Kirishima Onsen Tabinoyu
Ultimate Guide
Hello! I’m Mama-Usa. Our family of four (2 adults, 2 kids aged 4 and 1) recently visited this amazing spot.
Located at an altitude of 700m in the Kirishima mountains, this place offers incredible Hot Springs (Onsen), unique Steam Cooking, and stunning views. Here is my detailed report with plenty of photos!
Basic Info & Access
| Name | Kirishima Onsen Tabinoyu (formerly Nonoyu Onsen) |
| Address | 1824-41 Santaido, Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima |
| Phone | 0995-55-1313 (Japanese only) |
| Check-in | From 12:00 |
| Check-out | Until 11:00 |
| Booking | Campsites: No Reservation (First-come, First-served) Lodges can be booked. |
Notice: Onsen Cleaning Time
Cleaning is performed daily from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. To avoid waiting, we recommend arriving after 12:00 PM.
Facilities & Onsen
Reception & Shop
Onsen (Hot Springs)
Features: Indoor bath, Outdoor bath (Rotenburo), Cold bath, and Steam bath. Shampoo and body soap are provided.
🇯🇵 How to Enjoy Onsen (Japanese Hot Springs)
In Japan, we enter the bath completely naked. No swimsuits allowed. It might feel shy at first, but once you’re in the water, nobody cares! Think of it as a liberating cultural experience.
The bathtub is for soaking, not washing. Please sit at the washing station and clean your body thoroughly before entering the shared tub. This keeps the water clean for everyone.
Before stepping in, rinse your body with hot water using the small bucket. It helps your body adjust to the temperature and prevents heat shock.
Don’t put your small towel in the bathwater. You can place it on your head or set it on the side. Also, long hair should be tied up so it doesn’t touch the water.
Using smartphones or cameras in the dressing room and bathroom is strictly prohibited to protect privacy. Please keep them in your locker.
Please use the shower carefully so water doesn’t splash on others. Also, Onsen is a place for relaxation, so please keep conversations quiet and refrain from swimming or splashing.
Historically in Japan, tattoos were associated with antisocial groups, so many Onsens still have a “No Tattoo” policy. However, rules are changing recently.
💡 Tip: If you have tattoos, it’s best to ask the staff before entering, or cover them with skin-colored tape if small. Some places offer private family baths which are tattoo-friendly!
Wipe your body with your small towel before going back to the dressing room. This keeps the floor dry and prevents slipping.
Steam Kiln (Mushi-gama)
What is Mushi-gama?
This is a traditional cooking method using natural geothermal steam. You can steam vegetables, eggs, or meat here!
Warning: The steam is extremely hot. Rubber gloves and tongs are provided, but we strongly recommend wearing long sleeves (like a hoodie) to prevent burns when putting food in or taking it out.
Kitchen & Water
Located at each campsite area. Note: Only cold water is available (no hot water tap).
Toilets
There are several toilets. Some are Western-style (sit-down), and others are Japanese-style (squat). Please check the signage.
Accommodation
Camping Sites
Watch out for the Black Cat!
When we stayed here, a black cat sneaked into our tent and ate all our Seared Bonito (Sashimi)! Make sure to close your tent securely and store food properly.
| Camping Fee (Per Person) | |
|---|---|
| Weekday | 1,600 JPY |
| Pre-holiday / Weekend | 1,800 JPY |
| Peak Season (Golden Week, New Year) | 2,000 JPY |
| Children (4yo – Elementary) | Half price |
| Day Camp | 1,000 JPY |
Log House
| Log House Fee (Per Person / based on 2 people) | |
|---|---|
| Weekday (Room Only) | 6,500 JPY |
| Weekday (w/ Breakfast) | 7,800 JPY |
| Weekend (Room Only) | 7,000 JPY |
Thatched House (Kayabuki)
Traditional Japanese style house with Irori (sunken hearth), private open-air bath, and cave bath.
Price: Approx. 17,300 JPY per person (includes 2 meals).
Booking (Rakuten Travel)
Highlights
Observation Deck
Nearby Shops
Since the campsite is in the mountains, shops are a bit far. We recommend buying food before arriving.
Convenience Stores
7-Eleven Kirishima Makizono (10 min by car)
Supermarket
Clean Mart Abe (10 min by car)
My Review
- Food cooked in the “Steam Kiln” is incredibly delicious!
- Unlimited access to the Onsen (Natural Hot Spring).
- Rich nature – we met wild Tanuki (Raccoon dogs) and deer at night.
- Amazing view of Sakurajima volcano when sunny.
- Mobile signal is weak. Expect a “Digital Detox”.
- Campsites are non-reservable, so arrive early on holidays.
- Watch out for wild animals (especially cats) stealing food.
Summary: We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. We cooked Chinese buns in the steam kiln (highly recommended!), soaked in the hot spring countless times, and enjoyed the quiet nature. It's a bit inconvenient without internet, but that's part of the camping charm in Japan. If you want a real Japanese "Onsen Camp" experience, Tabinoyu is the place to go!
