Kagoshima Visitor's GUIDE / Travel

Events & Art

Kagoshima

Sights

Sights
Kagoshima City & Sakurajima Tenmonkan Kagoshima Chuo sta. Shiroyama Waterfront Area Iso Area Mt. Sakurajima Other Kirishima Northern Kagoshima Southern Kagoshima Osumi Peninsula Southern Islands Map Home		Kagoshima City
		Kagoshima City is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture. The city originally prospered as the castle town of Lord Shimadzu, and was the first city to introduce western civilization to Japan. Today, it is the largest City in Southern Kyushu with over 605,500 people. Kagoshima City nestled on the west shore of beautiful Kinko Bay with majestic Mt. Sakurajima is referred to as the Naples of the Orient. Kagoshima is the city of history and nature.
		Kagoshima City


Tenmonkan Area
			"Tenmonkan" is the most active and prosperous area in Kagoshima City. Tenmonkan is covered by arcades designed to prevent falling ash from Mt. Sakurajima. There are stores, boutiques, cafe, restaurants and cinemas.


Kagoshima Chuo Station Area
			Kagoshima Chuo station area is getting active now! In October 2004, brand-new complex shopping centre "Amu Plaza Kagoshima" with over 150 shops, 30 restaurants, a cinema complex and a ferris wheel opened next to the Kagoshima Chuo station. But not only the new shopping centre, Kagoshima Chuo station area has many other interesting places!!

Shiroyama Area
Shiroyama is located in Culture Zone which is an area of abundant history and culture with many institutions; such as the prefectural museum, historical statues, City Museum of Art, a public library, and the historical museum located in the ruin of Tsurumaru castle which is surrounded by a moat and a stone wall. If you want to get a great view of the city and Mt. Sakurajima, you should go up Shiroyama hill. This hill is the one of the best spots (especially at night) to see a sweeping view of the area, and is only about 20 min on foot from the Culture zone. There are some cafe's and shops located near Terukuni shrine, how about a cup of coffee ? The area is very busy during the summer festival and on New Years Eve.				Street in Culture Zone


Ruin of Tsurumaru Castle The castle which was built by the 18th lord of Shimadu used to be here. Now only the castle walls and moat remain. Kagoshima prefectural historical museum "Reimeiken" is located in the ruin, and introduces Kagoshima's history to the world. Kagoshima prefectural historical museum「REIMEIKAN」 5-1 Shiroyama-cho / 099-222-5100 09:00 ~ 17:00 (Closed: Monday, 25th & New years) KAGOSHIMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART Art works of Kagoshima's famous Japanese painters like Seiki Kuroda, Takeji Fujishima, Seiji Tougou, Seiki Kuroda are displayed. Besides that World famous art works are displayed. Many exhibitions are held throughout the year. 4-36 Shiroyama-cho / 0909-224-3400 09:30 ~ 18:00 / Closed: Monday & News year's Kagoshima Hall of Modern Literature & Kagoshima Marchen Hall The museum presents novelists who related to Kagoshima. Shiroyama-cho / 099-226-7771 09:30 ~ 18:00 / Closed: Tue. Shiroyama Observatory You can over look the City, Kinko Bay, Sakurajima from the observatory on Shiroyama. On the way, there are many historical places like the cave where Saigo Takamori committed suicide. The Nanshu Cemetery A graveyard which is dedicated to over 200 soldiers including Takamori Saigo who fought in the Seinan war. Near the cemetery, is the Nanshu shrine which is dedicated to Takamori, and Saigo's memorial museum. Saigo Nanshu Kenshou-kan Saigo's memorial museum. Saigo Takamori was a hero of the meiji restoration. At the museum, they inform us about Saigo's life using display, videos and dioramas. 099-247-1100 09:00 ~ 17:00 / Closed: Monday				Ruin of Tsurumaru Castle City Museum of Art Statue of Saigo Takamori Nanshu Cedmetery

Waterfront Area


Kagoshima City Aquarium "Io World" The aquarium introduces sea creatures which live in the seas around Kagoshima about 600 km South to North over sea tunnel in the aquerium. Over 500 kinds of creatures from around Kagoshima, vestimentiferan tube-worms which live due to the volcanic activity of Sakurajima, pilalukee, dolphins, sea otters, sharks and more are display. 3-1 Honkoushin-machi / 099-226-2233 09:30 ~ 18:00 / Open everyday except New Year's Waterfront's New Spot "DOLPHIN PORT" Kagoshima's newest spot "Dolphin Port" opened along the Kinko Bay in April, 2005. Dolphin Port consists of restaurants and shops. It is located in just 5 min. walk from the center of the city. From the restaurants, you can see the beautiful view of the bay and Sakurajima. / Most restaurants open until 12 am or 2 am. Dolphin Port Official Website (only Japanese): http://www.dolphinport.jp/index.html Ishibashi Memorial Hall & Gion-no-su Park Five Historical stone bridges used tospan the Kotsuki river in the middle of Kagoshima City. Due to the great flood in 1998, two bridges were destroyed, and 3 bridges were removed to this location. The park with these bridges is now a citizen's rest place. Ishibashi memorial museum introduces history and construction techniques of stone bridges. １－３Hama-machi / 099-248-6661 09:00 ~ 17:00 / Closed on Wed. & New years Monument of Arriving of St. Francisco Xavier Spanish missionary Francisco Xavier took his first steps on the Japanese mainland in Kagoshima, about 450 years ago.				Kagoshima City Aquarium Waterfront Park Ishibashi Memorial Hall

Iso Area
Iso Beach

Sengan-en (Iso garden)　　 Senganen which was a summer villa and contained Lord Shimadzu's beautiful Japanese garden was constructed in about 1658. Many historic relics remain in the garden and villa. The garden overlooks magnificent Mt. Sakurajima and Kinko bay. Many seasonal and historical events are held throughout the year. 9700-1 Iso, Yoshino-cho / 099-247-1551 08:30 ~ 17:30 / Open throughout the year Admission fee: Adults \1000 / Children \500 (Common ticket as Shokoshuseikan) How to get: Take a bus "Kagoshima City View" from Kagoshima Chuo station to Sengan-en bus stop. Fare \180. About 20 min. Shoko Shuseikan Shimadzu's historical museum located next to Senganen. The building was originally built as a steel factory for Lord Shimadzu in 1856. Objects from the 700 year history of the Shimadzu family, the war between Satsuma and England and traditional industries like Satsuma cut glass are on display. At the cut glass factory next to the museum, you can see the work and beauty of Satsuma glass. The museu was renewed in October 2005. 9700-1 Iso, Yoshino-cho / 099-247-1551 08:30 ~ 17:30 / Open throughout the year How to get: Take a bus "Kagoshima City View" from Kagoshima Chuo station to Sengan-en bus stop. Fare \180. About 20 min. < Eat > Jambo-mochi Jambo is Kagoshima's local sweet. It is rice cake with sweet sauce skewered by two bamboo sticks. Many Jambo shops stand along the road by Kinko bay on the way to Senganen. Try them in the shop or on Iso beach viewing Mt. Sakurajima.				Sengan-en Shoko Shuseikan jambo-mochi

Sakurajima
Mt. Sakurajima lying only 4km away from Kagoshima City (about 15 min by ferry) is the symbol of Kagoshima. It is about 52km in circumference and its highest peak is 1,117m. Sakurajima volcanic activity began about 13,000 years ago and since then it has continually erupted. Mt. Sakurajima was once are island. However, the larget eruption in 1914, had a lava flow out of about 3 billion tons; joining Sakurajima and Osumi Peninsula by filling a 500m wide channel. Sakurajima is favored with special natural products as long as the volcano exists; for example hot-springs, and peculiar agricultural products. About 7000 people live at the foot of the volcano. Every Summer, Sakurajima ferry company holds night cruises on the bay. How to get to Sakurajima: Take a ferry from Sakurajima ferry terminal next to Kagoshima Aquarium. Ferry runs everyday 24 hours. Every 10 minutes in daytime. About 13 minutes to Sakurajima. Fare: Children \80 / Adults \150		View from Kagoshima City


Yunohira Observatory There are 3 observatories in Sakurajima; Yunohira, Arimura and Krasujima. Yunohira Observatory is located halfway up Sakurajima. From the observatory, Sakurajima looks dynamic. About 20 min drive from ferry terminal. Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate Shrine gate which was buried by lava and ash, when the largest eruption occured in 1914. The shrine gate was about 3m high , but now only 1m can be seen. The shrine gate has been maintained as a reminder of the power of this volcano. Sakurjima Visitor Center The center has information on the history of Sakurajima, eruptions and growth, plant development, etc. 099-293-2443 / 09:00 ~ 17:00 / Closed on Monday About 5 min walk from Sakurajima ferry terminal. Furusato Hotspring Furusato hot springs are located on the rocky coastine in the south of Sakurajima. There are 4 hotels in the hot spring area. Furusato Kanko Hotel, the most wellknown hotel has a gorgeous outside hot-spring which has views of Kinko bay and Kagoshima City. This is the only place where you need to wear a white cotton kimono to bathe. About 15 min drive by car from ferry terminal. Free shuttle buses are available from the ferry terminal to the hotel. In case of heavy ash, the open-air hotspring will be closed. Furusato Kanko Hotel : 099-221-3111 08:00 ~ 22:00 / Closed on Thursday About 20 min drive from Sakurajima ferry terminal.		Kinko Bay Yunohira Obervatory Nagisa promenade

	< Eat >
	Udon noodle in Sakurajima ferry Japanese noodle "udon" has a simple taste, but it is delicious on the ferry with a nice view of Mt. Sakurajima and the city. Rainbow Sakurajima （Italian Restaurant） The restaurant is located on the first floor of people's lodge "Rainbow Sakurajima" near the Sakurajima ferry terminal. A nice view of Kagoshima City and the bay, and delicious Italian cuisine.

Other Places of Interest

Museum of the Meiji Restoration
/ Ishin Furusato-kan
Museum about the history of Kagoshima mainly the Meiji Restoration. You can learn history with various techniques using sound, light and robots
099-239-7700
09:00 ~ 17:00 / Open throughout

Museum of Archeological history
/ Furusato Koko rekishi-kan
The museum exhibits artifacts and presents an explanation of the Jomon vestiges.
099-266-0696
09:00 ~ 17:00 / Closed on Monday

Kagoshima Science Ceneter
Learn about Space and natural phenomenon through easy experience. There is a planetarium.
099-250-8511
09:30 ~ 18:00 / Closed on Tuesday

Hirakawa Zoo
Over 200 kinds animals including koalas, Polar bears exist in thie huge zoo. There is also an amusement park in the zoo.
Hirakawa-cho / 099-261-2326
09:00 ~ 17:00 / Open everyday

Kagoshima Tropical Vegetation Park
Rare tropical plants from all over the world like palms, orchids, cacti have been collected and are on display in the park.
1 Yojiro / 099-256-1511
09:00 ~ 18:00 / Open throughout the year

Nagashima Art Museum
The museum is located on a hill overlooking Kagoshima city. There are many sculptures displayed outside. In the museum, many art works of local artists and famous artists like picaso and Chagarl are displayed. Collection of Satsuma-yaki pottery and Inka is great. Many art exhibitions are held throughout the year.
099-250-5400
09:00 ~ 17:00 / Open throughout the year
Admission fee: 1000 yen

"Ishin Furusato-Kan"
Museum of Archelogical history

Hirakawa Zoo

View from Nagashima Museum