Kagoshima, positioned on the southern tip of Kyushu, is a captivating vacation spot primarily identified for its beautiful views of Mount Sakurajima, one of the vital lively volcanoes in Japan. Kagoshima may be very wealthy in sizzling springs too, which is ideal in the event you’re trying to mix nature with historical past and rest.
In your Kagoshima itinerary, I’ll spotlight the important thing sights and experiences based mostly on my latest go to. I’ll embody the place to go to see Sakurajima in all its splendour, the place to remain so you possibly can take pleasure in an onsen expertise and the perfect 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 resort, and check out the native delicacies (extra on this under). Kagoshima has tons to do, and two days was loads for us to get by all of it.
Day 1 in Kagoshima
We determined to go to Kagoshima as a part of our newest Japan itinerary. We bought 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 suggest getting a bento field with you so you’ve got some meals en path to Kagoshima. It’s nonetheless an extended journey very first thing within the morning. All essential Japanese stations can have espresso retailers to seize a espresso as effectively. Do not forget that consuming and ingesting is allowed on the shinkansen.
Arrival (Resort Examine-in)
We bought to Kagoshima Chuo Station at 11am and made our technique to the resort. We stayed on the Kagoshima Solar Royal Resort, and bought a double room with Sakurajima view. The explanation for selecting this resort 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’ll be able to see plumes of smoke popping out of the crater as you calm down within the sizzling and mineral wealthy waters.
We left the bags on the reception and made our technique 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 resort, however this specific restaurant got here really helpful by a few of our Japanese buddies, so we actually wished to attempt it.
It was value each penny. The black pork tonkatsu was very scrumptious and tender. We appreciated that the tonkatsu set got here with the normal sesame grinder to make our personal suri goma (floor sesame powder) which we might then combine with the tonkatsu sauce.
The employees spoke no English, however you possibly can simply level on the menu or say Kurobuta setto onegaishimasu.
Statue of Okubo Toshimichi (Lyons Park)
Full and glad, we began making our approach in the direction of the Shiroyama Park Remark Deck. En route, we handed the Statue of Okubo Toshimichi and the Lyons Park, which we actually appreciated.
Should you like Japanese historical past, then you definitely’ll admire the story of this gentleman. Okubo Toshimichi was a key Japanese determine in the course of 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 programs 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 lovely park alongside the Inari River, with cherry blossoms and a number of other meals stalls for Japanese meals.
Shiroyama Park Remark Deck
Subsequent on the listing is the Shiroyama Park Remark Deck which affords among the greatest views of Mount Sakurajima. The park is positioned about 107 meters above sea stage, so count on a little bit of a climb to get there. You’ll move by a residential neighbourhood earlier than reaching a set of stairs to take you to the highest. Alternatively, you possibly can 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 just a few small stalls promoting souvenirs and snacks. The remark deck is a part of Shiroyama Park, which is traditionally important as the location of the final stand of the samurai rebels in the course of the Satsuma Riot in 1877.
Cross the park, and also you’ll attain the Remark Deck, which affords among the most luxurious views of Sakurajima. At Shiroyama Park Remark Deck in Kagoshima, you’ll discover benches the place you possibly can sit and benefit from the view of Sakurajima volcano. Sakurajima typically has small eruptions on daily basis, so that you may see smoke popping out of the crater whilst you’re there.
Tenmonkan
Tenmonkan is a energetic spot in the midst of Kagoshima the place you possibly can store and eat native meals. It’s full of 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 purchasing arcade, which is a conventional shotengai (lined purchasing road). I like to recommend sitting down for some freshly baked gadgets and a scrumptious gentle ice cream with charcoal or blueberry flavour.
Some of the hanging parts of this purchasing road 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 purchasing centre is for purchasing fanatics who’re searching for trend gadgets. 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 stuffed with capsule toy machines.
Dinner (Kagoshima Ramen)
Finish the primary day in Kagoshima with a hearty portion of Kagoshima ramen. We will suggest two ramen eating places: Yoshimiya Ramen Restaurant (in case you are near Tenmonkan) or Kirin Ramen Kagoshima (nearer to the resort). Each are unbelievable and serve the Kagoshima broth which is evident and lighter made out of pork bones, hen, 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 often skinny and straight.
Day 2 in Kagoshima
Sengan-en
Entry Payment: 1600 yen (backyard, shoko shuseikan, palace) or 1000 yen (backyard, shoko shuseikan)
Opening Instances:9:00-17:00
Have breakfast at your resort, then make your technique 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 beautiful spot with a mixture of neat backyard areas, ponds, and superior views of the close by Sakurajima volcano throughout the bay.
The place can be full of conventional Japanese picket buildings, providing you with a peek into what life was like in Japan a whole bunch of years in the past. I do suggest getting in to see how samurais used to dwell up to now. There are retailers the place you should purchase native crafts and spots to seize a chew of conventional Kagoshima meals.
Iso Seaside
Only a 5 minute stroll from Sengan-en, is the Iso Seaside, the most well-liked sandy seaside in Kagoshima. The seaside is ideal for a soothing morning with views of the volcano, or in the event you’re adventurous by nature and need to do some kayaking or SUP.
There are native tour operators which specialize in watersports. Please be aware that typically swimming is forbidden due to the volcano exercise.
Ferry to Sakurajima
Make your technique to the Ferry Port (Google maps). You’ll be able to both stroll for about 40 minutes from Iso Seaside or seize a neighborhood bus (N1, N2 or N5).
Take the ferry to cross to Sakurajima Port. The journey is 15-20 minutes. Sakurajima Ferry operates 102 instances on weekdays and 112 instances on weekends and holidays.
The fare is round 200 yen, and also you pay whenever you arrive at Sakurajima Port. Please be aware that you would be able to 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.
Entry Payment: 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 true by the ocean, so that you get wonderful views of the water, town throughout it, and the volcano itself. The foot spa is fed by a pure sizzling spring that comes from deep underground, and it’s actually lengthy – truly one of many longest footbaths in Japan!
It’s an awesome spot to relax and calm down your toes, particularly in the event you’ve been strolling loads. And the cool half is, you possibly can sit there soaking within the views of the volcano.
Simply keep in mind to carry a towel with you, or you should purchase a particular one from the customer centre or a close-by place known as Kokumin Shukusha Rainbow Sakurajima.
Lunch on Sakurajima
There are usually not that many eating places on Sakurajima island, however I can suggest a pair with some nice native specialities.
Head to Minato Cafe and purchase their particular ash gentle serve ice cream. This can be a vanilla ice cream with a bit of ash on it and a candy potato crisp. Don’t fear, they know volcanic ash is just not edible, so the “ash” is nice powdered sugar that solely resembles volcanic ash. In addition they promote hen burgers and curry that are impressed by volcanic eruptions.
An alternative 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 Payment: Freed from cost
Outlets Opening Instances: 9:00-17:00
Should you actually need to see the volcano in all its glory, head to Yunohira Observatory. It’s up on the aspect of Sakurajima and is the best place the general public can go, sitting round 373 meters up. From there, you may get an awesome view of the volcano and the Showa Crater, which has been fairly lively since 2006.
Getting there may be a part of the enjoyable. You’ll should hop on the Sakurajima Island View buses to get to Yunohira Observatory. It’s a couple of 20-minute journey up a twisty mountain street. Should you’re like me and are vulnerable to movement illness, I positively suggest 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 in your journey on the shinkansen.
Proper contained in the station, there’s an enormous mall known as Amu Plaza Kagoshima. Close to the doorway, you’ll discover spots like Connoisseur-Yokocho and Miyage-Yokocho for fast bites and a few final minute memento purchasing. 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, providing you with an superior view of town and Sakurajima volcano. Plus, it’s open till 10:45 pm, so you possibly can catch town all lit up at evening as a final epic attraction in Kagoshima, earlier than leaping on the Shinkansen.
Whereas Kagoshima is just not as common 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 lodges 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 probabilities 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, on account of its southern location. You’ll need to carry your sunscreen and make use of all of the merchandising machines scattered across the metropolis to remain hydrated. Do carry a hat whilst 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 be taught just a few phrases in Japanese in the event you can, as so many locals will likely be so excited to listen to you attempt.
Kagoshima is gorgeous, however it is extremely near one of the vital lively 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.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What number of days ought to I spend in Kagoshima?
We spent 2 full days in Kagoshima and bought to see the primary highlights, spent the evening in a resort with an onsen and noticed the Sakurajima volcano up shut. It was the right size for our Kagoshima itinerary. If you wish to take some day journeys from Kagoshima to Ibusuki or Kirishima Nationwide Park, lengthen your journey to 3-4 days as a substitute.
Is it value going to Kagoshima?
Oh gosh, it’s so value 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 count on to fall in love with Kagoshima metropolis a lot. It’s so totally different than different essential cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. Kagoshima is sort of a seaside vacation vacation spot with historical past, nature and nice meals!