- Attractions by Area -
Carefully selected must-sees to kickstart your Kagoshima trip.
Three emblematic experiences of Kagoshima:
• Sakurajima: An active volcano rising from Kinko Bay—Kagoshima’s enduring symbol and a place to feel the Earth’s raw energy.
• Yakushima: World Natural Heritage island home to ancient cedar forests. The mossy “Mononoke” scenery is unforgettable.
• Ibusuki Sand Baths: A rare experience where you are gently buried in naturally heated sand on the beach—invigorating and unique.
One of the world’s most active volcanoes rising from Kinko Bay—the icon of Kagoshima.
Feel the energy of the Earth at a living volcano!
Towering in front of Kagoshima City, Sakurajima continues to emit plumes even today. Once an island, it became connected to the Osumi Peninsula after a major eruption in 1914 when lava flows bridged the gap.
Viewpoints around the island showcase rugged slopes and lava fields—landscapes sculpted by volcanic power. Local life even includes dealing with falling ash as part of the daily routine.
◆ Highlights: From Yunohira Observatory—closest to the crater—you can gaze upon the dramatic volcanic surface.
◆ Good to know: Evacuation shelters (“taibi-gō”) dot the roadside across the island.
◆ Access: ~15 minutes by Sakurajima Ferry from Kagoshima Port; the service runs 24/7.
A mystical World Natural Heritage forest woven from mossy groves and crystalline streams.
Step into a world straight from a fairy tale.
Yakushima was among Japan’s first World Natural Heritage sites. Shiratani Unsuikyo gorge distills the island’s charm into one verdant space—abundant fresh water, deep green forests, and ancient cedars.
The famed “Moss Forest,” said to have inspired scenes in Princess Mononoke, becomes even more ethereal when sunbeams pierce the canopy and illuminate the silence.
◆ Highlights: Hike up to Taikoiwa (Drum Rock) for sweeping panoramas of Yakushima’s mountains and forests.
◆ Good to know: Locals say Yakushima has “35 days of rain per month”—that abundant moisture nurtures the lush moss.
◆ Access: ~25 minutes by car from Miyanoura Port. Multiple trekking courses for different fitness levels.
The world’s only natural beach sand-steam bath experience.
Waves as your soundtrack—the ultimate detox.
On Ibusuki’s shoreline, geothermally heated hot spring water warms the sands. Wearing a yukata, you lie down and staff gently shovel warm sand over you.
In about ten minutes, the heat and weight trigger a cleansing sweat from head to toe—thoroughly refreshing.
◆ Highlights: That post-sand-bath invigoration is addictive.
◆ Good to know: Studies suggest effects 3–4× that of typical hot-spring bathing—popular for wellness and beauty.
◆ Access: ~5 minutes by bus from JR Ibusuki Station. “Sunamushi Kaikan Saraku” is the classic venue.
A powerful spiritual site tied to Japan’s myth of the heavenly descent.
Luxurious vermilion halls—the “Nikko of the West.”
Dedicated to Ninigi-no-Mikoto, central figure in Japan’s founding myth, Kirishima Shrine’s buildings were reconstructed around 300 years ago by the Shimazu clan. The vermilion structures stand majestically amid lush forest.
The synergy of Kirishima’s mystical nature and the shrine’s solemn atmosphere makes this a famed power spot.
◆ Highlights: A sacred cedar estimated at 800 years old is considered the ancestor of southern Kyushu cedars.
◆ Good to know: Ryoma Sakamoto and his wife Oryo visited here on what’s said to be Japan’s first honeymoon.
◆ Access: ~15 minutes by bus from JR Kirishima-Jingu Station.
A grand daimyo garden using Sakurajima as a “borrowed” mountain and Kinko Bay as its pond.
Feel like a feudal lord at the Shimazu family’s villa.
Built in 1658 by the 19th lord Mitsuhisa Shimazu, Sengan-en spans roughly 50,000 m². The borrowed scenery featuring Sakurajima and Kinko Bay is breathtaking in scale.
Together with the adjacent Shoko Shuseikan, it forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.” One can imagine Atsuhime or Saigo Takamori gazing at the same views.
◆ Highlights: Try the local specialty Jambo-mochi at a teahouse while admiring Sakurajima.
◆ Good to know: Don’t miss the “Tsuru Lantern” (Japan’s first gas light) and the unusual Cat Shrine within the grounds.
◆ Access: Get off at “Sengan-en-mae” on the Kagoshima City View bus.
Learn the value of peace through letters and artifacts from young kamikaze pilots.
A place to carry forward their words of gratitude and hope.
In the final stages of WWII, an Army air base stood in Chiran, from which many young men departed for Okinawa. The museum exhibits letters, wills, and photos—from thanks to their families to hopes for Japan’s future—leaving a profound impact.
The tragedy of war, the sanctity of life, and the preciousness of peace are conveyed quietly yet powerfully.
◆ Highlights: A recovered Zero fighter plane brings history into sharp focus.
◆ Good to know: The triangular barracks where pilots spent their last night have been faithfully reconstructed.
◆ Access: About 1 hr 25 min by bus from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station.
Stately stone walls and manicured hedges in the “Little Kyoto of Satsuma.”
A scenic stroll that feels like time travel to Edo Japan.
This preserved district of samurai homes (Important Preservation District & Places of Scenic Beauty) dates to ~260 years ago. About 700 meters of stone walls and meticulously trimmed hedges create a refined streetscape.
Seven gardens facing the street are open to visitors, each with distinct charm. The harmony of main houses and traditional gardens reflects Japanese aesthetics.
◆ Highlights: The dry landscape gardens and the crane-and-turtle motif gardens are especially striking.
◆ Good to know: Hedges also served defensive roles—truly “living ramparts.”
◆ Access: ~5 min by bus from Chiran Peace Museum—combine both for a classic route.
Amami Blue seas and primordial forests—an island of World Natural Heritage.
The “Galápagos of the East” with rare endemic wildlife.
Roughly halfway between Kagoshima and Okinawa, Japan’s second-largest remote island joined the World Natural Heritage list in 2021.
Beyond transparent seas and marine activities, trek the primeval Kinsakubaru forest for a chance to spot endemic species like the Amami rabbit.
Local culture blends Ryukyuan and Satsuma influences—enjoy island songs and unique cuisine.
◆ Highlights: Explore the mangrove forest by canoe for a sense of discovery.
◆ Good to know: Try keihan, a beloved local dish of rice topped with ingredients and hot chicken broth.
◆ Access: Flights operate from Kagoshima, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and more.
A “heavenly” sandbar that appears only at certain times.
A white sandbar floating in emerald seas.
Off Okaneku Beach on Yoron’s east coast, a pure-white sandbar emerges during spring–summer low tides (mid-to-spring tides). Its beauty is otherworldly.
The sandbar’s size and shape change with dates and times—truly a once-only view. Romance says: find star sand grains equal to your age to gain good fortune.
◆ Highlights: The water clarity and 360° sea horizon make for a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
◆ Good to know: Check the official “Star Sand Calendar” for dates/times when Yurigahama appears.
◆ Access: ~20 min by car from Yoron Airport to Okaneku Beach, then a glass-bottom boat to the sandbar.
Classic viewpoint over Sakurajima, Kinko Bay, and Kagoshima City.
A historic stage with a sweeping vista.
At 107 m elevation, Shiroyama is Kagoshima’s signature viewpoint. Daytime views are grand, and city lights at night dazzle.
This hill also witnessed the final days of Saigo Takamori during the Satsuma Rebellion.
◆ Highlights: On clear days you can see as far as the Kirishima range and Mt. Kaimon in Ibusuki—and sometimes Yakushima.
◆ Good to know: Handy smartphone stands are installed for taking commemorative photos.
◆ Access: Steps from the “Shiroyama” stop on the Kagoshima City View bus.
The “Fuji of Satsuma”—a graceful cone rising near the sea.
Picture-perfect from every angle—the symbol of Satsuma Peninsula.
At 924 m, this Japan Top 100 Mountain owes its nickname to its beautiful symmetry visible from all around Ibusuki.
Well-maintained trails lead to a 360° summit panorama over the Pacific, Lake Ikeda, the Kirishima range, and on very clear days, even Yakushima.
◆ Highlights: A spiral-like ascent keeps the scenery changing and the hike engaging.
◆ Good to know: A small shrine of Ontake Jinja stands at the top.
◆ Access: ~20 minutes on foot from JR Kaimon Station to the trailhead; ~3 hours to the summit.
Contemporary art meets Kirishima’s highland nature in an expansive open-air museum.
Wander through art and nature.
At ~700 m elevation, works by renowned domestic and international artists are installed across the grounds.
From Yayoi Kusama’s colorful creations to Choi Jeong Hwa’s playful pieces, many installations are interactive and photogenic.
◆ Highlights: You can touch or enter several outdoor works—art fully experienced with the body.
◆ Good to know: The grounds are large—wear comfortable shoes.
◆ Access: ~40 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport.
Linked to the legend of Urashima Taro and dedicated to Princess Toyotama.
Write your wish on a shell and offer it to the princess.
At Cape Nagasakibana—the southern tip of Satsuma Peninsula—this seaside shrine venerates Toyotama-hime, a sea deity identified with the “princess” from the folktale.
The vermilion sanctuary conjures a dragon palace, with Mt. Kaimon’s elegant profile visible out front.
◆ Highlights: Write your wish on a seashell and dedicate it; locals say it brings blessings.
◆ Good to know: Souvenir shops nearby evoke a nostalgic Showa-era vibe.
◆ Access: ~40 minutes by bus from JR Ibusuki Station.
210 m wide—thundering cascades dubbed the “Niagara of the East.”
Sheets of water rush over vast rocky steps.
Upstream on the Sendai River, Sogi Falls stretch 210 m across and drop 12 m. The roaring spectacle and sheer scale inspired the nickname “Niagara of the East.”
Surrounding park paths make for pleasant strolls, with the scenery at its best in vivid autumn colors.
◆ Highlights: A suspension bridge above the falls offers thrilling views.
◆ Good to know: Within the park are Shimizu Shrine and an “Enmusubi no Taki” (matchmaking) spot.
◆ Access: ~20 minutes by car from JR Kurino Station.
Emerald-green plunge pool and a soothing, sacred atmosphere.
A hidden-feel retreat with astonishing clarity.
Featured in the opening of the NHK drama Segodon, the 46 m cascade drops from a sheer cliff into a shimmering emerald basin.
From the parking area it’s a ~1.2 km riverside walk to the viewpoint—enjoy the sound of water as you hike.
◆ Highlights: Canoe tours approach near the plunge pool for an even more immersive experience.
◆ Good to know: Sunlight makes the water surface sparkle for an extra-magical scene.
◆ Access: ~2 hours by car from central Kagoshima City.
The southernmost JR station, famous for its lucky yellow post box.
A photogenic unattended station with Mt. Kaimon as backdrop.
Only a few trains stop here daily, preserving a tranquil charm. The juxtaposition of the platform and Mt. Kaimon makes it a go-to photo spot.
The bright yellow post box symbolizes “delivering happiness.”
◆ Highlights: Capture the “southernmost JR station” marker together with Mt. Kaimon.
◆ Good to know: The nearby kiosk sells arrival certificates and postcards for mailing from the yellow box.
◆ Access: ~15 minutes on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line from JR Ibusuki Station.
Kyushu’s largest caldera lake—home to the “Issie” lake monster legend.
Fields of yellow blossoms meet deep-blue waters.
Formed by volcanic activity ~5,500 years ago, Lake Ikeda spans 15 km in circumference with a depth of 233 m. Mt. Kaimon’s graceful cone rises beyond the shoreline.
Like Loch Ness’s “Nessie,” locals tell tales of a mysterious creature named “Issie.”
◆ Highlights: In spring, vast canola fields bloom along the lakeshore.
◆ Good to know: Giant eels (designated natural monument) reaching ~2 m live in the lake.
◆ Access: ~40 minutes by bus from JR Ibusuki Station.
Nine hot-spring areas with varied waters—a destination tied to Ryoma Sakamoto.
Steam, myths, and history mingle in the highlands.
On Kirishima’s foothills, multiple onsen districts offer diverse springs—sulfur, bicarbonate, chloride, and more—backed by a long spa tradition.
The area is also famed as a stop on Japan’s first honeymoon by Ryoma Sakamoto and Oryo.
◆ Highlights: Many inns offer day-use bathing—perfect for onsen-hopping.
◆ Good to know: Eggs and vegetables steamed with hot-spring heat are simple yet delicious.
◆ Access: ~30 minutes by bus from Kagoshima Airport; pair with Kirishima Shrine nearby.
Dolphin jumps with Sakurajima in the background—plus a giant tank with whale sharks.
Experience Kagoshima’s seas all in one place.
Located on the city’s waterfront facing Sakurajima, the aquarium’s vast Kuroshio Tank—home to whale sharks and large rays—is a showstopper.
Roughly 500 species and 30,000 creatures—mostly from Kagoshima waters—are on display.
◆ Highlights: “Dolphin Time” features dolphins swimming freely in an outdoor waterway connected to Kinko Bay.
◆ Good to know: “Io” means “fish” in the Kagoshima dialect.
◆ Access: ~15 minutes by bus from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station; near the Sakurajima Ferry terminal.
Immersive dramas bring to life Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, and other Meiji Restoration figures.
Robot “Saigo-san” passionately narrates the Restoration.
This museum in Kajiyacho—birthplace of Saigo and Okubo—introduces the lives and achievements of Satsuma’s key figures in the Meiji Restoration with easy-to-understand exhibits.
In the basement “Ishin Experience Hall,” two theatrical shows use robotics and multi-media to make the era vivid even for those who usually find history tough.
◆ Highlights: The life-size Saigo and Okubo robots’ banter is surprisingly deadpan and fun.
◆ Good to know: Located in the historic neighborhood where many leaders of the Restoration were born.
◆ Access: ~8 minutes on foot from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station.
Vast “jar fields” and Japan’s first dedicated black-vinegar restaurant.
Savor creative cuisine with black vinegar while gazing at Sakurajima.
Along Kinko Bay, some 20,000 earthenware jars quietly age kurozu (black vinegar) using methods dating to the Edo period.
The on-site restaurant serves healthy, delicious dishes highlighting kurozu’s depth and umami.
◆ Highlights: Stroll the jar-field paths and listen to the fermenting jars “breathe.”
◆ Good to know: Rich in amino acids, kurozu is popular for health and beauty—great for souvenirs.
◆ Access: ~40 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport.
Relax in one of Japan’s longest footbaths while gazing at Sakurajima.
Warm up from the feet with a mighty volcano in front of you.
Just a short walk from Sakurajima Ferry Terminal, this ~100 m-long footbath uses natural hot spring water gushing from 1,000 m underground—and it’s free.
The reddish hue indicates high iron content. With Sakurajima and calm Kinko Bay before you, this is a perfect place to unwind.
◆ Highlights: Sunset paints Sakurajima in gold and crimson—unforgettable.
◆ Good to know: Bring a towel, or buy one next door at the Visitor Center.
◆ Access: ~10 minutes on foot from Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal.
A museum narrating Satsuma’s pioneering “Shuseikan Project” of modernization.
Japan’s leap into modernity began here in Satsuma.
Housed in Japan’s oldest Western-style stone industrial building (1865), this museum is part of the UNESCO “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.”
Exhibits cover the Shuseikan complex’s 19th-century efforts—from cannons and steamships to glassware—undertaken to strengthen Japan against Western powers.
◆ Highlights: Replicas of cannons and exquisite Satsuma Kiriko glass showcase art and industry.
◆ Good to know: The building itself is an Important Cultural Property—a rare surviving Western-style factory.
◆ Access: Adjacent to Sengan-en; combo tickets are available.
A garden theme park of flowers, greenery, and sea breezes overlooking Kinko Bay.
A southern paradise bursting with subtropical blooms.
Spanning 36.5 hectares and sheltered by natural pine groves, this vast botanical park showcases colorful flowers year-round—hibiscus, bougainvillea, and more.
Indoor gardens and a scenic sky corridor overlooking the bay add to the highlights—perfect for family picnics.
◆ Highlights: Among Japan’s largest collections of subtropical plants thanks to the warm climate at the peninsula’s tip.
◆ Good to know: In winter, ~300,000 lights illuminate the park during a popular event.
◆ Access: ~35 minutes by bus from JR Ibusuki Station.