A trip to Tarumizu, Kagoshima to visit hidden hot spring baths and a sauna.
These days, I frequently go to hot spring baths and saunas to refresh myself and recharge my batteries. I’ve always loved the public bath near my home, but I have always felt like discovering a new BASE where I could go. So, I went online one day and found hidden hot spring baths and a sauna in Kagoshima!
I decided to go to Kagoshima for my next holiday destination to recharge myself in a new place.
I decided to go to Kagoshima for my next holiday destination to recharge myself in a new place.
A golden hot spring bath near the sea.
From Kagoshima Airport, I drove to my destination, Tarumizu City. Bathed in the warm climate and sunshine, the blue ocean and mountain greenery boosted the warm southern country vibe.
I drove along the coast while enjoying the pleasant breeze, and then I reached my first stop, TM Bokujo Onsen. Bokujo means ranch. As its name suggests, there used to be a ranch nearby, and the owner who had horses pumped hot spring water to the ranch and poured it over his broodmares and foals to soothe them.
As I excitedly entered this new place where I had never been before, Yamamoto at the reception asked me in a friendly manner, "Where are you from?"
I drove along the coast while enjoying the pleasant breeze, and then I reached my first stop, TM Bokujo Onsen. Bokujo means ranch. As its name suggests, there used to be a ranch nearby, and the owner who had horses pumped hot spring water to the ranch and poured it over his broodmares and foals to soothe them.
As I excitedly entered this new place where I had never been before, Yamamoto at the reception asked me in a friendly manner, "Where are you from?"
The hot spring water gushes out from 1,300 meters underground. The temperature of the water at the source is about 47 degrees Celsius but gradually drops to 37 to 38 degrees Celsius as the water runs through the pipe to the bath. Yamamoto said, "As our hot spring water is lukewarm, some customers take a bath for about two hours. A long bath is good as it helps ease stiffness in the body and reduce stress. More than anything, though, we take pride in the fact that here, you can enjoy a bath while gazing at the ocean! You can even see dolphins when the weather is nice and the sea is calm."
The story of Yamamoto got me even more excited. Now, it’s time to soak in the bath!
The story of Yamamoto got me even more excited. Now, it’s time to soak in the bath!
The view of the vast Kinko Bay stretching outside the windows, together with the gentle breeze, was truly pleasant. The water was not too hot, so it was perfect for a long bath. I soaked in the bath filled with soft hot spring water and thoroughly recharged my exhausted mind and body.
You will apparently catch the sunset if you come at around 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The next time I come to this place, I will definitely come in the late afternoon.
Soaking in the bath made me hungry. So, I went to MINATO SHOKUDOH in Kanoya City which was recommended by the hotel staff when I booked my room.
You will apparently catch the sunset if you come at around 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The next time I come to this place, I will definitely come in the late afternoon.
Soaking in the bath made me hungry. So, I went to MINATO SHOKUDOH in Kanoya City which was recommended by the hotel staff when I booked my room.
Savoring dishes made with fresh greater amberjack. Getting a taste of the local flavors that have not changed since the restaurant opened.
MINATO SHOKUDOH is a restaurant run by Kanoya Fishermen’s Cooperative Association. It serves meals that are prepared with fresh greater amberjack caught at the fish farm early in the morning and then cut and trimmed on the same day. I saw how popular the restaurant was, with locals constantly coming and going.
I was so hungry that I ordered their recommended "Marinated Greater Amberjack Sashimi on Rice" set meal and "Greater Amberjack Sashimi."
I was so hungry that I ordered their recommended "Marinated Greater Amberjack Sashimi on Rice" set meal and "Greater Amberjack Sashimi."
According to the head chef, Dozono, who brought my set meal, the crunchiness of greater amberjack sashimi is proof of its freshness. "We serve greater amberjack caught on the day as sashimi, while for the rice bowl dish, we use the greater amberjack that has been marinated in the head chef’s secret sauce for a day," he said. The secret sauce made with Kyushu’s unique sweet soy sauce was the perfect match for the fatty greater amberjack sashimi.
Dozono went on to say, "We have actually been trying to maintain the same recipe since the establishment of our restaurant. When our customers come back, we want them to enjoy the same taste that they enjoyed when they last came here. That’s the reason why we’re preserving the flavors we have had since we first opened our doors." As I heard his story, I could not help telling him, "I want to come back here, too!"
Dozono went on to say, "We have actually been trying to maintain the same recipe since the establishment of our restaurant. When our customers come back, we want them to enjoy the same taste that they enjoyed when they last came here. That’s the reason why we’re preserving the flavors we have had since we first opened our doors." As I heard his story, I could not help telling him, "I want to come back here, too!"
I left Minato Shokudoh on a full stomach and drove to Sakurajima for a shot trip. On the way there, I happened to spot the Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park, so I stopped there and had a relaxing time while taking a look at Kagoshima City and the peak of Sakurajima.
I enjoyed some me time surrounded by nature, playing with a friendly cat and having a footbath.
I enjoyed some me time surrounded by nature, playing with a friendly cat and having a footbath.
Immersing in the local community. Revitalizing myself at a local sauna.
To conclude the day, I visited TM Onsen Center which is equipped with a sauna. This hot spring is operated by the same owner as TM Bokujo Onsen and also loved by the locals.
Shirakubo, the manager who welcomed me at the reception, told me that the sauna is particularly popular among customers. "Some regular customers who love the sauna spend two hours for sauna sessions with cold plunges in between," he added.
Shirakubo, the manager who welcomed me at the reception, told me that the sauna is particularly popular among customers. "Some regular customers who love the sauna spend two hours for sauna sessions with cold plunges in between," he added.
Unlike that of TM Bokujo Onsen, the hot spring water of TM Onsen Center is odorless, clear and colorless. It houses various baths: a bath with an ideal temperature of 41 degrees Celsius, a hot bath with a temperature of 42 to 43 degrees Celsius, an electric bath, a sauna, and a cold bath. After warming my body in the hot bath, I went to the sauna, which was something I was looking forward to.
The Japanese cypress sauna had a pleasant scent and made me feel like I was in the woods. The temperature inside the sauna was 90 degrees Celsius, and it gradually warmed me up from inside and made me sweat. After the recommended 12 minutes in the sauna, I headed for the cold bath. The water continuously flowed from above, so it felt like I was in one of those rituals performed under waterfalls as I showered. It also felt so good!
The Japanese cypress sauna had a pleasant scent and made me feel like I was in the woods. The temperature inside the sauna was 90 degrees Celsius, and it gradually warmed me up from inside and made me sweat. After the recommended 12 minutes in the sauna, I headed for the cold bath. The water continuously flowed from above, so it felt like I was in one of those rituals performed under waterfalls as I showered. It also felt so good!
Having spent plenty of time at the hot spring facilities to fully recharge myself, I slept soundly as soon as I got back to my hotel room.
Thanks to the hot spring bath, I woke up feeling refreshed and my body felt lighter. I heard that the terrace of the hotel had a view of Sakurajima, so I had breakfast there that morning. The magnificent Sakurajima, the sound of the waves lapping onto the beach, the sea breeze that was typical of a southern country, and the peaceful environment surrounded by nature soothed my soul.
I might have visited this place for the hot spring and sauna experience, but I believe that what recharged me was the atmosphere created by the entire town of Tarumizu. Before I knew it, I was already thinking about my travel plan for my next visit. I hope that next time, though, I will experience Tarumizu in the early evening.
I might have visited this place for the hot spring and sauna experience, but I believe that what recharged me was the atmosphere created by the entire town of Tarumizu. Before I knew it, I was already thinking about my travel plan for my next visit. I hope that next time, though, I will experience Tarumizu in the early evening.
