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 Southern Japan is well known for its many spa
inns which has given foreign visitors many
incredible spa experiences. One famous
destination spa in Japan is the Miyazaki Ryokan
which is a multi-storey lodging located amidst
the steaming mineral waters of Unzen. This onsen
ryokan is located about 100 kilometers southeast
of Nagasaki in Kyushu. During the Edo Period,
Nagasaki hardly had any visitors except for a
few who came to this part of the world for trade
purpose and it was these travelers who brought
along with them the game of golf and it was not
surprising that the first golf course was opened
in Unzen in 1913. In the mid-1930s, Unzen was
designated as the first national park in Japan
and was named for the volcanic chain, Mount
Unzen. The Hells, jigoku, of Unzen Spa boil with
Photo: Miyazaki Ryokan in Unzen
geothermal activity. Women can be seen dipping
eggs into the waters to make enerations of Miyazaki women. Wearing the
famous obi-wrapped kimono, these women
gracefully showcase the long Japanese traditions
of artful entertaining. Taking up the task of
okami, they oversee design, service, flower
arranging and meal preparation. They provide the
very essential unique personal attention that
makes all their guests feel pampered and
important. Their most famous guest who have
stayed at this ryokan is Emperor Hirohito.
Located about 700 meters above sea level, Unzen
is refreshing throughout the year and has one of
Japan's most highly reputed deluxe onsen resorts. A
breathtaking view here is the hills of the Shimabara Peninsula which looks like a mosaic of
yellow, rusts, sage and khaki in autumn and
become a layer of white snow during the winter.
During the months of April and May more than one
thousand bushes in amazing azalea rose and pink
and purple and red can be seen at this onsen
ryokan. The glass walls of Miyazaki Ryokan
overlook a spectacular Japanese garden of white
stone, sculptural rock formations, ornamental
matsu pine, stone stupa and amazing waterfalls.
Fumes of sulfur, plumes of gauzy vapor can be
seen coming out from the pines and blossoms.
Miyazaki Ryokan is a
big inn with 98 rooms. Most of the rooms here
are typically Japanese-style type with shoji
paper dolls, tatami floors, low lacquer tables
with a hand-painted lacquer cha-dansu for
keeping tea cups and saucers. Some of the rooms
here are equipped with Western beds. For
visitors who are here specifically to enjoy the
natural spring bathing, they will be pleased to
know that there are two marble indoor hot
springs, two rock-rimmed open air baths for
full-moon viewing and three family-sized baths.
Some of the other facilities include a sauna, a
coffee lounge, meeting rooms and banquet room as
well as a karaoke room. Meals are served in a
dining room and there is even a Western
breakfast upon request. Travelers who are flying
in from Tokyo will land at the Nagasaki Airport.
From the Nagasaki Airport, Miyazaki Ryokan is
about one-and-a-half hour road trip. Despite the
long traveling hours, guests coming here are
guaranteed of a very relaxed and enjoyable stay.
Located at :
Unzen,
Kohama-cho,
Minami-Takagi-gun,,
Nagasaki-ken 854-062
Japan.
Telephone : 81 (0)957 73 3331
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