Kagoshima, positioned on the southern tip of Kyushu, is an enchanting vacation spot primarily identified for its beautiful views of Mount Sakurajima, one of the energetic volcanoes in Japan. Kagoshima may be very wealthy in scorching springs too, which is ideal in case you’re seeking to mix nature with historical past and rest.
To your Kagoshima itinerary, I’ll spotlight the important thing points of interest and experiences based mostly on my current go to. I’ll embody the place to go to see Sakurajima in all its splendour, the place to remain so you’ll be able to take pleasure in an onsen expertise and one of the best actions within the metropolis.
Our 2 day Kagoshima Itinerary
We spent two days in Kagoshima Metropolis, which was simply sufficient time to see all of the sights, keep in an onsen lodge, and check out the native delicacies (extra on this beneath). Kagoshima has tons to do, and two days was lots for us to get by means of all of it.
Day 1 in Kagoshima
We determined to go to Kagoshima as a part of our newest Japan itinerary. We received the Shinkansen from Hiroshima, very first thing within the morning. It took round 2 hours and half-hour to succeed in Kagoshima Chuo Station.
From expertise, we advocate getting a bento field with you so you have got some meals en path to Kagoshima. It’s nonetheless a protracted journey very first thing within the morning. All foremost Japanese stations may have espresso retailers to seize a espresso as nicely. Do not forget that consuming and ingesting is allowed on the shinkansen.
Arrival (Resort Test-in)
We received to Kagoshima Chuo Station at 11am and made our solution to the lodge. We stayed on the Kagoshima Solar Royal Resort, and received a double room with Sakurajima view. The explanation for selecting this lodge is that it has an on-site onsen. It’s separated by gender, however the outside public bathtub has beautiful views of the Volcano. You possibly can see plumes of smoke popping out of the crater as you calm down within the scorching and mineral wealthy waters.
We left the bags on the reception and made our solution to discover lunch!
Lunch (Kagoshima Pork Tonkatsu)
For lunch, we went to Kuro Katsu Tei, a tonkatsu restaurant which specialises in Kagoshima Kurobuta (black pork). We all know there are different great eating places nearer to the lodge, however this specific restaurant got here advisable by a few of our Japanese buddies, so we actually needed to strive it.
It was price each penny. The black pork tonkatsu was very scrumptious and tender. We appreciated that the tonkatsu set got here with the standard sesame grinder to make our personal suri goma (floor sesame powder) which we might then combine with the tonkatsu sauce.
The workers spoke no English, however you’ll be able to simply level on the menu or say Kurobuta setto onegaishimasu.
Statue of Okubo Toshimichi (Lyons Park)
Full and pleased, we began making our method in the direction of the Shiroyama Park Statement Deck. En route, we handed the Statue of Okubo Toshimichi and the Lyons Park, which we actually preferred.
If you happen to like Japanese historical past, then you definitely’ll admire the story of this gentleman. Okubo Toshimichi was a key Japanese determine through the mid-Nineteenth century, identified for his pivotal position in modernizing Japan.
He was a samurai who initially opposed Western affect, however later acknowledged the significance of adopting Western applied sciences and governmental techniques to strengthen Japan. Okubo, together with different leaders from Satsuma and Choshu domains, labored to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate, which had dominated Japan for over 250 years.
The statue marks the doorway to Lyons Park, which is a small however stunning park alongside the Inari River, with cherry blossoms and several other meals stalls for Japanese meals.
Shiroyama Park Statement Deck
Subsequent on the listing is the Shiroyama Park Statement Deck which presents a few of the greatest views of Mount Sakurajima. The park is positioned about 107 meters above sea stage, so anticipate a little bit of a climb to get there. You’ll go by means of a residential neighbourhood earlier than reaching a set of stairs to take you to the highest. Alternatively, you’ll be able to seize the Metropolis Tram 2, however you’ll nonetheless must climb the steps to the park.
When you attain the park, there are bathrooms there in addition to a number of small stalls promoting souvenirs and snacks. The remark deck is a part of Shiroyama Park, which is traditionally vital as the location of the final stand of the samurai rebels through the Satsuma Rebel in 1877.
Cross the park, and also you’ll attain the Statement Deck, which presents a few of the most opulent views of Sakurajima. At Shiroyama Park Statement Deck in Kagoshima, you’ll discover benches the place you’ll be able to sit and benefit from the view of Sakurajima volcano. Sakurajima usually has small eruptions daily, so that you may see smoke popping out of the crater when you’re there.
Tenmonkan
Tenmonkan is a energetic spot in the course of Kagoshima the place you’ll be able to store and eat native meals. It’s filled with all kinds of locations, from eating places serving native dishes like black pork and fried fish desserts to cute retailers and cafés.
Begin with the Tenmonkan buying arcade, which is a conventional shotengai (lined buying avenue). I like to recommend sitting down for some freshly baked objects and a scrumptious smooth ice cream with charcoal or blueberry flavour.
One of the vital hanging parts of this buying avenue is the glass cupola that exhibits many stars and their corresponding zodiac indicators.
CenTerrace Tenmonkan
When you end with the Tenmonkan shotengai, head to the CenTerrace division retailer. This buying centre is for buying fans who’re searching for trend objects. There are some eating places and cafes right here too.
There are two parts to the CenTerrace I like to recommend: the Astronomical Museum Library positioned on the fifth ground and the Gachagacha Forest which is a maze-like house filled with capsule toy machines.
Dinner (Kagoshima Ramen)
Finish the primary day in Kagoshima with a hearty portion of Kagoshima ramen. We are able to advocate two ramen eating places: Yoshimiya Ramen Restaurant (in case you are near Tenmonkan) or Kirin Ramen Kagoshima (nearer to the lodge). Each are implausible and serve the Kagoshima broth which is obvious and lighter created from pork bones, rooster, and typically fish, simmered to create a flavourful but not overly wealthy soup. One other key function of Kagoshima ramen is the noodles. They’re normally skinny and straight.
Day 2 in Kagoshima
Sengan-en
Entry Price: 1600 yen (backyard, shoko shuseikan, palace) or 1000 yen (backyard, shoko shuseikan)
Opening Instances:9:00-17:00
Have breakfast at your lodge, then make your solution to Sengan-en, a historic Japanese backyard in Kagoshima, initially constructed within the seventeenth century as a residence for the highly effective Shimadzu household. It’s a stunning spot with a mixture of neat backyard areas, ponds, and superior views of the close by Sakurajima volcano throughout the bay.
The place can also be full of conventional Japanese picket buildings, supplying you with a peek into what life was like in Japan a whole lot of years in the past. I do advocate getting into to see how samurais used to stay previously. There are retailers the place you should buy native crafts and spots to seize a chunk of conventional Kagoshima meals.
Iso Seashore
Only a 5 minute stroll from Sengan-en, is the Iso Seashore, the most well-liked sandy seaside in Kagoshima. The seaside is ideal for a soothing morning with views of the volcano, or in case you’re adventurous by nature and need to do some kayaking or SUP.
There are native tour operators which concentrate on watersports. Please observe that typically swimming is forbidden due to the volcano exercise.
Ferry to Sakurajima
Make your solution to the Ferry Port (Google maps). You possibly can both stroll for about 40 minutes from Iso Seashore or seize an area bus (N1, N2 or N5).
Take the ferry to cross to Sakurajima Port. The journey is 15-20 minutes. Sakurajima Ferry operates 102 occasions on weekdays and 112 occasions on weekends and holidays.
The fare is round 200 yen, and also you pay once you arrive at Sakurajima Port. Please observe which you can solely pay with money or native IC Card (like Iwasaki/RapiCa Card). You can not pay utilizing bank cards, JR IC playing cards (Suica, PASMO and many others.) and foreign currency echange.
Entry Price: Freed from cost
Foot bathtub Opening Instances: Accessible from 9:00 till sundown
The Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park Footbath is a free outside foot spa proper on the foot of Sakurajima volcano, only a fast 5-minute hop from the place the ferry docks. The park is correct by the ocean, so that you get superb views of the water, the town throughout it, and the volcano itself. The foot spa is fed by a pure scorching spring that comes from deep underground, and it’s actually lengthy – really one of many longest footbaths in Japan!
It’s an amazing spot to sit back and calm down your toes, particularly in case you’ve been strolling so much. And the cool half is, you’ll be able to sit there soaking within the views of the volcano.
Simply keep in mind to deliver a towel with you, or you should buy a particular one from the customer centre or a close-by place known as Kokumin Shukusha Rainbow Sakurajima.
Lunch on Sakurajima
There will not be that many eating places on Sakurajima island, however I can advocate a pair with some nice native specialities.
Head to Minato Cafe and purchase their particular ash smooth serve ice cream. It is a vanilla ice cream with somewhat ash on it and a candy potato crisp. Don’t fear, they know volcanic ash will not be edible, so the “ash” is good powdered sugar that solely resembles volcanic ash. Additionally they promote rooster burgers and curry that are impressed by volcanic eruptions.
Another choice is the Ofukuronoaji shun restaurant, which sells extra conventional Japanese meals or Style Place Tadashi which is a small and intimate Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant (home-style meals).
Yunohira Observatory
Entry Price: Freed from cost
Retailers Opening Instances: 9:00-17:00
If you happen to actually need to see the volcano in all its glory, head to Yunohira Observatory. It’s up on the facet of Sakurajima and is the best place the general public can go, sitting round 373 meters up. From there, you may get an amazing view of the volcano and the Showa Crater, which has been fairly energetic since 2006.
Getting there may be a part of the enjoyable. You’ll must hop on the Sakurajima Island View buses to get to Yunohira Observatory. It’s a few 20-minute experience up a twisty mountain street. If you happen to’re like me and are susceptible to movement illness, I positively advocate getting a movement illness tablet for this journey.
Kagoshima Chuo Station (Amu Plaza Kagoshima)
It’s time to go again to the primary Kagoshima Chuo station earlier than your departure. I like to recommend having dinner right here or grabbing a bento field to your journey on the shinkansen.
Proper contained in the station, there’s a giant mall known as Amu Plaza Kagoshima. Close to the doorway, you’ll discover spots like Gourmand-Yokocho and Miyage-Yokocho for fast bites and a few final minute memento buying. It’s tremendous handy for anybody visiting Kagoshima, with buses and trams main you proper again right here.
A spotlight at Amu Plaza is the large Ferris wheel. It’s 60 meters throughout and lifts you up 91 meters, supplying you with an superior view of the town and Sakurajima volcano. Plus, it’s open till 10:45 pm, so you’ll be able to catch the town all lit up at evening as a final epic attraction in Kagoshima, earlier than leaping on the Shinkansen.
Whereas Kagoshima will not be as widespread as different cities in Japan, tourism in Kagoshima is selecting up so I like to recommend reserving your lodging upfront. There are a number of inns in Kagoshima which include public baths, and they’re all very affordable priced for Japan.
Attempt to examine the climate earlier than reserving your journey to Kagoshima to maximise your possibilities of seeing Sakurajima in all its splendour. We particularly made certain to go to on a sunny day.
Talking of sunny days, Kagoshima’s climate is way hotter than the remainder of Japan, as a consequence of its southern location. You’ll need to deliver your sunscreen and make use of all of the merchandising machines scattered across the metropolis to remain hydrated. Do deliver a hat when you’re at it, because the solar can get a bit harsh, particularly round midday.
Kagoshima is extremely international pleasant and we felt so welcome there. So many individuals tried to speak to us in Japanese and English. Do study a number of phrases in Japanese in case you can, as so many locals might be so excited to listen to you strive.
Kagoshima is gorgeous, however it is rather near one of the energetic volcanos in Japan: Mount Sakurajima. Eruptions are widespread so please familiarise your self with close by shelters and observe official directions if an eruption is imminent.
Often Requested Questions
What number of days ought to I spend in Kagoshima?
We spent 2 full days in Kagoshima and received to see the primary highlights, spent the evening in a lodge with an onsen and noticed the Sakurajima volcano up shut. It was the proper size for our Kagoshima itinerary. If you wish to take some day journeys from Kagoshima to Ibusuki or Kirishima Nationwide Park, prolong your journey to 3-4 days as an alternative.
Is it price going to Kagoshima?
Oh gosh, it’s so price going to Kagoshima! I cherished it a lot, with its laid again environment, extremely heat climate and beautiful views of the Sakurajima volcano. I didn’t anticipate to fall in love with Kagoshima metropolis a lot. It’s so completely different than different foremost cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Kagoshima is sort of a seaside vacation vacation spot with historical past, nature and nice meals!
