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.

Where to explore

Sengan-en /UNESCO World Heritage

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.

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

The park is most famous for the Shiroyama Observatory,

which offers spectacular views of downtown Kagoshima,

Kagoshima Bay, and Sakurajima.

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.

The ferry connects Kagoshima City and Sakurajima in

15 minutes and operates 24 hours a day.