Authentic Japanese Culture on the Islands of Kyushu and Shikoku

The Ibusuki Hakusuikan, set against the dramatic backdrop of Kyosho’s Kagoshima Bay, is the epitome of high-end Eastern hospitality and warmth. Guests can choose from up to 205 classically styled rooms – emanating with the peace and tranquility synonymous with a restful state of mind – and are the perfect aid for total and complete relaxation. The refined elegance and space found in the rooms is reflected throughout the hotel and vibrant flora of the estate. Ibusuki Hakusuikan provides impeccable service and the very best in leisurely amenities such as a sauna, hot spring bath and spa. Located just 30 miles from Kagoshima itself, guests are easily able to visit this beautiful city, often cited as the ‘Naples of the East’.

Yakushima Island, on the southernmost tip of Japan’s toes, is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. Nestled between its mountains and cedar forests, still within close proximity of the ocean, is the Sankara Hotel & Spa. The ideal secluded retreat for nature lovers, the hotel is surrounded by stunning, rugged scenery and hiking trails which lead intrepid explorers to ravines and waterfalls and through forests filled with exotic flora and fauna. Guests seeking a more relaxing experience will be delighted with the cozy on-site library, a perfect spot to curl up with a good book. What’s more, the resort boasts the first Asia Herb Association spa in Japan, where a range of Thai herbal treatments are available. The auberge-style hotel pays homage to French style and elegance, with delicious French cuisine cooked in an open kitchen and served in Okas Restaurant. Meanwhile, the 29 suites and villas are warm and sumptuous, clad with deep cedar wood, yet maintaining a sense of space and light with their high ceilings.

Encased in luxuriously rich forest and crisply flowing rivers, this incredible hotel is the epitome of elegant serenity. Set in one of the most naturally exquisite prefectures of Japan, this area is an adventurer’s dream, complete with ocean, forest and ancient volcano remains. The perfect placement of traditionally designed cottages - inclusive of modern amenities - within lush and undisturbed greenery makes this destination a superb oasis of tranquility. Guests have the option to stay in a choice of ten different rooms, each one featuring natural beauty, charming architecture and unique cultural elements. A renowned restaurant with a variety of finely crafted culinary delights readily welcomes guests at a moment’s notice. A gorgeously maintained golf course and a relaxing spa are the perfect activities in which guests may immerse themselves during their stay in paradise.

This traditional Japanese-style ryokan in Uwajima is a beautifully presented two-story wooden building providing comfortable accommodation, delicious local cuisine and luxurious natural hot spring baths. After closing in 1995, it was left untouched for several years before being brought back to life in the spring of 2012, thanks to a makeover by the famous Japanese architect Yuko Nakayama. She combined modern technology with traditional Japanese furnishings and it is this mix of contemporary and classic styles that makes Kiya Ryokan so unique. With just one room, which sleeps between two and 10 guests, you can enjoy a peaceful stay here with the utmost freedom while you take advantage of the ryokan’s many facilities, including massages and beauty treatments.  In the room you will discover an air conditioner, an LCD television, dining table and safe, as well as an audio system with bluetooth connection.

On the very tip of Muroto in Kochi, surrounded by the rugged and dramatic landscape on the very edge of the ‘black sea’,  the UTOCO Auberge is a truly unique retreat. The super-modern resort resembles a sleek, white, circular spaceship, amidst the craggy rocks of Muroto geopark and its mysterious caves. And from the black current, the bubbles from the seabed provide health-giving benefits available in the hotel spa. Guests can unwind in the pool or indulge in deep sea therapies designed to relax and re-invigorate the whole body and spirit. Meanwhile, the hotel restaurant, Italian Kuroshio serves a smorgasbord of flavorful dishes made from the freshest seafood and local ingredients and inspired by the Mediterranean. The 17 guest rooms are arranged so that each enjoys a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean; decorated with a simple and sleek style, not a single detail has been overlooked, and the accommodation at UTOCO is perfectly designed to conduce to a restful stay. At sunset guests can take to the fresh air on the Typhoon Terrace for unforgettable views of sea and sky.

The unexplored beauty of Iya Valley attracts intrepid visitors with its green terraces and soaring mountains dotted with rural hamlets. Nature has protected this small corner of Shikoku Island and it remains largely untouched. What’s more, its life-giving hot springs are a huge draw, and what better way to reap their benefit than with a stay at the Iya Onsen? Here, a cable car carries guests down into the ravine, where open-air baths are filled with bubbling hot spring water. After a day of hiking, exploring and full immersion into nature, guests can retreat to their comfortable rooms at Iya Onsen, complete with tatami mats, gorgeous mountain views and a choice of indoor or outdoor baths. What’s more, the rooms are stocked with traditional yukata robes and Japanese tea and equipped with WiFi, audio player and massage chair for complete comfort in authentic surroundings. Keikoku no Sato restaurant also enjoys views of the valley and here, guests can take their time over multi-course Japanese meals, made with fresh and delicious ingredients. 

This elegant 400-year-old ryokan is situated in the midst of a stunning Japanese garden just a three-minute walk from the center of Kotohira. Offering a broad selection of accommodation, from Japanese-style rooms to stand-alone villas, Kotohira Kadan exceeds the expectations of each and every one of their guests. Kotohira Kadan is renowned for its heartfelt service and atmosphere and has welcomed a number of famous visitors over the years, such as distinguished writers Ogai Mori, Hakushu Kitahara, and Akiko Yosano. Guests may soak their weary muscles at the end of a day of sightseeing in one of ryokan’s large outdoor tubs, which offer breathtaking views of Mt. Sanuki Fuji and Kotohira town. In the evening, guests can sit down to beautifully presented meals of seafood and other local speciality dishes.

At this quiet seaside resort in Awaji Island, guests will have the opportunity to experience an authentic ryokan, enjoyed by only a handful of other tourists. Here, guests will find themselves immersed in nature, embracing the feeling of sheer peace that Villa Rakuen evokes, with its Japanese garden and outdoor spas. Spread over 11 floors, the rooms are presented as spacious suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing in plenty of natural light, and sprawling terraces complete with a private onsen overlooking the sea. The rooms offer Western-style beds for those who would prefer not to sleep on the floor. Guests can also take advantage of the spa’s indulgent facilities before sampling the delights of Awaji cuisine, namely its fresh seafood, which is served all throughout the day. The night lounge  serves a select collection of liquors well into the evening.