Wasurenosato Gajoen (忘れの里 雅叙苑)
Wasurenosato Gajoen is an inn that evokes the atmosphere of a traditional community in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. A small hamlet was created by relocating rural architecture to a quiet area beside the Amorigawa River, away from the bustle of ryokan hotels. Alongside the thatched buildings are onsen baths hewn out of solid rock, and cuisine of the land of Satsuma is served using local vegetables and poultry raised on the property’s own farm. Everyone who visits Gajoen senses something deeply familiar and reassuring.
RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX Wasurenosato Gajoen
Ryokan Information
- Chain: Relais & Chateaux (Member since 2015)
- Style: Luxurious ryokan inn
- Address: 4230 Shukukubota Makizonocho, Kirishima 899-6507 Kagoshima
- Telephone: 0995-77-2114
Social Media
- Website: https://www.gajoen.jp/en/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wasurenosato.gajoen/
- Instagram: @gajoen2114
Location
Wasurenosato Gajoen is one of the finest luxury ryokan inns in Kagoshima, an area known for rich volcanic activity and onsen hot springs. Kagoshima is also famous for natural sights such as waterfalls and shrines, as well as historical and cultural sites. It is a destination to explore at your own pace and to recharge in a natural environment.
Rooms
Wasurenosato Gajoen is a small ryokan with a total of 10 guest rooms, offered in five different types. Each room features charming futons and beautiful views of the surrounding forest and river. Some rooms include open-air private hot-spring stone baths—an ideal, traditional setting for romantic relaxation.
Dining
Wasurenosato Gajoen is well known for using home-grown, pesticide-free ingredients. Chicken and vegetables come from the property’s own private farm and garden. This produce is used to prepare healthy, traditional Japanese cuisine. Menu items include salt-roasted sweetfish, hearty dago-jiru dumpling soup, and sticky rice with mountain vegetables. Mornings begin with a traditional Japanese breakfast featuring fresh vegetables, miso soup, and rice cooked over a firewood stove.
Onsen
There are two main baths at Wasurenosato Gajoen—one for men and one for women. The baths were hewn from solid 20-ton rocks by Tateo Tajima, a process that took half a year. As you soak, you can feel how naturally the bath belongs to the land.
Utase-yu and Ramune-yu are two private onsen at Wasurenosato Gajoen. The water is drawn from a geothermal well that has naturally produced fresh water since long ago. In addition to improving blood circulation, the carbon dioxide in the water feels pleasant on the skin.
Activities at Gajoen
The open-air kitchen
Wasurenosato Gajoen has an open-air kitchen where guests can order grilled dishes or egg dishes, cooked by the chef to your preference.
Hearth Hut
The Hearth Hut serves as the lobby of Wasurenosato Gajoen. At night, guests can enjoy kappo-zakke, a traditional alcoholic beverage warmed over the fire. Take in the aroma and watch the coals as you sip. Time spent around the fireplace at Gajoen is always a distinctive experience.
Ichou-no-ma
Ichou-no-ma was Wasurenosato Gajoen’s first traditional thatched-roof house, where breakfast and dinner are served. Terrace seating lets you hear the stream’s gentle murmur and feel at one with the scenery.
Fubosha book salon & café
Fubosha is open during the day as a reading salon, and also operates as a restaurant and café. Lunch is served here for guests on a plan that includes lunch together with bathing in Takeru-yu.
Gajoen Spa
The spa at Wasurenosato Gajoen is located alongside the Amorigawa River. Guests can enjoy treatments accompanied by the sound of flowing water and trees moving in the breeze, reconnecting with nature.
Attractions nearby
- Myoken Hot Spring (1.1 km)
- Inukai Falls (1.7 km)
- Shiobitashi Onsen Ryoma Park (5.3 km)
- Kagoshima Airport Observation Deck (9.4 km)
- Kagoshima Jingu Shrine (9.6 km)
- Furumi Site (9.9 km)
- Kirishima-jingu Shrine (17.6 km)
- Kirishima Onsenkyo hot-spring area (18.4 km)
- Kirishima Shinwanosato Park (19.2 km)
- Sakamoto No Kurozu Tsubobatake Johokan (20 km)
- Maruo Falls (23 km)
