Jomon no Yado Manten
8,3/10 Excellent - Based on 86 reviews
Jomon no Yado Manten occupies grounds on Yakushima, offering a mix of traditional ryokan accommodation and detached Slow House cottages. The property has about 39 rooms including Western twins, tatami rooms and standalone circular cottages; several room types include en-suite baths or whirlpool tubs. Located directly opposite the island terminal, the ryokan is a short walk from the airport and sits between the two main port towns, providing convenient access for arrivals, departures and day trips across Yakushima. This ryokan with onsen in Kagoshima combines access with a woodland setting.
The wellness area centers on natural hot-spring facilities with indoor and outdoor bathing, a public onsen and steam/sauna spaces; relaxation treatments and massages are offered. Communal rotenburo (open-air baths) sit alongside heated indoor pools and quiet relaxation rooms; non‑resident day visitors may have limited access at set times. Facilities serve solo travellers, couples and families, so expect shared bathing areas alongside rooms that include private baths where available. This ryokan with onsen in Yakushima, Kagoshima emphasizes bathing and recovery after island hiking.
Dining highlights local ingredients from Yakushima and the wider Kagoshima region, with evening set menus and a morning buffet featuring sashimi, grilled fish and seasonal produce. Practical amenities include 24-hour reception, free parking and island‑wide Wi‑Fi; car rental and bus connections are nearby for transfers to trails. The property is positioned for excursions to Shiratani Unsuikyo (about 20 km) and the Jomon Sugi trailhead (about 23 km), making it a practical choice for visitors planning hikes, dives or short stopovers on Yakushima.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Jomon no Yado Manten
Positive Reviews
Very helpful, attentive staff
Multiple reviewers highlight friendly, professional and helpful staff who go the extra mile — assisting with local directions, arranging taxis, accommodating dietary requests (including vegetarian meals) and offering late front-desk support.
Excellent onsen and bathing facilities
Guests repeatedly praise the hot springs: clean public baths with indoor and outdoor areas, sauna and cold pool options, long opening hours into the evening, and some rooms featuring private hot-spring baths — all described as relaxing and well maintained.
High-quality dinners and tasty local cuisine
Many reviews commend the dinner offerings — varied multi-night menus showcasing local ingredients, nicely presented meals, and staff effort to cater special diets; several guests described the food as a highlight of their stay.
Extremely convenient location
The property is described as literally across the airport and close to car rental services, bus stops and a supermarket — making it especially convenient for arrivals/departures and guests traveling by car; free parking is noted.
Clean, comfortable rooms and good housekeeping
Guests appreciate comfortable futons and beds, spacious room options (especially those with in-room hot springs), consistent housekeeping, in-room touches (snacks/tea) and useful amenities such as on-site coin laundry in the women’s bath area.
Negative Reviews
Mouldy or musty smell reported in some cottages/rooms
Several guests reported a musty or mould-like odour on arrival and visible mould in places (ceiling in one review). Some found airing the room and using an air purifier helped, but it impacted first impressions for a few visitors.
Limited morning onsen hours
Multiple reviews mention restricted morning onsen access (notably only around 6–8am), which conflicted with later check-out times and meant some guests missed a morning bath; several asked for extended morning hours.
Noise issues in some room types
A number of guests experienced noise problems — especially in tatami rooms without an en-suite hot spring (more street/room noise) or rooms that felt cold at night, which affected sleep for some visitors.
Some rooms feel small, dated or have practical drawbacks
A few reviews note that certain rooms are compact or show retro/older features; issues mentioned include an old noisy fridge, gaps under doors that felt unsettling at night, and absence of an elevator making stairs and luggage handling difficult.
Breakfast quality and dining availability concerns
While dinner is widely praised, some guests found breakfast average or repetitive (processed elements noted) after multiple nights. A few also reported difficulty securing dinner reservations on multiple nights due to full booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ryokan is directly opposite Yakushima Airport — only a short walk across the road, typically a minute or two from the terminal.
The property features public indoor and open-air hot spring baths, saunas and a spa/wellness area for massages and treatments.
Private in‑room onsens are not standard; the hotel has multiple public baths and you should contact the property in advance to ask about any private-bath bookings or availability.
Room capacities vary by room type (some rooms accommodate up to four adults); according to the property’s policy, children and extra beds/cribs are not available, so check room descriptions before booking.
There is no regular shuttle required because the hotel is steps from the airport; buses serve the island ports and taxis or rental cars are commonly used for transfers to/from ports and attractions.
Standard check‑in begins at 15:00 (3:00 PM) and check‑out is by 11:00 AM; confirm with the hotel if you need an early arrival or late departure.
Pets are not permitted on the property.
The property typically offers multilingual staff support, including English, and may also assist in other languages such as Chinese and Korean.
The ryokan has an on‑site restaurant, coffee shop and bar serving local Yakushima ingredients; breakfast is commonly offered buffet‑style, and the staff can accommodate dietary requests if notified in advance.
The ryokan is a convenient base for Yakushima highlights such as Shiratani Unsuikyo, Yakusugi Land and Yakushima National Park; most sites are reached by car or organized tours and typically take around 30–60 minutes depending on the destination.