Gokuraku Onsen

Below the Kirishima mountain range, in Takaharu Town of Miyazaki Prefecture, stands Gokuraku Onsen. Known as a spa inn that still carries the mood of the early Showa era, it is a hot spring where you can savor a cure retreat feeling amid the quiet of the mountains. Together with cuisine drawn from the mountains and rivers of Kyushu, a heartwarming welcome awaits.

Highlights

The free flowing carbonated water is said to be good for beautiful skin and for easing fatigue. Its signature feature is a rock bath carved from a single enormous boulder, whose bold construction makes you catch your breath. With open air pools, a cold water bath from the source, a sauna, and private baths, various bathing spots let you enjoy a soak just as you please.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the mountain village is dressed in fresh buds, and in summer the open air baths wrapped in green invite cool relief. Autumn colors the peaks of Kirishima, letting you watch the shifting scenery as you soak. In winter the warmth of the carbonated water seeps to the core, and it is amid the cold that you truly feel how welcome a bath can be.

Access and Basic Information

Access is basically by car, in a mountain setting in Takaharu Town that looks toward the Kirishima range. It is relatively close to an interchange on the Miyazaki Expressway, easy to visit alongside sightseeing around Kirishima. It welcomes overnight guests and day visitors alike.

A Quick Tip

Carbonated water warms you well even when it is lukewarm, so soak slowly to avoid overheating. The signature cuisine is also well regarded, so staying overnight to savor it fully lets you enjoy all the charm of Gokuraku Onsen.