What I remember most from my earlier stay in Kikumanyō at Hotel Shiragiku is the kindness of an experienced nakai, a traditional Japanese room attendant. This was a hotel, yet the warm hospitality felt like that of a ryokan. That memory is why I want to recommend Shiragiku.
Kikumanyō comprises five rooms with private, continuously flowing hot-spring baths. Three have a single-level layout and an indoor bath; two are maisonettes with a semi-open-air hinoki cypress bath reached by stairs. The bathing arrangements and floor areas differ within this small collection.
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Three Indoor Baths, Two Semi-Open-Air Baths Upstairs
The single-level rooms have separate Japanese-style and Western-style spaces. Hanakatsumi (Room 608) and Haruna (Room 612) each measure 80 square metres. Yamatachibana (Room 611) measures 112 square metres, adding 32 square metres over the other two.
Shuka (Room 610) and Yumizukiha (Room 615) are 78-square-metre maisonettes. Their semi-open-air hinoki cypress baths are upstairs, so you will use the stairs each time you bathe. If that is a concern, particularly at night, consider the single-level rooms first. A single-level layout does not, by itself, establish that a room is step-free.
Kikumanyō’s private baths can be used at any time during your stay. The hotel describes its spring as bicarbonate water and explains that water is added to adjust the temperature.
On some dates, Expedia may show only regular rooms. If you want Kikumanyō, check the listed room name and whether it has a private hot-spring bath so that you do not book a different category by mistake.
A Separate Stay in a Regular Room
On a more recent trip, I stayed in a regular room. When my husband had an upset stomach, the kindness of the attendant and other staff added to my trust in Shiragiku. This was a different visit from my earlier Kikumanyō stay.
During a celebration and group trip, I have also been given a private dining room while staying in a regular guest room. I do not mean to present either kind service or private dining as something exclusive to Kikumanyō.
Dinner at Kikusaika Depends on the Meal Plan
The hotel’s current Kikumanyō information describes private dining rooms at its Japanese restaurant, Kikusaika (菊彩香), for guests who choose a stay with dinner included.
When booking through Expedia, check not only whether dinner is included but also the venue and meal details in the selected plan. The hotel’s description does not mean that the same dinner arrangements are included in every Expedia rate.
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Two Bathing Areas and a Garden-Facing Rest Space
As well as their private bath, Kikumanyō guests can use the hotel’s shared bathing areas. Kusu Yudono has an indoor bath beneath a cypress lattice and steeply pitched timber roof, plus a large outdoor bath. Kiku Yudono has a garden outdoor bath and the bubbling Blue Grotto bath.
(Paid link)The shared baths open from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. and again from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. The men’s and women’s assignments alternate daily. To try both areas, ask about the day’s allocation and changeover when you arrive, then fit bathing around dinner and breakfast.
(Paid link)On the first floor, Tsuru is a post-bath rest space facing the Japanese garden. The hotel’s facilities guide lists complimentary ice pops and detox water here. This is a hotel facility available to guests in regular rooms too, rather than a Kikumanyō-only space.
(Paid link)Breakfast at Garland 12
Breakfast is served at Sky Dining & Lounge Garland 12, overlooking Beppu’s streets and bay. The hotel lists more than 80 buffet dishes, served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. The open kitchen prepares omelettes and toriten chicken tempura; the selection also includes ryūkyū, an Oita dish of seasonal fish marinated in soy sauce.
(Paid link)More than 15 pastry-chef-made sweets are offered, including macarons, canelés and Oita’s local jiriyaki sweet. If you are deciding whether to include breakfast, consider whether your departure plans fit the 7–9 a.m. service.
Among the breakfasts I have had at Shiragiku, I particularly enjoyed the Hinohikari rice from Ajimu in Oita Prefecture. The ryūkyū and kabosu juice were delicious too.
Arriving in Time for the Afternoon Lounge
The welcome lounge at Garland 12 runs from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. The hotel describes it as a complimentary service for individual overnight guests, with herbal tea, homemade sweets, local sake and snacks. If you plan to keep sightseeing until late afternoon, consider whether you will arrive in time to use it.
The hotel gives a walking time of about seven minutes from JR Beppu Station’s west exit, while Expedia gives an estimate of 12 minutes. Allow extra time with luggage. A local bus from the west exit also serves the Hotel Shiragiku-mae stop.
During one of my stays, limited quantities of “Yonayona Pudding” were also handed out in the lobby lounge. Ask on arrival whether this is still offered.
Why I Would Choose Kikumanyō Again
I was treated kindly during my stay in a regular room as well. Even so, if I were recommending a stay at Shiragiku, I would choose Kikumanyō. On that earlier visit, I experienced the kindness of the attendant and the warmth of a ryokan within a hotel.
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