KAI Kirishima, a hot spring inn surrounded by expansive nature with views of Sakurajima, will begin offering "Kirishima Kaiun Tabi 2027" (a "good-luck journey" through Kirishima) on December 1, 2026. Guests who book the plan can receive a KAI Kirishima original goshuin (shrine seal stamp) at Kirishima Jingu, a National Treasure, and have it inscribed in a goshuincho (seal book) they make themselves. During the stay, staff give a talk on Kirishima Jingu called "Kaiun Iroha," and guests purify themselves with "Tekka Shinsen" purifying salt and the hot spring before visiting the shrine. Now in its sixth year, this edition also introduces new sheep-motif goods.
Background
Kirishima, where KAI Kirishima is located, is known as a place connected to the Japanese myth of Tenson Korin, the descent of the heavenly grandchild. This is the story of the imperial ancestors descending from Takamagahara, the heavenly realm, to govern the land in prosperity and peace. Kirishima Jingu, a short distance from KAI Kirishima, is one of the leading power spots in Kyushu. It enshrines seven deities, including Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the grandson of Amaterasu Omikami. These seven are among the gods who appear in the Tenson Korin myth and governed the earth.
"Kirishima Kaiun Tabi" began in 2021 and is renewed each year with new features. For the sixth year, the plan celebrates the arrival of the Year of the Sheep (未年), the same zodiac year as 1715, when the current shrine buildings were built. Special experiences include sheep-shaped jo-namagashi (premium fresh Japanese confections) and goshuincho making with sheep-patterned Satsuma washi paper.
Feature 1: Special Prayer and Special Viewing of the Kumen at Kirishima Jingu
The local performance at KAI Kirishima, "Tenson Korin ENBU," is a dynamic dance that expresses the myth of Tenson Korin. The masks worn in the performance are modeled after the nine masks (Kumen) enshrined at Kirishima Jingu. In addition to a special prayer at Kirishima Jingu, this plan offers a special viewing of the Kumen, which are not open to the public, at the shrine's Kagura-den (sacred dance hall). It is said that paying respects to the Kumen improves one's kumen (工面, meaning one's financial circumstances), and guests can receive their blessings.
- Optional: prayer fee of ¥10,000 per person
- Some dates are excluded due to Kirishima Jingu's schedule
Feature 2: Receive a KAI Kirishima Original Goshuin in a Goshuincho You Make Yourself (New)
Before visiting Kirishima Jingu, guests make their own goshuincho with a cover of Satsuma washi. There are five cover designs to choose from, including auspicious patterns such as asanoha (hemp leaf) and shippo (seven treasures), as well as the zodiac sheep. Guests who bring this original goshuincho to Kirishima Jingu can receive the original Kirishima Jingu × KAI Kirishima goshuin.
Alongside the goshuincho-making experience, staff also hold "Kaiun Iroha," a talk about Kirishima Jingu, giving guests a chance to reflect on the history of Kirishima.
Feature 3: Purify Yourself with Salt and the Hot Spring
In the guest room's open-air bath, which looks out over Sakurajima and Kinko Bay, guests purify body and mind with "Tekka Shinsen purifying salt" in preparation for visiting Kirishima Jingu. Tekka shinsen refers to offerings that have been taken down from the altar after being presented to the deities. The salt used is an offering that was presented before the deities during the ceremonies held daily at Kirishima Jingu. The bath washes away the impurities that the gods are said to dislike and prepares guests to convey their wishes to the deities.
Feature 4: "Kaiun Chaippe" with Kirishima Tea and Jo-namagashi
Guests enjoy local Kirishima tea with jo-namagashi themed around good fortune. "Chaippe" is a Kagoshima dialect phrase meaning "Why not have a cup of tea?" and reflects Kagoshima's culture of hospitality. Kirishima once had a "Kirishima Great Tea Tree" more than 300 years old, and sencha made from its leaves was dedicated to Kirishima Jingu as "tea of eternal youth and longevity." Guests drink tea grown in Kirishima, where this tea-making tradition lives on, together with nerikiri confections that add to the sense of good fortune at the start of 2027. The nerikiri are modeled on the zodiac sheep and on "オッのコンボ," a guardian of good fortune handed down in Kagoshima. In Kagoshima dialect, the name refers to an okiagari-koboshi (a traditional roly-poly doll).
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
- 3:00 PM — Check in
- 3:30 PM — "Kaiun Iroha" talk to prepare for the visit to Kirishima Jingu
- 4:00 PM — Make an original goshuincho with Satsuma washi
- 7:30 PM — Dinner: seasonal kaiseki featuring Satsuma food culture
- 9:15 PM — Watch the local performance "Tenson Korin ENBU" and deepen your understanding of the Tenson Korin myth and the Kumen viewing
Day 2
- 7:00 AM — Tenson Korin exercise
- 7:30 AM — Breakfast
- 9:00 AM — Bath with purifying salt in the guest room's open-air bath
- 10:00 AM — "Kaiun Chaippe" with Kirishima tea and original jo-namagashi
- 11:00 AM — Check out
- 11:30 AM — Special prayer at Kirishima Jingu, special viewing of the Kumen, and receiving the goshuin
Plan Overview
| Period | December 1, 2026 to November 30, 2027 |
| Price | From ¥49,650 per person per night (based on 2 guests per room; tax and service charge included). An additional goshuin fee of ¥500 is required. |
| Included | Kaiun Chaippe, goshuincho, purifying salt, Kaiun Iroha, accommodation, dinner, breakfast |
| Reservations | At least 7 days in advance via the official website |
| Capacity | 1 group per day (up to 3 guests per group) |
About KAI Kirishima (Kirishima Onsen, Kagoshima)
KAI Kirishima stands on the slope of Mt. Takachiho-no-mine, a place steeped in myth, and every guest room looks down over Sakurajima. A slope car leads down to a grassland where a yuami-goya (bathing hut) sits, and guests can soak in the hot spring while taking in views of the Kirishima Highland.
- Address: 2583-21 Kirishimayama, Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima 899-4201
- Phone: 050-3134-8092 (KAI Reservation Center)
- Rooms: 49 rooms in total. Check-in 3:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM
- Rates: From ¥31,000 per person per night (based on 2 guests per room; service charge and tax included; dinner and breakfast included)
- Access: By train, about 15 minutes by car from JR Kirishima-Jingu Station. By car, about 45 minutes from Kagoshima Airport
- Official website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/kaikirishima/
