I’ve usually described Kagoshima as “the place Japan ends.” Which is smart whether or not you’re speaking concerning the metropolis or the prefecture: Each occupy the southernmost level of the southernmost of Japan’s 4 principal islands.
If Kagoshima is the place Japan ends, then the Satsuma Peninsula is the place Kagoshima ends. Certainly, regardless of being a wonderland of thermal sand baths, rolling tea fields and Samurai districts, this far-flung hantō is hardly identified amongst vacationers, whether or not international or native.
The excellent news is {that a} Satsuma Peninsula day journey within reason simple to take, assuming you’re already in Kagoshima and you have already got your individual set of wheels. The higher information? I’m concerning the lay all of it out for you right here.
The right way to Go to the Satsuma Peninsula
Attending to the Satsuma Peninsula from Kagoshima is simple, though I do must be frank about one thing: The one life like approach to go about that is to lease a automobile and drive. When you can theoretically journey public transportation to numerous locations (specifically Ibusuki), it’s not life like to see all those I’m about to record in a single day if you happen to’re having to rely upon trains, buses or ferries.
The Satsuma Peninsula can also be bigger than it seems, so I’ve a secondary suggestion—specifically, to verify and lease your automobile at the least the night time earlier than. This manner, you may set off as early as potential from town within the morning, and get to your first vacation spot (ideally, the Chiran Samurai district) lengthy earlier than another vacationers. Effectively, to the extent that a spot this far off Japan’s crushed path has vacationers in any respect.
My Favourite Locations to Go to on the Satsuma Peninsula
Chiran Samurai district
Coming from Kagoshima, Chiran is the primary logical cease—and it’ll kick off your journey in an unforgettable means. Should you’ve been to different Samurai districts like Kakunodate or Kanazawa Nagamachi, the cityscape may not be shocking. However, the relativel solitude attributable to Chiran’s inaccessibility will actually take you again in time.
Ibusuki sand baths
Subsequent up on the record of Satsuma Peninsula issues to do is the sand baths of Ibusuki. Situated proper on town’s seashore, these can appear intimidating. You need to pay for a session to be able to expertise it; it’s fairly actually not potential to dip your toes in and check issues out earlier than you make a dedication. There are different sand baths on the peninsula as nicely—I’m an enormous fan of the Yamakawa ones close to Kaimon-dake.
Ei tea fields
Crossing the Satsuma Peninsula from its east coast to its west coast, you’d be pressed to not discover the numerous dozens of tea fields extending in seemingly all instructions round Ei Station in Minami-kyushu Metropolis. These are a number of the most scenic tea fields in Japan, for my part. Particularly if you happen to drive as much as the Chabakken Hill viewpoint, which gives probably the most wonderful view of them.
Kaimondake volcano
Among the many the reason why? Kaimondake volcano (which, from a distance, resembles Mt. Fuji) rises above them. It is a landmark that doesn’t explicitly characteristic on most examples of a Satsuma Peninsula itinerary you discover on-line, however fairly actually looms giant above you as you drive round, comparable to from Nishi-Oyama Station, the southernmost railyway station in Japan.
Cape Nagasakibana
That is significantly the case heading to the very southwestern tip of the Satsuma Hantō, aka Cape Nagasakibana. Whereas I can’t lie that I want I might’ve been capable of keep till sundown—I couldn’t, as a result of time I’d organized to return my rental automobile in Kagoshima—however is was beautiful to go searching regardless. Watch this area, nevertheless, as I’ll be updating you as soon as I do get a sundown image right here.
TIP: Should you’re searching for a candy deal with within the Nagasakibana space, cease on the Ibusuki Mango Forest cafe. They actually grown their mangos on-site!
Is the Satsuma Peninsula Value Visiting?
As I defined within the introduction to this piece, the Satsuma Peninsula is one in every of my favourite locations I’ve ever visited, anyplace in Japan. Whether or not admiring tea fields en path to Cape Nagasakibana, or exploring practically abandoned conventional gardens amid the Samurai streets of Chiran, I really felt like I used to be off-the-beaten-path in a means that’s virtually inconceivable now, when that trite time period has misplaced a lot of its that means.
Now, what about extending your Satsuma Peninsula day journey right into a multi-day journey? I haven’t personally carried out this, although I might be very occupied with doing so sooner or later, below the precise circumstances. I think about having the ability to watch sunrises and sunsets on the peninsula, and waking up or going to mattress in any variety of its small cities. The prospect is alluring, to say the least.
Different FAQ About Visiting the Satsuma Peninsula
Why is the Satsuma Peninsula particular?
The Satsuma Peninsula is particular for each current and previous causes. Within the current day it has a diversified panorama, that ranges from distinctive thermal sand baths, to dramatic volcanic capes, to a few of Japan’s most scenic tea fields. Traditionally, it was a middle of operation for the Shimazu Clan, which on the time represented the furthest extension of the emperor’s sphere of affect.
What’s the temperature within the sand bathtub in Ibusuki?
The temperature of the sand bathtub at Ibusuki is between 50-55ºC, or about 122-131ºF. Though that is considerably hotter than the water in typical onsen, do understand that due to the granular nature of sand and the presence of attendants, you’re not in any hazard by “bathing” in it.
What number of days do I want on the Satsuma Peninsula?
I’ve personally solely ever carried out a day journey to the Satsuma Peninsula. Nonetheless, I may see there being advantages in spending an evening or two there, whether or not you select a single base like Ibusuki (which has probably the most motels), or cut up your self between there and Chiran or Ei.
The Backside Line
I hope you now have a clearer thought of learn how to take a Satsuma Peninsula day journey than you probably did whenever you landed on this publish. Whether or not it’s your first time in Kyushu otherwise you’re coming again for a second or third, this wonderland of tradition, delicacies and landscapes is likely one of the solely locations left in an more and more widespread Japan that actually feels “off-the-beaten-path.” Should you’re on the fence about going, I encourage you to get off that fence—and right into a rental automobile dashing westward from Kagoshima! Want customized assist placing your journey collectively! Fee a customized Japan itinerary at present!