Kirishima is the site of the legend of "Tenson Korin," where Ninigi-no-Mikoto is said to have descended from Takamagahara to Earth. The area is home to Mount Kirishima, Japan's first national park, as well as many hot spring resorts, including Kirishima Onsen, Kirishima Jingu Onsen, Myoken-Anraku Onsen, and Hinatayama Onsen, where you can enjoy magnificent nature and a variety of hot springs.

The hot springs are rich in quality, including simple hot springs, carbon dioxide springs, bicarbonate springs, chloride springs, iodine-containing springs, sulfate springs, iron-containing springs, sulfur springs, acidic springs, and radioactive springs. Boasting one of the largest selections of hot springs in the country, it is one of the top tourist destinations in Kyushu.

Kirishima Onsenkyo, dotted southwest of Mount Kirishima, is made up of nine hot springs of various sizes, including the famous Me no Yu, said to be Kirishima's oldest rock bath, and the hot spring where Sakamoto Ryoma, a patriot of the late Edo period, visited on his honeymoon with his beloved wife Oryo. Some of the hot spring water is drinkable, so you can enjoy the healing effects of the hot springs both inside and outside your body.

After touring the hot springs, we recommend replenishing your energy with some local specialties. At Kirishima Onsen Kirishima Onsen Market, located in the Maruo area in the heart of Kirishima Onsen, you can purchase famous Kirishima specialties such as Kirishima tea, black vinegar products, and sweet potato shochu, as well as handmade local products and fresh vegetables grown in the rich natural environment.

At the "Steamed Food Shop," you can take out eggs, vegetables, hot spring buns, and more that have been steamed in the hot spring steam. The hot spring eggs, which are slowly steamed for an hour, have an exceptional taste.

There is also a paid foot bath within the facility called "Yukemuri no Sato Footbath" (sulfur-containing sodium chloride spring), where many people enjoy a relaxing time eating soft serve ice cream.

Kirishima Onsen is located at a high altitude and has been designated as a national hot spring resort, and one of its great attractions is being able to enjoy the changing nature of the seasons.

In spring, flowers such as the Japanese laurel bloom in full glory, and the fresh greenery of the mountains is a sight to behold. From spring to summer, the flowers of the Miyamakirishima tree paint the mountainside a crimson purple. In autumn, the mountains are colored with autumn leaves, and in winter, frost-covered trees tower over the mountains... Climbing and trekking are popular activities that allow you to experience nature's changing expressions with the seasons up close.

Mount Takachiho, the second peak of Mount Kirishima, is known for being climbed by Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryo, and is a scenic spot worth visiting even if you're not a history buff. Onamiike, a crater lake located at an altitude of 1,411 meters, is popular for its easy trekking.

JR Kirishima-Jingu Station, which reopened in March 2024, is one of the stations closest to Kirishima Onsenkyo. The station building features a warm interior, made with plenty of cedar from Kagoshima Prefecture. The ticket gate is decorated with a torii gate, welcoming visitors to Kirishima Shrine.
Why not escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a refreshing summer at Kirishima Onsen with many myths surrounding it?