Travel Plan for First Timers in Kagoshima

Head to Mt. Shiroyama, a small mountain with plenty of Mother Nature of Kagoshima. The panoramic view of the city of Kagoshima from the observation point spreads out before you. It is also known as the site of the Satsuma Rebellion in modern Japanese history, and many historic landmarks associated with the great figure, Kagoshima-born Takamori Saigo, remain.

This was the settlement in Japan for English engineers who guided the construction of Japan’s first cotton mill in 1867 at the end of the Tokugawa Era. It has been registered as a World Heritage site as an extremely precious group of wooden Western-style buildings at an early stage of a new era.

A villa belonging to the Shimazu clan, an influential ruling family of the Edo Era. Explore the historic sites that exist on its large grounds and tour the palace (exterior) that was resided by the last feudal lord of the Shimazus, Tadayoshi Shimazu, as well as the Japanese garden with the island of Sakurajima in the background. Within the garden, there are several restaurants so lunch here is recommended.

Head for Sakurajima which is still an active volcano emitting smoke. You can reach the area by ferry from the city of Kagoshima in 15 minutes so it is popular as a tourist spot where you can easily savor Mother Nature. At the Sakurajima Visitor Center near the ferry port, you can obtain a variety of information on things such as the history and environment of the island.

The park is close to the Sakurajima Visitor Center. Within its large grounds, there is a foot bath which proudly boasts its 100m length as one of the largest such facilities in Japan. Soak your feet in the natural waters from Sakurajima and relax while taking your time to view the grand natural environment of the island. On the 3km trail connecting the park with the Karasujima Observation Point, you can take a walk while viewing the lava field.

Tenmonkan is Kagoshima’s foremost shopping district. Within this shopping arcade, there are fashion shops, cafés, movie theaters along with restaurants and souvenir shops specializing in Kagoshima fare. There are also many places where you can sample the famous kurobuta pork dishes and shochu.