The Famous Hot Spring Shibian at Shibi Onsen Is Called “The Water of Gods”

A famous hot spring whose source is under Shibi Shrine

Shibi Onsen is located in Kagoshima prefecture’s Satsuma town. This is in the northern part of the prefecture, also known as Hokusatsu. There is a hot spring on the east side of the highest mountain in Hokusatsu (Mt Shibi, 1067 meters). Here you’ll find one gender-mixed bath and 3 Japanese ryokan inns. The atmosphere of an old hot spring village for health treatment is still very much alive. 
　


Shibi Shrine is located in the center of the village and the hot spring source is right under its sacred grounds. Local people refer to this hot spring as “the water of gods” because of where it comes from and because of its outstanding quality. There are many hot springs in Kagoshima, but it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Shibi Onsen is one of the most prominent ones. 

Every December plenty of persimmons are being soaked in this hot spring in a procedure known as “removing the astringency from the persimmons”. They’re served as a dessert in most of the inns. Extracting the astringency and making the persimmons taste sweet while they bear the fragrance of the hot spring’s sulfur is a local traditional which is often reported by public media and attracts many travelers to this place.

Shibian is the only forest inn with detached rooms in Shibi Onsen

Shibi Onsen spreads across a tranquil rural landscape. A wooden sign is placed next to the rice paddies. Take the mountain road into the lush green forest and drive for no more than 2 minutes in order to reach “Shiki no Mori Shibian” inn hidden between the trees. 


This inn consists of 6 separated cottages with 3 different room types, and is known for its hot spring facilities and Japanese meals. It’s quite popular also among Kagoshima citizens who often go there for the weekends. People come regularly all the way from Tokyo to relax in this peaceful hot spring inn in the mountains. Here you will forget about your daily worries and will spend a quiet countryside holiday. It’s a real paradise for every hot spring fan.

All you can hear is the sound of the nature and the murmuring of the hot spring stream

The room I booked had a single bed and a private terrace with an open-air bath. The hot water in this inn is a combination of the “water of the gods” from Shibi Onsen and the inn’s own thermal spring. When you enter the open-air bath all you can hear is the sound of the chirping birds, the light wind swaying the tree branches and the murmuring of the water stream. After bath it’s recommended to enjoy some leisurely time on the terrace. Relax and listen to the sound of the river flowing nearby.

Purify your body and soul with the “water of the gods”

This is a freely flowing hot spring. It feels soft and nice on your skin, almost as if the water embraces you. The hot spring has a pH index of 9.6 which means the water is high-alkaline. Once you try it, you’ll surely understand why some people take a long flight to return back here. 
　


The bath in your room can be used 24 hours per day. Purify your body and soul with the “water of the gods” coming straight from Shibi Shrine and flowing into the nature. This place is one of the prides of Kagoshima prefecture’s Hokusatsu region.