SHIROYAMA HOTEL kagoshima, perched atop the historic hill of Shiroyama in Kagoshima City — the very site where Saigo Takamori spent his final five days — has launched a special stay plan ahead of the 2027 historical milestone: the 200th birth anniversary and 150th death anniversary of the Meiji Restoration hero. The plan, titled "Come to Shiroyama! A Time Trip to Kagoshima Loved by Saigo," went on sale April 10, 2026.
Three Themed Dinner Courses Inspired by Saigo Takamori
Each of the hotel's three restaurants has crafted a course menu drawing on stories and flavors associated with Saigo Takamori, expressed through their respective cuisines.
Shiroyama Gardens Suitenren — Saigo Don Kaiseki (9 Courses)
This Japanese cuisine restaurant presents dishes centering on Kagoshima black pork, said to be one of Saigo's favorite foods, prepared as "tonkotsu-ni" (braised pork) and "harihari nabe" (hot pot).
A fragrant grilled eel dish also features in the course, in reference to the well-known anecdote that Saigo loved eel so dearly he would share it with his dog.
French Restaurant Le Ciel — Saigo Don Dinner (6 Courses)
The French restaurant's menu draws on locally caught seafood and Sakurajima chicken — ingredients that Saigo, known as an avid angler, might have enjoyed. The appetizer presentation takes its visual cue from the silhouette of Sakurajima, the iconic volcano Saigo once gazed upon from his hometown.
Cantonese Restaurant Hisuitei — Saigo Don Course (6 Courses)
The Cantonese restaurant's course expresses Saigo's "strength and gentleness" through dishes such as chili shrimp and lightly sweetened Chinese steamed buns.
The main course features Kagoshima black pork prepared with Zhenjiang black vinegar (chinkou-kouzu), a traditional Chinese seasoning that brings depth and richness to the dish.
Three Saigo-Connected Plan Inclusions
Karukan Manju — Kagoshima's Iconic Confection
Guests receive a gift of karukan manju, a traditional Kagoshima wagashi that Saigo is said to have particularly enjoyed.
Admission Ticket to the Ishin Furusatokan Museum
The plan includes an admission ticket to the Ishin Furusatokan (Hometown of the Meiji Restoration Museum), an experiential museum dedicated to the heroes of the Satsuma domain and the history and culture of the Meiji Restoration era.
Hotel-Original Saigo Takamori Guidebook
A Saigo Takamori guidebook created especially for this plan by a hotel staff member — who is also a Saigo Takamori researcher in the hotel's planning and PR department — is included with the stay. The book covers Saigo's life, historic sites from the era of the Satsuma domain, and Kagoshima landmarks in an accessible format aimed at making the historic sites around Shiroyama more meaningful to explore.
Breakfast Buffet with Kagoshima Local Produce
The plan includes a breakfast buffet of approximately 80 Japanese and Western dishes made with seasonal local ingredients from Kagoshima. The spread includes hotel-made bread, local specialty dishes, and live kitchen items, served in a spacious dining area with views of the surrounding greenery.
Outdoor Hot Spring "Satsuma no Yu"
Access to "Satsuma no Yu," the hotel's rooftop outdoor hot spring, is included with the plan. Drawing from natural spring water 1,000 meters underground, it was ranked first in the nation in the "beautiful skin" category at the "Hot Spring Inn & Hotel General Election 2025." At an elevation of 108 meters, the bath offers sweeping views of Sakurajima and the Kagoshima cityscape below.
Plan Details
Stay period: April 10, 2026 (Friday) to September 30, 2026 (Wednesday)
(Excluded dates: May 1–4, July 14–15)
Price: From ¥16,500 per person per night with 2 meals (tax included)
Includes: Outdoor hot spring "Satsuma no Yu" access
Plan details and reservations: https://www.shiroyama-g.co.jp/stay/plan/detail_1040.html
Optional: Guided Shiroyama Walk with Historian Ryutaro Higashikawa
As an optional add-on, guests can join a guided walk of Shiroyama with Ryutaro Higashikawa, representative director of the NPO Kagoshima Tanken no Kai and a familiar face on television programs. Higashikawa covers the story of Saigo's final days and the geological history of the volcanic landscape in his characteristic storytelling style.
The stay period also coincides with two regional accommodation subsidy campaigns:
- Kagoshima Prefecture: "Southern Treasure Box — Summer Kagoshima Accommodation Discount"
- Kagoshima City: "Saigo Don's 'Come Fall in Love, Kagoshima' Accommodation Campaign"
Both campaigns are subject to availability and run during different periods.
