Kagoshima isn’t the southernmost metropolis in Japan—not by an extended shot—even when it’s the furthest-south main metropolis whenever you solely contemplate the nation’s 4 primary islands.
It’s, nonetheless, house to Japan’s most southerly and westerly Shinkansen depot, nonetheless, which is why I’ve all the time considered it as being “the place Japan ends.” Getting into Kagoshima-chūō-eki, when the automated voice onboard a Mizuho or Sakura publicizes that you just’ve reached the terminal station, it actually feels prefer it.
The excellent news, after all, is that regardless of any geographical “finish,” the hub of southern Kyushu is unquestionably a spot to get the proverbial social gathering began. My run-down of issues to do in Kagoshima explains how.
Why So Many Vacationers Skip Kagoshima
I’ve a tough time believing that you could possibly concentrate on what to do in Kagoshima and nonetheless not come right here. It’s not a boring metropolis by any stretch, and is debatable one of the distinctive in Japan for guests. Somewhat, the primary subject is a logistical one. There are solely two life like methods to get right here: By airplane (which lands you at an airport nearly an hour from town heart); or by practice, which requires a number of hours from anyplace on Honshu, even onboard a super-fast Shinkansen.
Even for vacationers who make it this far south, Kagoshima itself is usually a waypoint (because it was for me, on my very first journey to Japan), reasonably than a vacation spot you sleep at evening. Again then, I’d merely stopped on the town for a short time on my approach to catch a ferry sure for Yakushima island, and ended up bypassing town heart fully on my method again, after I flew. Irrespective of which method you slice it, Kagoshima is a metropolis that simply appears simple to skip.
My Favourite Issues to Do in Kagoshima Metropolis
Begin at Sengan-en
I have to qualify this part, as I’m a photographer. I say “begin” at Sengan-en (a panorama backyard that dates again to the time when the Satsuma area dominated over this area) witht he assumption that you’ll arrive in Kagoshima after mid-day. It’s at the moment that the lighting can be optimum to account for the backyard’s biggest asset—particularly, the it “frames” Sakurajima hovering over it.
Discover the Tenmonkan space
On the opposite, you will be barely extra agnostic about the place on the listing of Kagoshima issues to do you place Tenmonkan. Formally, this phrase refers back to the shotengai (coated buying road) simply north and south of the primary practice line, which homes a lot of Kagoshima’s finest eating places. Nevertheless, I additionally use it to explain town heart usually, together with historic Yamakataya division retailer.
Benefit from the view from Shiroyama Observatory
Passing the division retailer heading northward from Tenmonkan, to make sure, will ultimately take you to Shiroyama Observatory—properly, not less than when you dangle a proper the place Google Maps tells you to. If not, then I’m actually undecided the place it’ll take you! Regardless, whether or not from the observatory or from the consolation of a room on the close by Shiroyama Lodge, that is the very best place to see Sakurajima rising above town heart. It nearly evokes Naples, Italy from this angle!
Take the ferry to Sakurajima
It merely isn’t a Kagoshima journey until you really go to Sakurajima—not, taking a look at it (and, much less ideally, inhaling its ash) isn’t sufficient! So far as what you do after you journey the ferry over, that can rely. On foot, you’re possible restricted to a hike as much as Yunohira Observatory. When you have a automobile, in the meantime, you could possibly drive to Arimura Lava Commentary Deck and the Kurokami Shrine “buried” torii.
Pattern native flavors
Earlier, I discussed the standard of eating places throughout the Tenmonkan space; now I’d like to say a few the meals you’ll be able to strive. When you’re craving one thing savory, duck into certainly one of many eating places serving kurobuta (black pork), an area Kagoshima specialty—I like it served as tonkatsu. On the candy aspect, the shirokuma (actually “white bear”) is an area tackle Japanese shaved ice that’s the proper antidote to a Kagoshima summer time day.
Don’t Neglect the Remainder of Kagoshima Prefecture
Though you may even see one or two of its different locations as day journeys from town, I encourage you to contemplate the remainder of Kagoshima prefecture individually—and deliberately:
- The Kirishima Onsen space is fascinating (although maybe not as a lot in order Beppu up in Oita), with Mizonokuchi Cave an fascinating close by cease when you don’t have time for warm springs.
- A highway journey onto the Satsuma Peninsula is an absolute spotlight, not solely within the context of Kagoshima-ken, however in Japan as a complete.
- You may highway journey all the best way right down to Cape Sata, the southernmost level of Japan’s 4 primary islands, or as a substitute over to Miyazaki prefecture.
TIP: Be sure that to take a look at my Kagoshima prefecture journey information, when you haven’t completed so already as you’ve seemed round this web site.
Different FAQ About Visiting Kagoshima, Japan
How can I get to Kagoshima from Tokyo?
From Tokyo, probably the most life like approach to attain Kagoshima is to hop a 90-minute nonstop flight from Haneda Airport. Do bear in mind, nonetheless, that you just’ll have to take a ~one hour bus journey into town after you land. Alternatively, you’ll be able to journey a Shinkansen Nozomi to Fukuoka’s Hakata Station and join there to a Shinkansen Mizuho practice sure for Kagoshima-Chuo Station, with a complete journey time of round seven hours.
What’s there to do in Kagoshima?
Kagoshima is without doubt one of the most underrated cities in Japan. Along with having fun with views of Sakurajima volcano, which accurately towers over town, you’ll be able to eat your method by the Tenmonkan buying arcade, and make day journeys onto the Satsuma Peninsula or as much as Kirishima Onsen.
What’s Kagoshima well-known for?
Kagoshima is known for a number of issues, amongst them being house to Sakurajima (Japan’s most energetic volcano), meals embody scrumptious kurobuta pork and the truth that its primary station (Kagoshima-chuo Station) is the “final” Shinkansen Station in Japan. Nevertheless, Kagoshima actually isn’t all that well-known within the grand scheme of issues, which is a part of why it’s such a delight to go to.
The Backside Line
I hope my round-up of issues to do in Kagoshima evokes you to make the journey to the place Japan ends. I fall extra in love with town each time I go to—every journey to Kagoshima precludes an more and more swift return. I really like taking in views of Sakurajima (however not inhaling its ash, not a lot) as a lot as I get pleasure from traipsing by the Tenmonkan buying arcade, and savoring native delicacies like succulent kurobuta pork and refreshing shirokuma shaved iced. Want customized assist integrating Kagoshima into your bigger journey to Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary, and let me raise your burden.