Things to do in Kagoshima – Japan’s Friendliest City

In this report, we will glance at some of the greatest items to do in Kagoshima. Japan is a location compared with any other. With its wonderful good, fascinating society and attractive mother nature, it is any traveller’s desire.

Most initially-timers determine to take a look at Tokyo or Kyoto, but if you are looking for a extra tranquil and laid-again place, finding Kagoshima is a will have to. Loaded with a myriad of sights, fantastic museums, and fantastic browsing opportunities, it is a town value going to. Right here is a record of our favorite points to do in Kagoshima.

Prime Locations to Take a look at in Kagoshima

Hike around Sakurajima Island and Volcano

Sakurajima peninsula, which made use of to be an island, has grow to be the symbol of the town and is one of the top factors to do in Kagoshima. When the volcano erupted in 1914, it connected with the Osumi Peninsula. Presently, Sakurajima is an fantastic position to go hiking and get up shut and personalized with a reside volcano.

Sakurajima is also house to a visitor centre and present store, onsens, and a wonderful foot bathtub heated by the volcano. There are also seashores lined in volcanic rock (and a few sandy stretches way too).

Valuable Tip: Really do not be an idiot like I was, and buy a piece of volcanic rock from the gift shop only to obtain the close by shorelines covered in it!

The greatest way to explore the gorgeous spot is by automobile. Nevertheless, if that’s not what you favor, you may perhaps also check out Sakurajima by going for walks, leasing a bike, or hopping on a sightseeing bus that goes around the complete volcano and stops by some of the most amazing sites and sights this kind of as Akamizu Observatory and Yunohira Observatory.

Hop on a ferry

While likely on a hike will be an knowledge unlike any other, all those who want to discover the Sakurajima Volcano, but really do not want to shell out a day strolling all-around, can take a scenic trip by hopping on the neighborhood ferry. Basically head to the Kagoshima Harbour and be well prepared for gorgeous environment.

Most ferries work just about every day, and the journey shouldn’t consider extra than 15 minutes, but it is one particular of the most amazing methods of experiencing the volcano and the gorgeous views Kyushu is known for.

Go on a prepare experience

Kyushu and its close by spots are recognised as remaining 1 of the most scenic in all of Japan. That is why having a train experience should really certainly be on your vacation itinerary.

With Japan’s most famous railway, Hisatsu Line, you can uncover the most wonderful neighbouring sections of the town, these types of as Hitoyoshi, and Yoshimatsu. Additionally, trains in Japan are comfy, hence you are assured to have a pleasurable working day excursion anywhere you decide on to go.

Pay a visit to Sengan-en (Senganen)

Even if you have by no means been to Japan, you have undoubtedly heard of samurai. To master much more about their earlier, system a visit to Sengan-en – the former residence of the Shimadzu spouse and children, which was designed by now in 1658. Presently, it is a UNESCO Planet Heritage Internet site and is definitely an remarkable position to see.

What helps make Sengan-en so exclusive is the fact it is also Japan’s oldest remaining stone manufacturing unit. Most travellers investigate the home to admire its magnificent gardens and acquire in the unbelievable watch of Sakurajima.

End by the Shiroyama Observatory

Are you wanting for the very best sights of Kagoshima? Then preparing a pay a visit to to the Shiroyama Observatory should really be on your vacation bucket list. 1st, get its going for walks trail up the best of Mount Shiroyama. Then, walk around the Shiroyama park, which has a historical importance – it was the location where the struggle of the Satsuma Rebel took area far more than 130 a long time ago.

Major Idea: Head to the park right before sunrise for an outstanding display as the sunshine will come up guiding Sakurajima! Unquestionably a person of the most effective things to do in Kagoshima!

Get impressed at the Kagoshima City Museum of Artwork

To get your day by day dose of lifestyle, make certain to prevent by the little Kagoshima Town Museum of Artwork. There you will obtain a assortment of breathtaking Western-style works by the neighborhood artists.

Among the amazing artwork, you will also detect paintings by Renoir, Picasso, Monet, and Warhol. Really don’t overlook to order souvenirs to provide again dwelling to your beloved kinds – in the museum, there are a great deal to pick out from.

Have a working day at the Lake Ikeda

There is practically nothing much better than spending a working day in character. When sightseeing in Kagoshima, keep in mind to consist of Lake Ikeda in your strategies. Set in the southern section of the metropolis, the most prominent volcanic lake on Kyushu Island will undoubtedly steal your coronary heart.

The impressive yellow flower field alongside the drinking water would make it even additional special. Take in all the attractiveness and let all of your anxieties drift away.

Go to Yakushima Island

If you have arrive as significantly as Kagoshima, then I would extremely propose likely a minor farther south and heading to the gorgeous island of Yakushima. This smaller, densely forested and mountainous island is a playground for mother nature lovers.

Yakushima is property to beautiful shorelines exactly where loggerhead turtles come and lay their eggs every single spring (so be sure to spend focus to the symptoms and never disturb them). There are quite a few mountaineering trails in the interior ranging from day hikes to multi-day hikes.

Yakushima is most popular for its Yaku Sugi trees and in truth is the website of the world’s oldest tree, Jomon Sugi, at about 7,000 a long time old.

There are each day sailings between Kagoshima and the ports of Anbo and Miyanoura on Yakushima. The Hydrofoil can take around 4 hrs and there is also a automobile ferry assistance and even an right away container ship that you get (very suggested for the certainly adventurous traveller). See my article about the Yakushima ferry providers here.

Kagoshima Food items and Drink

Two of the most well-known Kagoshima foodstuff are Kurobuta (black pork) and satsuma oranges, which can be identified escalating across the region.

Love the local cuisine at Kagomma Furusato Food items Village
Japan is well-known for its excellent food items. You have almost certainly tried out sushi at the very least once in your everyday living, but there is so considerably much more to explore and flavor. The finest spot to do it is the Kagomma Furusato Food Village which capabilities additional than 25 food stuff stalls giving yummy regional goods.

Opened now in 2012, it has turn into a liked vacation spot for both equally travellers and locals. Simply just pick a booth that catches your eye and just take your flavor buds on an enjoyable journey.

Taste Kagoshima’s Kurobuta (black pork)

To those people who are not from Japan, black pork might appear to be strange and uncommon. But don’t let it scare you! When traveling to Kagoshima, not attempting the popular meal is a crime. If you have the chance, the best location to taste the black pork is in Aijmori, a perfectly-acknowledged Japanese cafe.

Generally, it is served in the shabu-shabu design and style, which signifies the meat is cooked in boiling drinking water. In some restaurants, you will see that also vegetables are included to the blend.

An intriguing simple fact Kurobuta arrives from the British Berkshire pig breed!

Try shaved ice at Tenmonkan Mujaki

Immediately after owning a comprehensive day of sightseeing, you will surely want to sit down and wind down a little bit. The very best position to do it is Tenmokan Mukaji, a well known eatery nestled in the Tenmonkan procuring district. What would make the spot so unique is its shaved ice desserts.

Some people vacation from metropolitan areas hundreds of miles absent and stand in prolonged strains just to flavor the yummy treat. The dessert generally attributes Kagoshima condensed milk and vibrant fruit on best, producing it a sensational experience for your style buds.

Style the community consume

If you are a enthusiast of vodka, you will certainly appreciate Kagoshima’s version of the well known drink – shochu. Manufactured from sweet potatoes, it is cherished by both equally visitors and locals. Commonly, the liquor is eaten by mixing it with sizzling h2o.

Even though it may seem to be like an strange blend, the warm h2o is applied to launch deeper flavours. Shochu, often also termed imo-jochu, can be observed in pubs and cafes all over Kagoshima.

Obtaining to Kagoshima

Kagoshima is situated on the southern suggestion of the southern island of Kyushu. It is nicely linked to big cities across Japan by air, rail and bus.

There are day by day buses and trains from Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Aso, Beppu and much more.

It is doable to just take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kagoshima with two transfers at Osaka and Fukuoka.

Kagoshima is a port metropolis with sailings to and from the nearby islands of Nishinoomote (property of the room start site) and Yakushima. There are even sailings to Okinawa, Japan’s farthest territory. Kagoshima Port and Kagoshima station are in going for walks distance of every single other.

From South Korea you can acquire the rapidly hydrofoil ferry from Busan to Fukuoka and then onto Kagoshima!

Acquiring Around Kagoshima

Central Kagoshima is effortlessly navigable on foot, but there are also trams and buses to get to places a minimal farther afield. Kagoshima Chuo Station is within just walking length of the port and most main sights in the metropolis.

There is a ferry provider in between Kagoshima and Sakurajima running hourly every single working day.

Areas to Keep in Kagoshima

A very good spending budget option is the Washington Hotel Plaza which is halfway among the station and the port, and inside of strolling length of all the important Kagoshima attractions.

Kagoshima Weather conditions

Spring temperatures variety from about 12 to 20 Celsius with reasonable rainfall.

Summers are very hot and humid offered Kyushu’s temperate humid local climate. Temperatures can go up to 35 Celsius and the evenings can be very hot and sticky.

June to Oct is the monsoon period, with July and August being the wettest months. August is also the sunniest thirty day period.

Autumn, which starts off from October is the driest year with temperatures averaging 15 to 20 Celsius.

What is the Most effective Time to Visit Kagoshima?

If you want to see the cherry blossom, April is the ideal month, having said that it is achievable to see a exclusive early-blooming range from late January as a result of to April at Senganen.

The sea all around Kagoshima is warm ample to swim in summertime, but you may perhaps have to set up with the frequent downpours.

Autumn (drop) is 1 of the best times to go to presented the lack of rain and nevertheless warm temperatures.

Is Kagoshima Risk-free to Visit?

Japan is an very safe and sound state to stop by and Kagoshima is no exception. Violent criminal offense is incredibly rare and never usually specific at vacationers. That being mentioned, Kagoshima sits across the bay 8km from the lively Sakurajima volcano.

The very last big eruption was in 1914, but there are small eruptions nearly every day, sending plumes of ash substantial previously mentioned the peninsula. A warning method is in area and should a huge eruption be imminent, observe community guidance. More facts here.

Vacation Insurance coverage

It pays to guarantee you have suitable include for any vacation overseas. Given Kagoshima’s proximity to an lively volcano, it is doubly worth getting include in circumstance ideas are disrupted. Entire world Nomads deliver the fantastic policy for adventurous travellers. You can get a no-obligation quote listed here.

Conclusion

Kagoshima is a fantastic destination many thanks to its laid-back feeling, beautiful sights throughout the harbour to Sakurajima volcano and flourishing meals scene. The city can make an exceptional jumping-off point for exploring Japan’s lesser-known islands in the Pacific Ocean.