Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima Premium Twin Room with Sakurajima View

Day 1 of a 4-day, 3-night trip to Kagoshima starts with a stay at Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima, known as the guesthouse of Kagoshima. The room is spacious at 53 square meters, and guests staying in premium rooms or higher can enjoy an upgraded executive breakfast, which features a Japanese set meal instead of a buffet—a delightful touch.

From Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Bus Center) to the hotel, a free 45-seater shuttle bus operates every 30 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM. I took the 3:30 PM shuttle, which stops at Tenmonkan before heading up to the hotel.

The shuttle is exclusively for hotel guests and restaurant patrons. Upon arrival, doormen at the hotel entrance assist with luggage and guide guests to the reception for check-in. Guests staying on the Premier Floor are directed to a dedicated check-in booth, allowing for a quick and seamless process.

The manager and two doormen personally escorted me to my room. Out of the 18 rooms located between the 5th and 10th floors, I was thoughtfully assigned to a top-floor room on the 10th floor, centrally located near the fountain—a gesture that truly impressed me.

The Premier Floor Sakurajima View rooms are the newest in the hotel, having undergone a complete renovation around 2022. The rooms boast excellent conditions and are comparable to junior suites in size. While the living and sleeping areas are not separated, the open layout provides a sense of spaciousness.

The area by the window next to the bed is designed with a sofa, offering panoramic views of Sakurajima and the ocean cityscape. This unique design adds charm and character to the room, making the experience memorable. The view from there was truly breathtaking.

The room features two windows, one of which is in the study area. This space is equipped with a large desk, a glass table, and an ergonomic chair, allowing guests to work comfortably while enjoying the Sakurajima view.

The bathroom is thoughtfully designed, with a toilet and sink near the entrance and a bathtub and another sink closer to the bedroom. Although the room is a studio layout, the two separate sinks make it convenient for families or groups of two or more. The sofa can be removed to accommodate an extra bed, allowing up to three guests to stay in the room.

Even for solo travelers, amenities such as capsule coffee and bottled water are provided in full quantities. The room also includes luxurious handmade welcome sweets. After exploring the room, I headed to the Club Lounge for afternoon tea. Access is granted by tapping the card key, and guests can enjoy the lounge freely.

The Club Lounge operates in three time slots: tea time from 3 PM to 5 PM, cocktail time from 5 PM to 7 PM, and night time from 7 PM to 9 PM. Alcohol is available starting at 3 PM, with the main difference between the slots being the food offerings. During night time, only light snacks are provided.

The hotel shuttle runs every 30 minutes and takes just 15 minutes to reach Tenmonkan, making it convenient for evening outings. I made two trips—one after cocktail time and another after night time—maximizing the use of the shuttle. I visited Starbucks, Don Quijote, and completed some fun missions like collecting manhole covers.

At night, while Sakurajima and the ocean are not visible, the city view of Kagoshima unfolds beautifully. The view includes Kagoshima Castle and the Ferris wheel near Kagoshima-Chuo Station, making it a prime spot for enjoying the night scenery. The hotel's location is truly exceptional, reminiscent of the Hilton in Namsan.

The onsen is open until midnight, so I made my last visit at 11:30 PM and enjoyed a morning soak at 6 AM the next day. Guests staying on the Premier Floor also have access to the gym, where I spent 30 minutes running. Though not large, the gym is elegantly designed.

The onsen is conveniently located near the gym, making it easy to follow a course of activities. However, reaching the onsen from the room requires two elevator transfers. The onsen area allows guests to wear pajamas and slippers from their rooms, but it takes about 4–5 minutes to walk there. 🤣

The reception area on the 4th floor serves as the main lobby, but there is also a 1st floor that feels like a basement. The hotel consists of three buildings, which explains the need for elevator transfers to reach different areas such as the west, central, and east wings. A FamilyMart is located on the 1st floor.

The convenience store operates from 7 AM to 11 PM, but I didn’t visit it as I rarely go to convenience stores. The hotel shuttle stops at the 4th floor and also makes a stop near the FamilyMart on the 1st floor when departing from the hotel—a unique route structure.

Breakfast starts at 7 AM. The executive breakfast requires prior reservation, and guests must select their preferred time slot. As I chose the earliest time, I was seated at a window table with a direct view of Sakurajima. Guests can choose from five types of rice dishes: plain rice, ochazuke, porridge, chirashi sushi, and unadon. I opted for unadon, as the eel looked particularly appetizing. Starting the morning with eel rice was a treat. 😍 Drinks are self-serve at the drink bar, but coffee and tea are brought to the table upon request.

After breakfast, I took a stroll around the hotel’s surroundings, starting with the Shiroyama Observatory near the 1st floor. At 8 AM, I took the shuttle to Tenmonkan, where I enjoyed a matcha cream frappuccino at Starbucks, served by a partner with a beautiful smile. I then crossed Central Park.

I collected a magma city manhole cover near the statue of Saigo Takamori and visited Kagoshima Castle. Inside the castle, the Reimeikan was hosting a miniature exhibition, which I explored. I also managed to snag a limited-edition 2026 calendar—lucky!

At 9:42 AM, I took the shuttle back to the hotel and prepared for a soak in the spacious bathroom, which is larger than my own apartment’s. After refreshing myself, I checked out at 10:20 AM. It was a wonderful staycation. Thank you!