Hotel Wasure-no-sato Gajoen 忘れの里雅叙苑
Between nature and tradition
Located in a green setting a few kilometers from the small town of Kirishima and the sea, the Wasure-no-sato Gajoen hotel is a hamlet made up of thatched-roof houses. Go green in this "forgotten village" which has some great surprises in store for you.
The charm of a traditional village
The 10 maisonettes that make up the small hamlet of Gajoen are in fact as many suites designed to welcome hotel guests and immerse them in the atmosphere of a traditional village where calm and serenity are the key words.
Well hidden under the thatched roofs of these charming little houses, we discover 4 different types of suites . The standard suites are located on the banks of the Amori River and near the two onsen of Gajoen, fed by the Myoken spring, known for its therapeutic virtues: the Takeru-yu onsen , accessible to all , and the Ramune-yu onsen , reserved to hotel guests. The other suites all have their own onsen , either in a small, specially-appointed living room or outdoors.
The hotel also has a spa , surrounded by greenery and from where you can hear the Amori River humming. You will be offered various face and body treatments .
Read also: Hot springs and public baths
Refined, local and eco-responsible cuisine
The hotel restaurant aims to offer typical food from the region while respecting the environment and we can say that it knows how to do it! The various dishes served within the hotel grounds are in fact made from organic, pesticide-free ingredients grown on the hotel's private farm as well as in its vegetable garden. On the meat side, it's the same thing since the hotel has its own chicken coop . The chickens there are fed with pesticide-free feed and are raised in the open air.
The hotel breakfast
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A Satsuma-style dinner
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You might even come across some of them while strolling through the hamlet... and even taste them in the form of sashimi , raw chicken being one of the most famous specialties of Kagoshima prefecture .
Other eco-responsible places in Japan: The Naa organic restaurant farm and Kyoto: Kitchen Garden, the organic vegetable garden
Some activities to do on site
If relaxing in the various onsen of the hotel while enjoying the passing of time or relaxing in the spa is no longer enough for you, the surroundings of Kirishima are full of points of interest to discover during your stay. We present here a small range of activities to do on site.
You will be able to visit the Kirishima sanctuary which, in addition to being magnificent, is also a high place of the Shinto religion, since it was built in a key place of the legend of Ninigi-no-mikoto , a small -son of the sun goddess Amaterasu and mythical ancestor of the imperial line of Japan. The sanctuary therefore has very close ties with the imperial family.
Kirishima Shrine
STA3816 (Wikimedia Commons)
Rather in the mood for a short hike ? It is also possible since a few tens of minutes drive from the hotel stands a mountain range . We advise you to climb Mount Takachiho-no-mine , also linked to Ninigi-no-mikoto who would have planted his halberd at the top. Nowadays, only a replica of this legendary halberd remains at the top of the mountain, but it is not the only reward that will await you there, since on sunny days you will be able to admire the splendid bay . of Kagoshima as well as the Sakurajima volcano .
See also: Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Kyushu
Mount Takachiho-no-mine
Hsyk (Wikimedia Commons)
If you want to take a short tour of Miyazaki prefecture, neighboring Kagoshima, we can also recommend a short visit to the Takachiho farm , located at the foot of Mount Kirishima. Only about 30 minutes drive from Gajoen, you can visit this Japanese farm, take part in many activities such as feeding the lambs or milking the cows , buying farm products or tasting them on site or even admiring the magnificent flower fields. of the farm.
Finally, for lovers of history and hot springs, the Shiobitashi onsen will be a must since Ryôma Sakamoto, one of the emblematic figures of the fight against the shogunate shortly before the Meiji Restoration, would have stayed there for a time, in order to recover from a serious injury. A small museum not far away is dedicated to him. If access to the onsen and the museum are paying, you can however enjoy the park that surrounds them as well as the foot baths for free.
To go further: Kirishima-yaku National Park
Address, timetable & access
Address
Phone
+81 (0)995-77-2114Timetable
25 minutes by bus from Kagoshima Airport. 15 minutes by bus from JR Kareigawa Station.Price
Hotel: between 28,230 yen (220€) and 62,290 yen (485€) per night and per person. Prices are subject to change, especially during New Year's Eve, O-bon and Golden Week.Restaurant: At lunchtime, the hotel restaurant offers 3 menus at 2,500 yen (€19.50) each.Access
Arrivals take place from 2 p.m. and departures until 12 p.m.Website
http://www.gajoen.jp/en/index.html
