It takes only about 90 minutes to get to Kagoshima Chuo Station from Hakata Station,in Fukuoka by Shinkansen. With the opening of the Shinkansen line, Kagoshima is now so accessible from Fukuoka that it is possible to take a day trip there. There are also popular sightseeing trains based at Kagoshima Chuo Station that run along routes with beautiful views of the sea and mountains. 

Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, is an active volcano that you can visit. From Kagoshima Chuo Station, it takes about 15 minutes on a tram to Kagoshima Port through the center of the city, including Tenmonkan, the busiest shopping district in Southern Kyushu. From there, it takes about 15 minutes by ferry to get to Sakurajima.

First, walk for about 10 minutes from Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal to get to the Visitor Center. In addition to the exhibits on Sakurajima, there is also a road bicycle rental service (¥2,500 for up to three hours, ¥500 for every hour thereafter. Rentals are available starting at 9:00, and bicycles must be returned by 17:00). Cycling around Sakurajima, an active volcano with a circumference of 36 km, is a great way to really experience the island.

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There are kayaking tours where you can experience the primal energy of Sakurajima, an active volcano. From the center of Kagoshima City, you can see the majestic Sakurajima towering over Kinko Bay emitting its volcanic plumes, but if you head out to sea in a kayak, you can experience the power of nature up close. See the lava rocks that line the shore and hot springs gushing out from under the water. Sheltered from the open sea, Kinko Bay is relatively calm and the water temperature is high, so you can enjoy sea kayaking year-round. From your vantage point near the surface of the water, you can see coral, schools of fish and, if the weather is clear, Mt. Kaimon—also known as Satsuma Fuji—in the distance.

On Sakurajima, you can visit scenic spots such as Yunohira Observatory, the highest observatory on the island, and Arimura Lava Observatory, which features a 1-km promenade through a field of volcanic ash. You can also try your hand at making pieces of art from lava rocks (workshops start at 20 minutes) or enjoy other activities like a three-hour kayak tour that offers stunning views of the lava fields and Sakurajima’s smoking crater from the water.
Near the Visitor Center, you can walk along the 3km-long Lava Nagisa Promenade and enjoy a relaxing foot bath with a view of Kagoshima City on the other side of the bay. 

With around 270 hot springs, Kagoshima City is one of the top hot spring spots in all of Japan. Some facilities boast a great view of Sakurajima, so we recommend staying at a hot spring inn and taking a bath in the morning while enjoying the view.

A short distance from Kagoshima City is Chiran, one of the largest tea production areas in Japan. The mild climate and fertile soil created by the volcanic ash from Sakurajima are optimal for growing Chiran Tea, a green tea with a refreshing aroma, dark green color, and strong flavor. A range of tea varieties are grown in Chiran, and the area is also a hot spot for organic farming. You can enjoy the unique experience of tasting several teas and finding your favorite at one of the specialty shops.

Chiran is also unique in that several houses used by samurai in the Edo period (1603-1868)  remain intact to this day. Seven samurai residences along a 700-meter street are open to the public, and most of the residences are still inhabited by the descendants of the samurai. From the tidy street, you can pass through the magnificent gates to see beautifully landscaped gardens. Kept up by the locals, this street is a beautiful and tranquil place where time seems to stand still. 

One of the things you will want to experience when you visit Kagoshima are the sand baths in Ibusuki. Instead of bathing in the hot water, here, you are buried in the hot sand and left to relax. This unique way of enjoying hot springs in Ibusuki dates back to olden times. After you put on a yukata robe, you are buried in sand that is heated by the hot springs. The weight of the sand and the moderate heat envelop your whole body, leaving you feeling totally relaxed. The sand baths are located on the beach right near the coast.

We suggest ending your trip to Kagoshima with a visit to Sengan-en, a magnificent garden overlooking Sakurajima. Here you can get up close and personal with the history and culture of Kagoshima in the beautiful garden and the palatial residence, which was built in 1658 as a villa for a lord. The massive site is dotted with many things to see. There is also a restaurant and cafe where you can enjoy local cuisine and a souvenir shop where you can buy Kagoshima specialties.

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History and nature are all well and good, but if you want to experience contemporary Kagoshima, look no further than Tenmonkan, Kagoshima’s largest shopping and entertainment district. This neighborhood, known locally as Tenmachi, has a 2km-long arcade that was built to protect the area from rain and wind, not to mention the ash from Sakurajima! The streets are lined with shops selling local cuisine, like Kurobuta pork and jidori (free-range chicken) dishes and Satsuma-age (deep-fried fish cakes), as well as other local specialties including Kagoshima ramen and karukan, a sweet made from glutinous yam and rice flour.

Another Highlights of 4 cities
(Fukuoka City, Kumamoto City, Kagoshima City ,Kitakyushu City)