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A Magical Stay at Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure (高千穂 離れの宿 神隠れ): A First-Timer’s Guide to a Mythical Escape
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Japanese fairytale, let me tell you about my stay at 高千穂 離れの宿 神隠れ (Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure), or in this blog post I'll call it Kamigakure that is located in Takachiho, Miyazaki. This place isn’t just a ryokan—it’s a portal to another world, where mythology, nature, and luxury collide. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Japan or a seasoned traveler looking for something extraordinary to add to your next trip to Kyushu, this blog post will give you all the details (and a few laughs too, I hope!) to plan your own magical escape.
Content Overview
Why Takachiho? Let’s Start with the Mythical Vibes
Before I dive into the ryokan, let’s talk about Takachiho in case if you're a new reader or if you happened to miss my previous post about Takachiho (Part 1 here, and Part 2 here if you'd like to read them and find out about my itinerary!).
Takachiho is nestled in the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture, this town is steeped in Japanese mythology. According to legend, this is where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave, plunging the world into darkness until she was lured out by a raucous dance. Spoiler: the world got its light back, and Takachiho became a sacred place.
Today, Takachiho is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Takachiho Gorge and its iconic Kagura dances (more on that later). It’s a place where you can feel the spiritual energy—or as I like to call it, the “mythical WiFi”—connecting you to Japan’s ancient past.
While it's true that many who travel on a budget or seek convenience would seek day trips from Fukuoka or Miyazaki since it can be quite the driving distance, rest assured that Takachiho is worth at least a night, especially if you'd like to watch their night Kagura show (or known as Yokagura) to be more immersed into the local myths. So, we decided that it's the best to also indulge ourselves with impeccable service that will throw our worries and concerns away, and as a reward for a whole year of hard work by staying with Kamigakure!
The Ryokan: Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure (高千穂 離れの宿 神隠れ)
Now, let’s get to the star of the show: Kamigakure. The name itself, Kamigakure, means “hidden by the gods,” and trust me, this place lives up to its name. It’s the kind of ryokan that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret only a lucky few know about.
While there are many accommodation options in Takachiho ranging from modern and traditional lodgings, we decided to have a private hot spring experience being the top priority. So, for a more secluded experience, we booked our night at Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure. This renovated inn is surrounded by mountains and offers spacious rooms and an on-site restaurant serving local wagyu and seasonal dishes. It’s the kind of place where you can truly unwind after a long day of walking!
Also, if you’re a meat lover, you can’t leave Takachiho without trying Takachiho beef. Their high-quality wagyu is so tender it practically melts in your mouth—and Kamigakure offers just what we wanted to experience! While there are many ryokan that could get booked out even 6 months in advance, Kamigakure opens their bookings three months in advance. Knowing that we are visiting during public holiday and it was also peak traveling season, I made sure to keep checking the website so I can book as soon as possible! Luckily enough, we managed to book early with a plan that comes with A5-grade wagyu beef as sukiyaki!
The Room: Shion (紫苑) - A Ryokan That Comes with Private Onsen, Fusing Tradition with Modernity
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| A very happy me |
We stayed in the Shion room, which is described as a “spacious Japanese-Western style room perfect for girls’ trips or couples.” And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. To us, especially after a long day of traveling, the room was a sanctuary of elegance and tranquility. It a space where traditional Japanese aesthetics met modern comfort. If you’re traveling with a small group of friends (up to 4 person), this room is perfect. It’s spacious enough to avoid the “too close for comfort” vibe but cozy enough to feel like a luxurious slumber party!
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| Oh, the joy I was feeling when I saw the kotatsu! I can stay warm and toasty here without worrying about the electric bills! |
The room is named after the Shion flower, a purple blossom often mentioned in classical Japanese literature, the room’s design was inspired by the delicate hues of this flower, which can be seen more clearly from the bed! The room’s design paid homage to the Heian period, an era Murasaki Shikibu immortalized in her works. The subtle references to “紫苑の織物” (Shion no Orimono), a fabric mentioned in The Tale of Genji, were evident in the room’s textiles and decor.
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| The beds, decorated in themes of purple and Shion flower |
The color palette was a subtle blend of soft purples and muted tones, evoking the same sense of refinement and grace found in the works of Murasaki Shikibu, the famed author of The Tale of Genji. In her writings, Murasaki often used colors like Shion to symbolize beauty and nobility, and stepping into this room felt like entering a scene from one of her poetic descriptions. Staying in the Shion room was like living in a chapter of The Tale of Genji—a blend of beauty, history, and timeless elegance.
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| The extra futons, and yukata also comes in various sizes |
The room’s layout was a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western styles, creating a space that felt both timeless and contemporary. The tatami mat area was perfect for relaxing with a cup of tea, while the bedroom offered the comfort of modern bedding and futon, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The sliding doors and wooden accents added a touch of traditional charm, while the modern amenities—like the private hot spring bath—made it feel luxurious. It was a space designed to cater to every need, whether you were traveling with friends, as we were, or on a romantic getaway.
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| Indoor private hot spring bath - if you forget to close the sliding door, your bath is going to freeze you! |
Speaking of the private hot spring bath, it was nothing short of magical. The bath used sacred water sourced from the Tamare Falls in Takachiho Gorge, and soaking in it felt like a spiritual experience. The water was said to have healing properties, and as I immersed myself in its warmth, inhaling the scent of the wood along with the complementary herbal pack provided, I couldn’t help but think of Murasaki Shikibu’s descriptions of courtly life, where bathing was not just a physical act but a ritual of purification and renewal. The bath’s stone finish and the gentle sound of trickling water droplets added to the sense of serenity, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring, and a perfect daytime soak right before we set foot to the rest of our journey.
The Food: A Feast Fit for the Gods
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| This entire dinner is easily going to cost at least a few hundred ringgit if it's back in Malaysia... |
One of the best parts of staying at a ryokan is the food, and Kamigakure did not hold back. Our plan included both breakfast and dinner, and every meal was a masterpiece that left us wishing we could come back for more, and definitely more motivated to work harder for our next vacation!
Each component was a nod to traditional Japanese flavors, yet presented with a modern twist. By the end of the meal, I was not just full—I was deeply satisfied, both by the food and the experience. It was a dinner that celebrated Takachiho’s bounty and left me with memories (and a happy stomach) that I’ll cherish forever.
Dinner: A Seasonal Symphony
The dinner we had in Kamigakure was a multi-course kaiseki meal featuring local ingredients from Takachiho. Here’s a sneak peek at what we had:
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| I mean, look at the menu... I'm jealous of my past self as I'm writing this |
Both meals in Kamigakure are served in the ryokan’s restaurant, Shokusai, which had private dining rooms designed in a modern Japanese style. Every meal we're led to our designated room with our meal ready, so it felt intimate and luxurious—like we were dining in our own little world.
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| Appetizers |
Honestly speaking, dinner at Kamigakure was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece, a feast that felt like it was curated by the gods themselves. The meal began with an appetizer platter that was almost too beautiful to eat—almost. It featured delicate shrimp, smoky and rich duck, and earthy burdock root, where each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The bamboo shoot sushi was a revelation, with its subtle sweetness and crunch, while the konjac and amberjack added a touch of elegance to the spread. It was the kind of starter that made me excited for what was to come, and trust me, it did not disappoint.
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| Fish with fish roes are my favorite! I ate everything, bones included! (it's edible okay) |
The salt-grilled sweetfish with roe was another showstopper, its delicate flavor enhanced by the slight brininess of the roe. Next up was the vinegared dish, a refreshing interlude that showcased the ryokan’s commitment to seasonal ingredients. The grilled fish was perfectly flaky, paired with a tangy dried vegetable vinegar that balanced the richness of the fish.
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| Each time I hear 'refillable' my eyes sparkle with joy because I singlehandedly finished at least five bowls of rice here |
The bamboo gratin was a standout—comforting, and with just the right amount of crunch. Then, the sashimi came with slices of flounder and amberjack so fresh they practically melted in my mouth. Each piece was a testament to the skill of the chefs and the quality of the local ingredients, and they definitely made me wish I could achieve true financial freedom to enjoy this more often!
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| Boiled radish with maple leaf-shaped fishcake |
The boiled Japanese white radish was tender and subtly sweet, while the clear soup was light yet deeply flavorful, a perfect palate cleanser before the next act. The tempura (that we ate without taking a single photo for some odd reason) was wonderfully crispy, golden, and perfectly salted. The chef’s note to enjoy it as is was spot-on, as it didn’t need a single dip of sauce to shine.
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| The highlight of the dinner—Wagyu beef! |
Paired with Takachiho sukiyaki with our A5 Miyazaki wagyu beef, and a mix of refillable rice and Japanese red soup, it was a dish that felt both comforting and luxurious. This was also the reason I had so many bowls of rice and refilled our rice container not once, not twice, but thrice! Because the umami of the wagyu beef along with the sukiyaki soup were so appetizing that I felt the strong need to slowly savor them with rice to do it justice.
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| Local mango juice - a side order that we have to pay later during check out |
And of course, we had to also order some local specialty, highly recommended by the staff as well, so I ordered mango juice that is actually also from Miyazaki, and if you didn't know, Miyazaki's 'Egg of the Sun' is one of the, if not the most expensive mangoes, so I knew I had to give that a try and I truly have no words to describe the richness in its taste, as the creaminess and sweetness will definitely blow you away!
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| Our desserts |
While the meal should've concluded with a dessert, we were in a rush to the Yokagura show, so we didn't try it at the moment of our dinner hour. However, when we returned to our rooms, we found the visually stunning dessert carefully cling-wrapped and placed on our table, and it was just as delicious as it looked! The jelly was soft and chewy, the persimmon added a natural sweetness, and the jelly was a refreshing finish for the meal that got separated into two! The dining experience was truly satisfying, and this is definitely an understatement.
Breakfast: A Colorful Start to the Day
Breakfast at Kamigakure Ryokan was a delightful experience that perfectly complemented the serene atmosphere of Takachiho. As we were led to our room, seeing how the sunlight poured over the greenery in Takachiho like it's gently putting a veil over the scenery instantly brightened our moods even further, and our meal is already right on our table, awaiting us! (And no, they aren't cold, they actually allowed us to choose our mealtime so they can prepare everything and serve them perfectly!)
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| Look at the woven basket, so pretty... |
The meal began with a beautifully arranged seven small plates of side dishes served in a woven basket. Each dish was a colorful and flavorful representation of local ingredients, from pickled vegetables to delicate seafood. The presentation was so exquisite that it felt almost a shame to disturb the arrangement, but the flavors were too enticing to resist, and I was already starving because I totally forgot my midnight snacks in the car and was too lazy to retrieve them (that's on me, totally on me).
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| The little side dishes, and if I say I could write a whole paragraph just to express my love for the way they chose their wares that is so fitting and in such an aesthetic manner, oh the amount of thoughts placed here is immense! |
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| New day, new tea |
To accompany the meal, we ordered red tea, which was served with a piece of chocolate. This combination was the perfect way to start the day, offering a moment of indulgence that complemented the wholesome breakfast. The tea was fragrant and soothing, while the chocolate added a sweet note that lingered pleasantly.
Overall, the breakfast at Kamigakure Ryokan was a harmonious blend of tradition and taste. Every bite felt like a love letter to Takachiho’s local produce, and it was certainly a meal that left us feeling energized and ready to continue with our road trip to Aso and Kumamoto City.
The Service: Impeccably Attentive
While I personally speak Japanese and am capable of making my trip bookings easily thanks to the internet, I always make it a habit to communicate these to the hotel staff prior checking in:
- My estimated arrival time
- My car plate number (Upon receiving our rental car)
- My contact in Japan (e-mail address if I don't have a contactable JP phone number)
- Dietary restrictions and allergies (if meals are provided)
As we have made our travel itinerary with great detail, we can easily estimate the distance and time needed to know the time range we will be able to arrive at the hotel for check in. As soon as I got off the car and introduced myself (while my friends were getting our luggage out) they professionally led me to the reception counter and our check-in process went smoothly. They also offered to carry our luggage while guiding us to our room, and it was really helpful considering how much we carried with us throughout our trip, and our room was far into the end!
When I made my booking for our Yokagura spots, I also happened to enter Kamigakure's address as our lodging. I made a booking with Kamigakure without expecting transportation services between the ryokan to Takachiho Shrine because it doesn't seem like a long walk to the shrine, but boy I was so wrong! During the check-in process they attentively asked us if we are going to view the Yokagura, and as soon as I said yes they informed us about the free shuttle service, how convenient!
I've also mentioned about them sending our dessert to our room because we were catching our show, about how they have had my futon set while we were watching Yokagura, and I've also mentioned how much I love them confirming if we needed anything from now and then during our meals, and offered refillable rice to fill my insatiable tummy. But the one thing that truly amazed me in their service was how they took care of our car as well! As night gets really cold during late autumn in Takachiho, the temperature dropped to single digit and by the time we checked out, we noticed a windshield cover to keep our car windows undamaged. It was truly something we didn't think of when we rented our car, and we appreciated it very much!
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
If you’re planning a stay at Kamigakure (and you absolutely should), here are some tips to make the most of your trip:
- Book Early: This ryokan is popular, especially during peak seasons. I recommend booking directly through their official website to secure your spot if you speak Japanese, otherwise an English third party site such as Agoda would bring you more convenience and peace of mind.
- Pack Light: The ryokan provides yukata (light robes) and toiletries, and honestly speaking, if you're driving, just carry a smaller carry-on with your change of clothes along with your valuables and necessities while leaving the rest of the heavy clothing in your rental car would do! Do not leave valuable items unguarded no matter where you are!
- Try the Onsen: Even if you’re not usually an onsen person, the private hot spring bath is a game-changer. It's all about relaxation here, so why not trying it and making the most of your available facilities, especially when you can hoard it to yourself? p/s: Remember to take a shower and clean yourself thoroughly before using the onsen!
- Let them know your concerns: We asked for various recommendations in sightseeing as well as arrangements since we are foreigners, and Kamigakure patiently answered everything via our email communication! We also informed them our estimated arrival time and they were ready to receive us as soon as we parked our car. ^^
- Explore Takachiho: The ryokan is a great base for exploring the area. Don’t miss the Takachiho Gorge and Amano Iwato Shrine (Or read my blog posts for more places to visit in Takachiho: Part 1 here, and Part 2 here).
Final Thoughts
My stay at Kamigakure was nothing short of magical. From the luxurious room and divine food to the cultural experiences and natural beauty, it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this ryokan is a must-visit.
So go ahead, just stay here without worries, and let Kamigakure take care of the rest. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Ready to Book Your Stay?
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| 高千穂 離れの宿 神隠れ (Takachiho Hanare no Yado Kamigakure) |
If this post has convinced you to experience the magic of Kamigakure, I’ve got good news: you can book your stay through my Agoda referral link here. Not only will you get an amazing deal, but you’ll also be supporting my blog (and my future travels—win-win!). In the next post I'll be talking about my full experience with Yokagura, so stay tuned too! ;)
So, what are you waiting for? Have you visited Takachiho? Or are you planning your first trip? Let me know in the comments below!
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