Shiroyama (Kagoshima)

Shiroyama is located at an elevation of 107 meters, offering an expansive view of the city, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima Mountain.
The surrounding area was the site of the last fierce battle of the Seinan War, where various places are related to the prominent local figure, Takamori Saigo. Therefore, this extraordinary site has been an essential talking point when speaking of the history of Kagoshima. Shiroyama provides has an interesting array of historic sites, such as the "Statue of Takamori Saigo," Saigo's military headquarters, the “Saigo Cave," where Saigo spent five days before committing suicide, and the " the last resting place of Takamori Saigo.”

Kagoshima Prefectural Center for Historical Material, Reimeikan, beautifully surrounded by a moat, is the former castle of the Shimazu family. The facility displays in the front yard a statue of Atsuhime, the wife of the 13th Tokugawa shogun, Iesada, while inside is an exhibit featuring facts of Kagoshima history, folklore, arts and crafts, and materials related to the end of the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration. Kagoshima Castle's (also known as Tsurumaru Castle) Goromon gate was rebuilt in 2020 after 147 years.