If you are interested in visiting a place that has amazing nature, interesting cultural sights and yummy local delicacies, Kagoshima should be on your travel itinerary. Situated on the southwestern tip of the Japanese archipelago, it boasts a wide array of experiences that will make your trip memorable. Here are ten best things you can do in Kagoshima, Japan. For ease of reading, this article is divided into two sections: Mainland Kagoshima and Kagoshima Outer Islands.

Evoking an inviting aura of laid-back and relaxing vibes, Kagoshima is a mountainous prefecture that is located at the southernmost tip of Kyushu, which is one of Japan’s four main islands. It spans about 600 km from the north to the south. Blessed with a moderate climate, it is an appealing tourist destination in spring and autumn as its spectacular Nat Geo-worthy landscapes will warm your heart with vibrant hues of color. It also features soul soothing hot springs that manage to make summer quite enjoyable!

Mainland Kagoshima

1. Kagoshima City

From Fukuoka, you can board the Kyushu Shinkansen 800 Series and reach

Kagoshima City in as little as 76 minutes! Once you reach there, head over to Sengan-en, an impressive Japanese garden. Created by the 19th lord of the Shimadzu Clan, Mitsuhisa, for his townhouse, this tranquil garden not only helps you connect with greenery, but also transports you back to an idyllic era. Cast your worries aside as you tour the mansion where generations of the Shimadzu clan resided. Immerse yourself in the rustic interior, which is an exquisite mix of Japanese, Western and Chinese elements. After this tour, feast your eyes on the panoramic view of Sakurajima - an active volcano - and Kinko Bay. Remember to take an Instagrammable shot of yourself!

Kagoshima City is also a great place to delight in Kagoshima’s delicacies. If you have a sweet tooth, you will relish eating “Shirokuma”, a dessert that has various fruits adorning the shaved ice and thus making it look like a “shirokuma” (polar bear)’s face. This dessert is doused with condensed milk and sprinkled with azuki beans to enhance its sweetness. Another dish that will tantalize your palate is “Kurobuta Shabu Shabu”. To savor the essence of this dish, you swish tender slices of pork in boiling water and dip it in a savory sauce to consume it. The pork is obtained from locally bred pigs that are fed on sweet potatoes, so it tastes really succulent.

1. Sakurajima

After admiring Sakurajima from across the sea, you will be eager to pay it a visit.

Do you know that Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in the world? In fact, it erupts multiple times a year, so residents in Kagoshima City sometimes wake up to find their surroundings showered with volcanic ashes! Fascinating, isn’t it? If you are itching to get up close with Sakurajima, head over to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal and board a ferry that will bring you to its doorstep.

Upon reaching there, you could utilize the Island View Bus to visit all its magnificent attractions. However, some of the interesting landmarks are not accessible via this bus, so it would be ideal for you to rent a car or bicycle so that you can fully traverse around the island and soak in its peaceful vibes. To get a feel of its majesty, be sure to visit the Kurokami Buried Gate, where you can see remains of the Kurokami Shinto Shrine that was almost buried by an eruption in 1914. Another place of interest is the Yunohira Observatory as it features a stunning view of Sakurajima’s South Peak and Kinko Bay. It’s surely an awesome way to feel at peace with nature. 

To heighten your experience, don’t forget to patronize a quaint cafe called Cafe Shirahama and try out its humongous white radishes (“daikon”) and miniature Japanese mikan oranges. Both of them are packed full of nutrients, thanks to the fertile volcanic soil in Sakurajima!

1. Shoko Shuseikan Museum

Kagoshima was previously part of a powerful feudal domain called Satsuma during the Edo period (1603 - 1868). Shoko Shuseikan Museum features the ingenuity of the Satsuma people as it is a relic of time that lets you know how they adopted Western technology successfully. These enterprising Satsuma people first constructed steamships and cannons because they yearned to protect their kingdom. Subsequently, they moved on to leverage other forms of Western technology to make textile products, handicrafts, and even household items. 

Shoko Shuseikan Museum is thus repurposed from an industrial complex that the Satsuma people used to manufacture all these weapons and other products back then. When you visit there, you can look at the remains of a furnace that was built in 1852 to cast cannons from iron. You can also tour the machinery factory to have a clear understanding of how the Satsuma people had empowered Western technology to empower their lives. It is indeed a place that is steeped in cultural value. In fact, the UNESCO authorities recognized it as an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2015. 

It is located beside Sengan-en, so you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting both attractions at the same time!

1. Chiran Samurai Residences

Interested to visit a historic old town that resembles Kyoto so much that it is 

known as the “Little Kyoto of Satsuma”? This is because the streets in Chiran are lined with more than 500 samurai residences that were built during the Edo era (1603 - 1868) and are still wonderfully preserved. What’s more, these samurai houses are juxtaposed with beautifully manicured gardens, which helps the district to evoke a nostalgic and charming atmosphere. Exploring the streets will make you feel as if you were transported back in time and help you imagine how the feudal lords and samurais must have led their lives. 

Gardening enthusiasts can even purchase one admission ticket to visit all seven gardens which are open to the public. These gardens showcase the most attractive aspects of Japanese gardens as shrubs, plants and trees are intriguingly pruned to arrest your attention. It’s a good way to appreciate the craftsmanship of skilful Japanese horticulturalists and take a breather from your hectic travel itinerary!

1. Chiran Peace Museum

Besides possessing a deep samurai history, Chiran will also resonate with history enthusiasts who are enthusiastic about broadening their knowledge about war. Chiran is home to Chiran Peace Museum, which will offer you a unique perspective of World War II through the lens of kamikaze pilots. In a brave attempt to protect their country, these pilots - some of whom were just adolescents - flew their bomb-laden planes into enemy ships during the war, thus ending their precious lives in the process.

What were the mental and emotional states of these soldiers who were expected to do the unimaginable? The Chiran Peace Museum aims to give visitors authentic insights into their hearts and minds through personal artefacts, photographs, letters and even songs. No doubt, these letters and songs were written in Japanese but a touch-panel display system was installed by the museum authorities, so you can peek into their world through the English translations. Plus, certain sentiments and emotions are universal and transcend language barriers, so this visit will be a sobering and memorable aspect of your trip.

1. Ibusuki 

Diehard fans of hot springs should make it a point to visit Ibusuki, a picturesque city that welcomes you with open arms with its idyllic palm trees that sway in the breeze. Its main claim to fame is the Sayuri Sand-Steamed Hot Bath, which is said to be the only one of its kind in Japan. This means that Ibusuki yields you a superb hot spring experience that is impossible to find elsewhere.

If you are curious about trying out this steam sand bath, just pay 1080 yen to wear a yukata robe. The friendly staff will direct you to a spot where you can lie down in the hot sand that is heated by natural steam from below ground. They will then bury you in sand, leaving only your face exposed to the elements. However, you won’t feel bored because the sand bath is located next to the sea, where the ebb and flow of the waves will lull you to a gentle sleep. Lie down for 10 to 20 minutes and savor how refreshed your skin feels. 

The sand bath is also said to be beneficial to your health as the sand pressure enhances the blood circulation to your heart. Complete this therapeutic session after washing off the sand and enjoying a warm dip in a regular onsen!

1. Kirishima Mountain Range

If you want to trek and explore the green spaces of Japan, consider putting Kirishima on your travel conquest list. Like Sakurajima, the Kirishima Mountain Range consists of active volcanoes that will allow you to feel the might of Mother Nature. As such, it would be advisable for you to check with the staff at the Takachiho-ga-wara Visitor’s Center first to ascertain that the trails are open to the public. 

Kirishima Mountain Range impresses as a charismatic place that ignites your imagination with its history linked to Japanese folklore. For instance, there is Kirishima Shrine that is dedicated to Ninigi-no-Mikoto, who was the grandson of a goddess named Amaterasu. As a shrine constructed around the 6th century, it is elegantly enveloped by Japanese maple trees. So, the explosion of bright and cheery colors during autumn makes it a spellbinding sight you wouldn’t want to miss. After visiting Kirishima Shrine, you may choose to continue your spiritual engagement with Ninigi-no-Mikoto by embarking on the hike to Mount Takachiho-no-mine. This is reportedly the spot where he first descended on earth. 

Kagoshima Outer Islands

1. Yakushima Island

Other than Kagoshima City, Kagoshima comprises many outer islands that will

revitalize your spirits. The most famous island has got to be Yakushima Island, which is not only recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, but is also the source of inspiration for one of Studio Ghibli’s most world-renowned anime, “Princess Mononoke”. Yakushima takes your breath away with its gigantic and gravity-defying “Yakusugi” (Japanese cedar trees), the oldest of which is a jaw-dropping 7,000 years old!

Lest you feel anxious about making your way to these magnificent trees, trekking your way to these ancient trees is made fuss-free with the provision of Shiratani Unsuikyo, a nature park that is dotted with footpaths. Hence, even amaetur trekkers will find the walk rather pleasant as they immerse themselves in the pristine beauty of lush forests and enjoy the sight of wild Yakushika deer and Yakuzaru macaques.

1. Amami Oshima

If you are a beach person, you may wish to visit Amami Oshima and spend some time at the placid Kurasaki Beach. No better place to picnic than here! Lay out your mat and snacks for a peaceful dining experience surrounded by nature. Alternatively, if you are the sporty kind, you can have a whale of a time pampering themselves with water activities like snorkeling and windsurfing. This can be complemented with a refreshing soak in the Materiya-no-Taki Waterfall or a trek to Mt. Yui Observatory that boasts a bird’s eye view of the Amami Strait and surrounding islands - or both!

Amami Oshima stands out from the rest of Kagoshima Outer Islands because it is located almost in the middle of Kagoshima and Okinawa. Hence, mainland Japan and Okinawan influences weave together to form an interesting mosaic of cultural elements that make Amami Oshima unique. To get a feel of its distinctive culture, do visit Amami no Soto folk museum that enlightens you about the lives and customs of the local residents. 

1. Yoron Island

Want to have the honor of visiting Kagoshima’s southernmost island? If so, you must make your way to Yoron Island, which is known as a “healing” spot for its clear waters and rich biodiversity. Unlike other islands, Yoron Island has an interesting marine spot named Yurigahama, which is a sandbar that surfaces during low tide. So, witnessing the sandbar “magically” manifest before your eyes may be one of the most indelible experiences of your trip!

Yoron Island also has a tourism center, Yunnu Taikenkan, in which visitors can sign up for a wide range of activities that enable them to experience the slow-paced life of the villagers in Yoron Island. Although part of Kagoshima, its proximity to Okinawa means that Yoron Island has an eclectic culture with a mix of Japanese and Okinawan influences. For instance, you can sign up for workshops where locals will entertain you with island folk guide you on how to make traditional confectionery. 

Kagoshima, Japan - A Trip To Remember

Kagoshima enables you to reconnect with nature and take a breather from the hustle and bustle of modern city life. Its charms are irresistible: spectacular natural scenery, fascinating history, and quaint local cultures. You will definitely not regret visiting Kagoshima!