YakushimaJomon Sugi
Estimated at between 2,000 and 7,000 years old. It lies at the end of a ten-hour round trip on foot.
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Kagoshima
Volcanoes, islands, wild beauty.
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KagoshimaSenganen
A garden that treats Sakurajima as its artificial hill and Kinko Bay as its pond. The remains of the Shuseikan works stand alongside.
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MinamikyushuKamafuta Jinja
Worshippers walk the approach with a pot lid balanced on their heads. A faith for fortune in war and in contests.
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IbusukiHirakiki Jinja
First shrine of Satsuma Province, standing with Mount Kaimon at its back. It has long drawn prayers for safe voyages and safe travel.
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KagoshimaArt & Crafts, Shrines & Temples · 22 entries
AmamiArt & Crafts, Shrines & Temples · 10 entries
KirishimaShrines & Temples, Hot Springs · 9 entries
IbusukiShrines & Temples, Hot Springs · 8 entries
YakushimaNature & Scenery, Shrines & Temples · 7 entries
MinamikyushuShrines & Temples, Gardens · 7 entries
FEATUREKagoshima now (autumn)Enjoy colorful foliage and crisp highland walks in the Kirishima Mountains.See the feature Hirase · CC BY-SA 3.0Recommended information
Check information useful for planning, for a fuller trip.
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Regional culture, tradition, food, sightseeing, nature and people. A directory that delivers the appeal of each to the whole world.
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The photo is a generated image for concept purposes.INSTAGRAM / 6
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Local governments, tourism accounts and local posts are shown with official embeds. Photos are not stored on Value Village; they link to the original posts.
THINGS TO DO / 6
Things to do in this prefecture
Choose from what you can only do here.
01Experience SakurajimaTake the ferry to the active volcano and explore its viewpoints and lava fields.See related entries →Kitakyushuhamojiko · CC BY-SA 4.002Try Ibusuki Sand BathsRelax beneath naturally heated sand beside the sea.See related entries →名古屋太郎 · CC BY-SA 3.003Hike Yakushima's ForestsWalk through mossy forests shaped by ancient cedars and abundant rainfall.See related entries →As6022014 · CC BY-SA 3.0
04Swim in Amami's SeaSnorkel in clear water and unwind on the beaches of the Amami Islands.See related entries →Maj. Devon Thomas · Public domain
05Explore Historic ChiranWalk among samurai residences and gardens that preserve Satsuma history.See related entries →Renehaas · CC0
06Visit Kirishima JinguVisit the vermilion shrine set within the forests of the Kirishima range.See related entries →MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0NEED TO KNOW
At a glance
- AirportKagoshima Airport
- ShinkansenKagoshima-Chuo Station
- From TokyoAbout 1 hour 50 minutes by air
- Best seasonMarch–May and October–November
- Local specialtiesKurobuta pork · Keihan chicken rice · Satsuma-age fish cake
- Typical temperatureSummer: around 29°C / Winter: around 9°C
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
What each season brings
Σ64 · CC BY 4.0Spring
MAR–MAYCherry blossoms overlooking Sakurajima and Yakushima's fresh greenery define spring.
See recommendations for this season →
Sanjo · CC BY-SA 3.0Summer
JUN–AUGSwim and enjoy marine activities in the brilliant waters of the Amami Islands.
See recommendations for this season →
Hirase · CC BY-SA 3.0Autumn
SEP–NOVEnjoy colorful foliage and crisp highland walks in the Kirishima Mountains.
See recommendations for this season →
Sanjo · CC BY-SA 4.0Winter
DEC–FEBIbusuki's hot-sand baths and the cranes of Izumi are winter highlights.
See recommendations for this season →
LOCAL FOOD / 12
Local food
What people have long eaten in this place. We collect the dishes themselves, not restaurants.
Keihan (Chicken rice)
Shredded chicken, shredded thin omelet, dried shiitake mushrooms, papaya pickled in miso, mandarin orange peel and seaweed are placed on rice, and broth made from chicken bones is poured over.
Area：Amami area
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Tsukeage
Fish paste is ground together with firm tofu, egg, sweet potato starch, sugar and local sake, shaped into sticks or ovals, and deep-fried in oil.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Tonkotsu (Simmered Spare Rib)
Bone-in pork ribs are seared and sprinkled with shochu, then simmered with daikon, burdock and konjac in miso and brown sugar until tender.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Kibinago no Sashimi
Silver-stripe round herring about ten centimeters long are opened by hand without a knife and the backbone is removed, then they are arranged like a chrysanthemum flower and eaten with a vinegared miso of barley miso, vinegar and sugar.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Torisashi (Chicken Sashimi)
Chicken prepared for eating raw is lightly seared on the surface and sliced thin on the diagonal, then served with green shiso, garlic and grated ginger and eaten with soy sauce.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Satsuma Jiru
A miso soup full of ingredients, in which chicken, dried shiitake mushrooms, konjac, burdock, carrot, daikon and taro are stir-fried, simmered in dashi and seasoned with barley miso and brown sugar.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Akumaki
Glutinous rice soaked overnight in lye water is wrapped in bamboo sheaths and boiled for more than three hours in diluted lye water. It is eaten coated with roasted soybean flour or brown sugar.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Karukan
A steamed sweet made from a batter of grated Japanese yam combined with water, sugar and karukan rice flour. Sweet bean paste is sometimes wrapped inside.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Shirokuma
A shaved ice dessert topped with sweetened condensed milk and arranged colorfully with cut fruit and sweet red beans.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Gane
Sweet potato, carrot and garlic chives cut into fairly thick strips are bound together with a batter of wheat flour and glutinous rice flour with sugar and egg, spread out into a crab-like shape and deep-fried.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Satsuma Sumoji
Dried shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, dried shredded daikon, burdock, carrot and bamboo shoots are finely cut, mixed into rice dressed with seasoned vinegar, and sprinkled with local sake.
Area：Throughout the prefecture
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Aburazomen
Pork cut into thin strips is stir-fried in oil, then dried sardines and boiled somen noodles are added, dashi is poured around the pan, and the dish is seasoned with garlic chives and soy sauce.
Area：Amami area
Source：Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
MICHI-NO-EKI / 23
Michi-no-Eki roadside stations
RestInformationLocal links
Rest facilities registered by Japan's national government. Each has parking and toilets open 24 hours, and by definition includes a facility that sells local products. This is where the making and the food of this prefecture can actually be bought.
- KiireKagoshimaRegistered April 1994Official site
- KirishimaKirishimaRegistered April 1994Official site
- HiwakiSatsumasendaiRegistered August 1994Official site
- MatsuyamaShibushiRegistered April 1995Official site
- AkuneAkuneRegistered August 1995Official site
- NagashimaNagashima, Izumi DistrictRegistered April 1996Official site
- Kuni-no-Matsubara OsakiOsaki, Soo DistrictRegistered April 1998Official site
- NejimeMinamiosumi, Kimotsuki DistrictRegistered April 1998Official site
- Kawanabe Yasuragi-no-SatoMinamikyushuRegistered August 1999Official site
- Amami Oshima SumiyoAmamiRegistered August 2000Official site
- SakurajimaKagoshimaRegistered August 2000Official site
- Kinpo KonohanakanMinamisatsumaRegistered August 2001Official site
There are 23 stations in this prefecture in all (national registry).
LOCAL ACCOUNTS / 2
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CITIES & TOWNS / 22
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INTERESTS / 14
Find by interest
Only the interests found in this prefecture.
Kirishima Jingu · MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0Shrines & Temples28 entries
Kirishima Jingu ／ Kagoshima Jingu
To the list
Izumi Tsuru · 河川一等兵 · Public domainNature & Scenery39 entries
Izumi Tsuru ／ Jomon Sugi
To the listSunamushi · 名古屋太郎 · CC BY-SA 3.0Hot Springs33 entries
Sunamushi ／ Ibusuki Sand Bath Onsen
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Maru-ike Yusui · あじさか · CC BY-SA 4.0Historic Districts11 entries
Maru-ike Yusui ／ Kuro no Seto and Kuro no Seto Bridge
To the listCastles & History1 entries
Shiroyama
To the listGardens1 entries
Chiran Buke Yashiki
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Izumi Fumoto · Asturio Cantabrio · CC BY-SA 4.0Architecture17 entries
Izumi Fumoto ／ Senganen
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Reimeikan Museum · Ming-dynasty painter · Public domainMuseums10 entries
Reimeikan Museum ／ Shoko Shuseikan
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Satsuma Kiriko · H-shimo · CC BY 3.0Art & Crafts33 entries
Satsuma Kiriko ／ Kirishima Open-Air Museum
To the listSakurajima · Kitakyushuhamojiko · CC BY-SA 4.0Contemporary Art6 entries
Sakurajima ／ Yakushima Forest
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Kyocera Kagoshima Kokubu Plant · Sakoppi · CC BY 3.0Craft Experiences61 entries
Kyocera Kagoshima Kokubu Plant ／ Kagoshima Prefectural Museum
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Bansei Tokko Heiwa Kinenkan · uncredited · Public domainCulture & History17 entries
Bansei Tokko Heiwa Kinenkan ／ Terushima Coast
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Hatsuuma-sai · ChiefHira · CC BY-SA 3.0Festivals1 entries
Hatsuuma-sai
To the listFood & Markets15 entries
Kaseda Sickles and Minami-Satsuma Forged Blades ／ Nanchiku Head Office Plant
To the listHIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of this prefecture
From entries with clearly licensed photos.
Shrines & TemplesKirishima
Kirishima Jingu
A shrine tied to the legend of the descent of the heavenly grandson, its main hall a National Treasure. Eruptions of Mount Kirishima burned it down again and again, and each time it was rebuilt somewhere else. The present halls date from 1715, given by the Shimazu. Places of worship in southern Kyushu are built on the assumption of living with a volcano.
Hot SpringsIbusuki
Sunamushi
You are buried in the sand of the beach, a way of bathing rare anywhere in the world.
ArchitectureIzumi
Izumi Fumoto
The largest outer fortress town of the Satsuma domain. A town of samurai who guarded the border.
Nature & SceneryIzumi
Izumi Tsuru
One of the largest wintering grounds for cranes in the world. More than ten thousand birds arrive.
Festivals
Contemporary ArtKagoshima
Sakurajima
It is still erupting. The 1914 eruption joined it to the Osumi peninsula.
SMILE NEWS / 136
Smile news from Japan and the world
Stories that lift your spirits a little, collected with their sources.
Red panda joins Kagoshima's Hirakawa Zoo
Tsugumi, a male red panda from Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, arrives at Hirakawa Zoo on October 16. His public debut is planned for October 31, with breeding with the female Melody as the goal.
source: Hirakawa Zoological Park, Kagoshima CityWomen rangers return Darwin's rheas to the wild in Chile
In Chile's Patagonia National Park, a women-led ranger team returned 13 Darwin's rheas to the wild in April 2026. Working with the Rewilding Chile Foundation, they care for the birds around the clock; surveys once estimated only about 11 to 15 remained.
source: MongabayNew 210-million-year-old dinosaur species named from Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba shore
A new dinosaur species, Musango matusadonaensis, has been described from rocks about 210 million years old in Matusadona National Park on the shore of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. The bipedal, not-yet-adult animal was about 4.5 metres long, and the find suggests Zimbabwe's dinosaur fauna differed from South Africa's.
source: Phys.org (The Conversation)Explore on Instagram
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SEASONS & EVENTS
Seasons & events
Myoenji Mairi
2026-10-24 ～ 2026-10-25
Ohara Festival
2026-11-02 ～ 2026-11-03
Ferry Yakushima 2 Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Viewing Boat
Kagoshima
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TRAVEL
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