[Kagoshima Travel Guide] A Helpful Resource for Planning Your Trip

If you are getting around Kagoshima City, streetcars and city buses are the most convenient options.
They run frequently and can take you to the main sightseeing spots, making them essential for traveling around the city.
CUTE is the pass that lets you use those streetcars and city buses at a great value.
It also includes unlimited rides on the Sakurajima Ferry and the sightseeing buses Kagoshima City View and Sakurajima Island View.
A 1-day pass costs 1,300 yen for adults and 650 yen for children, while a 2-day pass costs 1,900 yen for adults and 950 yen for children.
If you are traveling in Kagoshima City, this pass is well worth considering.

The Hokusatsuma area refers to the northwestern part of Kagoshima Prefecture and includes Akune City, Izumi City, Satsumasendai City, Satsuma Town, and Nagashima Town.
With the sea spreading out to the west, many scenic spots, and pleasant hot spring towns, it is a calm area where you can enjoy nature.
Make Sendai Taki Onsen, which boasts more than 800 years of history and has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Hot Springs, your base, then enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn at Imutaike Prefectural Natural Park, and explore one of Kagoshima’s largest samurai residence districts to fully experience the history and nature of Kagoshima.

The Kirishima, Aira area refers to Kirishima City, Aira City, and Yusui Town in Aira District, located in the central part of Kagoshima Prefecture on the north side of Kagoshima Bay.
The area is dotted with all kinds of power spots, from sacred spiritual sites to places where you can feel the power of nature.
At Kirishima Jingu Shrine, built in the 6th century, you can feel both history and spiritual energy not only from its long history and architecture, but also from its sacred tree said to be around 800 years old and regarded as the ancestor of southern Kyushu cedar trees, as well as the sazare-ishi pebbles mentioned in Japan’s national anthem, “Kimigayo.”
Kirishima Onsenkyo, where steam rises all around town and each hot spring offers different water qualities and benefits, is an ideal base for exploring the Kirishima, Aira area.
At its center is Kirishima Onsen Market, where the tourist information center, souvenir shops, and restaurants are open for business. The plaza also features hot spring resort-style spots such as a steamed food stand.

The Nakasatsuma area is in the central part of the Satsuma Peninsula on the western side of Kagoshima Prefecture and includes places such as Kagoshima City, Hioki City, and Ichikikushikino City.
It is home to Kagoshima City, the central city of the prefecture, and is the most populous and urbanized part of Kagoshima.
Many of Kagoshima’s signature sightseeing spots are concentrated here.
Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, and scenic viewpoints with great views of it are also found in the Nakasatsuma area.
Along with its grand natural scenery, this area is also home to Sengan-en, where you can experience Kagoshima’s history and traditional culture.
It would not be an exaggeration to say this is an area first-time visitors to Kagoshima should definitely include in their trip.

The Minamisatsuma area refers to Ibusuki City, Makurazaki City, Minamisatsuma City, and Minamikyushu City at the southern end of the Satsuma Peninsula on the western side of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The appeal of the Minamisatsuma area lies in its warm climate, beautiful scenery such as Mt. Kaimondake and Lake Ikeda, and unusual hot spring experiences.
At Ibusuki Onsen, located at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, you can enjoy not only regular hot springs but also the world-famous and unusual sand baths.
Healthy Land Tamatebako Onsen is also recommended as a sightseeing base, thanks to its excellent location with views of the majestic Mt. Kaimondake, also known as Satsuma Fuji, from the Japanese-style open-air bath and Takeyama, also called Snoopy Mountain, from the Western-style open-air bath.

The Osumi Peninsula is located on the eastern side of Kagoshima Prefecture.
It is dotted with places where you can enjoy grand natural scenery, including mountains and waterfalls.
At the 25-meter-high, 30-meter-wide Kamikawa Otaki Falls and the spacious Kamikawa Otaki Park created around it, you can view the powerful rushing water up close.
With walking paths and forest plazas in place, it is a great place for a leisurely stroll through nature.
At the 68-meter-high, 130-meter-long Nijino Tsuribashi Otakibashi suspension bridge, you can enjoy both thrills and spectacular scenery at the same time.
Ogawa Falls, also famous as a filming location for movies and TV dramas, is another highlight.
The rugged rock faces, dramatic spray, and the emerald green of the waterfall basin come together in a stunning scene that feels both beautiful and powerful.

Among Kagoshima’s remote islands, the Taneyaku, Toshima Mishima area includes those located relatively close to the mainland.
More specifically, it consists of Yakushima and Tanegashima, which have relatively large populations among the inhabited islands in the prefecture, as well as the smaller islands known as Toshima and Mishima.
Even so, it still takes more than 3 hours by ferry, and the climate and local character are very different from those of the mainland.
Yakushima, registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1993, is 90 percent forest and has many mountains over 1,000 meters high.
One of its main highlights is the ancient Yakusugi cedar trees, many of which are more than 1,000 years old. The untouched, abundant nature is truly overwhelming.
Tanegashima, the closest of Kagoshima’s remote islands to the mainland, is known for its beautiful sea and coastlines.
Many surfers have moved there after falling in love with its ocean, and the island also has a good selection of sightseeing spots and tourist facilities.
Toshima, made up of seven inhabited islands and five uninhabited islands, offers rich nature and a culture all its own.

The Amami area lies the farthest south among Kagoshima’s remote islands and is actually closer to Okinawa than to mainland Kagoshima.
It includes Amami Oshima, Okinoerabu Island, Kakeromajima Island, and Yoron Island, with Amami Oshima being the largest and most populous of Kagoshima’s remote islands.
Culturally, it is sometimes said to be closer to Okinawan culture than Kagoshima culture, but Amami has a character all its own.
It is not only polished as a tourist destination but also easy to access.
With beautiful seas, rich nature, and unique ecosystems, it offers a full tropical island atmosphere.
Amami Oshima is home to a native mangrove forest, the second largest in Japan after Iriomote Island in Okinawa.
At Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park, you can go canoe touring through the mangrove forest.
At Ayamaru Cape Park, located at the northernmost tip of Amami Oshima where it juts out into the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy spectacular views of islands floating on the sea.
Amami City Ohama Seaside Park is another famous scenic spot, where you can enjoy tropical blue waters, white sandy beaches, and beautiful sunsets over the sea in the evening.

Day 1 takes you around central Kagoshima City while visiting iconic attractions such as Sakurajima and Sengan-en.
Learn about the history of the figures from Kagoshima who contributed to Japan’s modernization, and take in the grandeur of Sakurajima and the beauty of Kinko Bay.

On Day 2, ride the sightseeing limited express Ibusuki no Tamatebako to the warm and sunny Minamisatsuma area.
This course offers a dreamlike experience: ocean-view seats with beautiful coastal scenery, a soak in Ibusuki’s unique sand bath, and a walk through the Chiran Samurai Residence Garden District, where rows of houses from the samurai era still remain.

Shirokuma is a shaved ice dessert topped with sweetened condensed milk and colorful toppings such as cherries, raisins, mandarin oranges, pineapple, and red beans.
The birthplace of Shirokuma is Tenmonkan Mujaki Honten, located in Kagoshima’s downtown district.
When it first went on sale, it was a simple shaved ice with white syrup and red syrup, but after repeated improvements it evolved into a refreshing condensed milk-flavored syrup.
To add color, angelica, cherries, and raisins were arranged around the outside.
Because it looked like a polar bear when seen from above, it came to be called Shirokuma.
Today it is easy to find at supermarkets and convenience stores, but if you visit Kagoshima, be sure to try the real Shirokuma at its original shop.

Satsuma-age is made by mixing ground fish paste with tofu and local Kagoshima sake, then deep-frying it in oil.
From plain versions made with just fish paste to varieties with ingredients such as carrot and burdock root, there are many types to enjoy without getting bored.
It is most delicious eaten as is, but it is also recommended with mayonnaise, wasabi soy sauce, or ginger soy sauce.
Because even the fish bones are finely ground, it is rich in nutrients such as protein and calcium, yet still low in calories and moderate in salt, which is another plus.

Keihan is a representative local dish of the Amami area and is said to have originally been served to officials visiting from the mainland as a dish of hospitality.
It is eaten by placing shredded chicken and toppings such as dried shiitake mushrooms and shredded egg over white rice, then pouring chicken broth over it.
Other common toppings include pickled green papaya with miso and citrus peel, giving it a tropical touch.
It is eaten throughout the year, and today it is also often served at celebrations and festive occasions.
At restaurants in the Amami area, it is on the menu at most places.
Its light and gentle flavor makes it easy to eat, which is why it is popular with people of all ages.