Riding
a bicycle, you can explore different faces of a city; small back alleys,
interesting people and shops, peaceful park and a beautiful sunset view.
Also, you can find and feel season and nature; blossoms in Spring, greenery
Summer, changing leaves in Autumn and snow in Winter. Cycling is good for
your body as well as for the environment. So why don't you try? Now, it
is the most pleasant season for cycling in Kagoshima. (No ash and no humidity)
Here, I introduce some of my favorite spots in Kagoshima. Let's take a bicycle
and find your own views!
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1
KOTSUKI RIVERSIDE
Just a few minutes ride from Nishikagoshima Station,
you get to the Kotsuki river. This river side is good for bicycle
and jogging lovers for all day long. The river side is popular spot
of o-hanami (Cherry blossom viewing) in Spring. |
2 YOJIRO AREA
 Tenpozan
park is place with many gorgeous pine trees (matsu). The park is located
near Tenpozan bridge. This area used to be a beach and yacht harbor.
In the Summer time, there were fireworks festivals and a place were
very crowded. Pine trees and stone walls near the park are
the traces of the old time. Now, Chinese style house was built for
celebrating relasionship as friendship city between Kagoshima and
Changsha, China. The road along the coast from Tenpozan Seaside bridge
(new) to sea-fishing park is good for cycling. Of course, the view
is great! There is also a nice park behind Kagoshima prefecutre hall. |
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3 KAGOSHIMA BAYSIDE AREA
Heading to the bayside, you will see old apartments
and houses. These are the traces of the old time. Beautiful (I think)
old stone buildings bring nostalgic atmosphere. Most of them are used
as warehouses, and some of them are stores. Personally, I really wish
these stone buildings stay there forever. This area has been developing
rapidly recent years under the waterfront development project. The
road by the bayside is wide and very smooth. And of course, you can
see nice view of Sakurajima. Now they are building a new ferry terminal
for islands (it's almost finished). Between this new terminal and
an aquarium, there is big green field. Some people are walking with
their dogs, some are having lunch near the new water-fountain, and
some are sitting and chatting. This park is located in just few minutes
from a down town. Many events are held at the field throughout the
year. |
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AQUARIUM AREA |
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Cross
the bridge from the bayside, there is ferry terminal for Sakurajima
and Kagoshima aquarium stand. Just over the aquarium, there
is a board-walk called "Shiokaze-dori (sea breeze avenue)"
where you can view the sakurajima ferries. People are here
for eating lunch, reading books, fishing in the daytime. The
place turns to romantic spot for couples at the night. If
you have time, just jump on the ferry and go to Sakurajima.
The terminal is just few minutes by bicycle from the shiokaze-dori.
Aquarium is also nice healing place to visit.
Kagoshima Aquarium
Hour: 09:00 ~ 18:00 / Closed: Dec. 29 ~ Jan. 1
Get a 1 year pass !
Now, 1 year passes (only 3000 yen) are available. With the
pass, you can visit aquarium as much as you want for a year.
Normal ticket for adult is 1500 yen.
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5 SAKURAJIMA
Let's go for a short trip to Sakurajima. It is
only 15 minutes voyage by Sakurajima ferry. Ride on the ferry from
the same gate as a car get in. As soon as you park bicycle, go up
and you look down the city from the ferry. As Ohara music sound, ferry
starts. And you can see whole view of Kagoshima city. You will notice
that Kagoshima is nice surrounded by beautiful sea and mountains.
You will also find that there is only the sound of water and wind.
Just in front of you, dynamic Mt. Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima
is rising high.
15 minutes voyage is very fast, but it is enough to relax. Get off
the ferry and pay 250 yen fare (You pay ferry fare at Sakurajima).
You could bike around Sakurajima, but beware; this will be long trip.
There is my favorite place located very near the ferry terminal. It
is Nagisa promenade (Nagisa yuuhodou) which is about 3 km walkway
from just behind the hotel "Rainbow Sakurajima" to Karasujima
observation point. The road is very suitable for biking. The walkway
in the nagisa park behind the hotel is nicely constructed with wooden
floor. The walkway continued to the promenade surrounded with black
lava and pine trees. The place is so peaceful with sound of sea and
ferries... I am sure this place will heal you... About 3km away from
the ferry terminal, there is a small  beach
"Nishimichi Beach". You just go straight to the left along
the coast. The road is pretty flat compare to other roads in Sakurajima.
The beach is filled with small stones. It is very clean and cozy beach
with few visitors.
Ferry fare: 250 yen / single (bicycle + person) ... you pay at Sakurajima
ferry
Rent-a-bike: Bicycle shop in front of sakurajima ferry terminal.
(400 yen for 1 hour / 900 yen for 3 hours) |
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6 ISHIBASHI PARK (Stone Bridge
Park)
In Kagoshima, there are many historical stone
buildings and bridges and statue. There were 5 stone bridges over
the Kotsuki  river
(main river in Kagoshima city). On August 6th of 1993, two of them
were destroyed by the flood. Although three bridges are survived,
they are removed from the river, and rebuilt in Ishibashi park. The
park was completed in 2000. Children play at an artificial stream
under the bridges. There is a ishibashi hall (stone bridge museum)
in the same area. It is worth to visit. This historical park is peaceful
and clean. I highly recommend.
Ishibashi Hall museum
Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 / Closed: Wednesday
Free entrance |
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7 ISO AREA
 Now
let's head to Iso beach. The road to the beach is little narrow for
biking. As you get closer to the beach, you feel strong wind and smell
of the ocean. On the way to the beach, you will find some jambo-mochi
restaurant on the side of a road. Try out this Kagoshima traditional
dessert "Jambo-mochi (Rice cakes skewered by two bamboo sticks,
symbolizing the two swords of a samurai.). Iso beach is just right
at your sight! Summer time is very beautiful, but on May and June
it is quiet and more to relax. You can see very impressive Sakurajima
view here and mountains and Senganen (Summer house and garden of Shimadzu)
at your left. |
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8 THE AVENUE OF HISTORY AND CULTURE
The avenue is located in the foot of Shiroyama
hill. The avenue stretch from terukuni shrine to ruin of the castle.
Many historical and cultural buildings such as city museum of art,
histrical museums, ruins of the catle are along this road. The pavement
is nicely constructed. You can find small stream and colorful carps.
In the evening, the avenue becomes romantic with gas lamps. In the
fine day, hiking to the shiroyama would also be nice. Park your bicycle
and walk up to the hill. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the
Shiroyama observatory. |
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