Nakajima Onsen Ryokan

Historical hero Mr. Saigo Takamori loved Fukiage Onsen Area. It takes about 1 hour from Kagoshima City.

History of Fukiage Onsen Area

Local Forklore

In the past, a clever horse got injured seriously at the village of Fukiage.

The hourse escaped from the house when its master didn’t watch the hourse. The hourse was found to take the natural spa in deep mountain.

The master took the horse to the spa everyday and the injury of the hourse recovered dramatically.

The rumor spread and people started to come to take the spa. This is the origin of Fukiage Spa.

（Imamura Tatsuo “Forklore of Fukiage”）

Saigo Takamori

His statue stands at the entrance of Fukiage Onsen Area.

He looks very happy to take the spa.

Saigo Takamori is said to come to Fukiage Onsen Area in 1870, 1871 and 1874.

When he came to Fukiage Onsen Area in 1874, he is said to enjoy hunting while enjoying spa.

Saigo Takamori was killed 3 years after his final visit to Fukiage Onsen Area.

Fukiage Onsen Town

Beautiful mountains and forests surround Fukiage Onsen Town.

Mr. Saigo chose this spa of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan because it uses 100% natural hot water and the water has effects on skin diseases. Mr. Saigo has suffered from skin diseases for a long time in his life.

Appearance of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan

The building of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan has the history of more than 80 years.

I discovered a picture of big face of Mr. Saigo at the entrance of the Ryokan.

I bought the ticket at the machine and handed it to the staff.

This is the entrance of family spa. If you stay at the Ryokan, you can enjoy the spa exclusively.

Following picture is the entrance of the public bath.

Left entrance is for women and right entrance is for men.

I took off my shoses here. Let’s take the bath!

Spa of Shimadzu Clan

Not only Mr. Saigo but also Mr. Shimadzu Tadayoshi .（1492-1568）loved taking the spa of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan.

Tadayoshi was the grandfather of Shimadzu Yoshihisa and Shimadzu Yoshihiro. Those brothers contributed to the strong foundation of Satsuma Domain and added whole Kyushu Island to their territory of Satsuma Domain.

Wonderful Spa!

Big picture of Fukiage beach was painted on the wall of the spa.

I am sorry that I couldn’t take pictures of spa well due to the steam of hot water.

The hot water of the spa is brought straightly from the underground of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan without adding any water.

The water of the left bath is hot. The right one is not too hot.

I took the right bath and enjoy the water for a long time.

Free shampoo and conditioners are not equipped at the spa.

You can buy shampoo and conditioners at the receipt, but it is better to bring them for yourself.

Good flavor of sulfur is filled the spa room. It is very relaxing.

I thought that the picture of the turtle was very cute.

Fukiage beach is close to the Nakajima Onsen Ryokan and is famous place where turtles lay eggs.

After Spa

I drank a bootle of cole at the garden of Nakajima Onsen Ryokan.

I took a walk around the Ryokan. I found a small shrine at the backyard of the Ryokan.

My Comment

The Nakajima Onsen Ryokan is the traditional Japanese Ryokan.

The fee to take the spa is only 330 yen. It is very reasonable.

I enjoyed chatting with other guests when I took the spa. One guest has taken spa at every weekends for more than 30 years. It shows many people has loved the Ryokan for the long time.