Kagoshima travel guide
As the southernmost major city in Kyushu, Kagoshima offers a stunning view
of Sakurajima, an active volcano with smoke and steam rising across
Kagoshima Bay. The city prospered as a castle town during the Edo period.
Today, Tenmonkan, its largest shopping arcade, is the perfect place to dine
on local cuisine—especially succulent meats—and enjoy a vibrant nightlife
filled with bars and restaurants.
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Sengan-en is the most famous garden in Kagoshima
Prefecture. It was built by a Shimazu lord in the 19th
century along the beautiful Kinko Bay. The garden contains
many historical artifacts that reflect its long history.
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Shoko Shuseikan Modern Industrial Complex / UNESCO World Heritage
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The Museum of the Classics, located here, exhibits a variety
of objects related to the Shimazu family and the Satsuma
domain. The stone building that houses the collection has
been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, part
of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution
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Shiroyama Park
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The park is most famous for the Shiroyama Observatory,
which offers spectacular views of downtown Kagoshima,
Kagoshima Bay, and Sakurajima.
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Sakurajima
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Sakurajima is the symbol of Kagoshima. Smoke and steam ri
se almost every day from Minamidake, an active volcano.
Formerly an island, it became connected to the Osumi
Peninsula in 1914 when a massive eruption closed the
channel between them. The island’s observation points
can be accessed by ferry.
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Sakurajima Ferry
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The ferry connects Kagoshima City and Sakurajima in
15 minutes and operates 24 hours a day.
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Chiran travel guide
Chiran is a small town in the middle of the Satsuma Peninsula. It is called a “small Kyoto”
and has a preserved Samurai district including a collection of Samurai houses
and gardens. Another interesting place to visit is the Chiran Peace Museum.
Chiran Samurai Residence
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Those Samurai Houses were built about 250 years ago. Their
gardens are beautiful designed, with Mt. Hahaga-dake as the
background. Other natural elements are also incorporated, making
the whole area resemble a series of miniature of Japanese
gardens housed in boxes.
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Chiran Peace Museum for the Kamikaze Pilots
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This museum exhibits precious materials such as pictures, letters,
wills, articles and mementos of the 1,036 Kamikaze pilots based in
Chiran who participated in the Battle for Okinawa towards the end
of World War 2. It also houses a No.3 type fighter aircraft, Hien.
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Kirishima travel guide
The Onsen Resort located at the foot of the Kirishima mountains. Kirishima jingu Shrine
is one of the most beautiful shrines in Kyushu surrounded by forest.
You can enjoy hiking trails with spectacular mountain views and soak in volcanic hot springs
Where to explore
Kirishima Shrine
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One of the most beautiful shrine in Kyushu, and is surrounded
by forest. The Shrine buildings are constructed in 1715 and
designated as Important Cultural Property of Japan.
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Kirishima Onsen
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Lying on the lower slopes of the Kirishima Mountain with a distant
view over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima below. The area is made
up of over a dozen Onsen, of which the largest and best know is
Maruo Onsen.
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Black Vinegar in Kirishima
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The Fukuyama area along Kinko Bay is home to the famous
Japanese black vinegar. Over here, one can tour the old-fashioned
Tshubobatake which literally means a field of vinegar jars, witness
the traditional manufacturing process of the black vinegar, taste
and purchase the finished product.
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Kirishima

Ibusuki and Satsuma peninsula travel guide
Ibusuki is known for it’s hot spring Onsen Resort, and it’s famous natural steam sand baths
located on Kinko bay. To the east the Satsuma peninsula offers spectacular ocean views
and this peaceful rural area is know as the “home of the sweet potato”.
Ibusuki Onsen resort
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It is best known for its steaming sand baths along the beach, where
bathers in a yukata, or Japanese bathrobe get buried in the sand up
to their neck. The sand heated by steam containing marine minerals
is scientifically proven to have therapeutic effects on neuralgia,
rheumatism, back pain and other ailments.
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Ikeda-ko lake
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A circumference of 15 km and a maximum depth of 233 meter, where
was created by volcanic activity long ago. Large eel with a length of 2
meter and circumference of 50 cm inhabit the lake. It was also known
as the lake of a legendary monster called ” Issy” purported to live in
the lake.
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Nishi-Oyama Station
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The Station is the southernmost railway station in Japan operated by
JR, boasts a breath taking view of Kaimon-dake volcano to the front.
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Ryugu Shrine
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It is the Urashima Taro legendary shrine peninsula and this shrine
is becoming popular as a power spot of matchmaking and good
fortune in love.
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Nagasaki-bana Cape
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The cape is the southernmost point of Satsuma peninsula, where a
white lighthouse stands. You can enjoy the view of the magnificent
Mount Kaimondake and rocks with the sea spray wearing them.
The Cape is said to be the birthplace of the legend of Ryugu.
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Meiji-gura
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Enjoy tasting Shochu at the most famous Shochu brewery in Kagoshima
Meiji-gura is Satsuma Shuzo’s Shochu brewery and museum.
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Somen noodle nagashi
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The unique Somen noodle nagashi in Tosenkyo ravine in Kaimon open
throughout the year serving cold Somen noodle that swim in the
revolving container.
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