Sheraton Kagoshima

The Sakurajima view is worth paying a little extra for. Seeing the volcano at sunrise was a treat, and the deluxe room was spacious and modern. The onsen was a nice extra, with both indoor and outside/open-aid baths. Service was high-end, with good omotenashi (hospitality), and staff greeted us as we came and went. The concierge helped us book at a popular kurobuta shabu shabu restaurant. This is probably one of the nicest hotels you can stay at in Japan outside Tokyo. A few things could be better: clothing sanitizer/deodorizer wasn’t provided as standard, and we had to ask the front desk. The location is okay, about a 15-20 minute walk to Tenmokan and Kagoshimachuo station. There’s an A-Coop supermarket next door and a Fami across the street for anything needed after 21:00. Parking costs ¥1,500 a night, which is relatively expensive, and the garage has terrible reviews, though I found much cheaper nearby parking. The Kagoshima winter tourist campaign budget at the Sheraton had run out as of 12/19/2025, so the 20% discount on your stay was no longer available. We’ll stay at Sheraton again next time we’re in Kagoshima.

I had a very good time here. My room was the largest I’ve personally had in Japan, with a comfortable bed and a superb view of Sakurajima volcano. The buffet restaurant is good for dinner. How convenient the location feels depends on what you want to see, but I found it a bit far from the train station by public transport.

The Sakurajima volcano view was breathtaking from our upgraded Sakurajima suite. We checked in through the club lounge, and the room was spacious, with two bathrooms, a separate bedroom, and button-controlled blinds and shades. The lounge staff arranged a private corner for our party of six, a nice gesture. It was well stocked with a good selection of evening appetizers and alcoholic drinks. The free shuttle runs between the hotel and JR station, and we used it often on rainy days since that’s where most of the action is. It made for a great stay at the Sheraton Kagoshima.

From our room, we could watch the changing view of Sakurajima island in comfort, and it was stunning. Be sure to book a room facing the island. The hotel also makes getting around easy, with a free shuttle to the main train station twice an hour, about a 10-minute ride, a city tram in front, and a large supermarket next door. The breakfast buffet had plenty of Japanese and Western options, including cereal, eggs cooked to order, rice, congee, bread, and daily specials. The on-site restaurants Satsumagma and Flying Hog Grill offer excellent value. We also want to recognize concierge Karen and Ioanan for their great recommendations and service. They made us feel at home and were patient with our requests.