Kagoshima Prefecture spans some 600
kilometers from north to south and hosts a number of tourist
attractions. It is endowed with the most spectacular scenery that
includes beautiful seas, mountains, rivers, numerous hot springs and a
wide variety of flora and fauna. There are also many cultural sites and
places of historical interest. Each year, an estimated 26.6 million
tourists visit Kagoshima from other parts of Japan and from other
countries, making it one of the country's leading tourist destinations.
The annual number of foreign visitors to Kagoshima used to range from
approx. 60,000 to 80,000; but the year 2006 saw a great surge in the
number of visitors that totaled some 112,000. The number of visitors
that arrived in 2007 increased further to some 129,000 people. East
Asian countries - in particular Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong - account
for 80% of the total number of foreign visitors to Kagoshima.
Kagoshima is actively working to encourage more visits from overseas
visitors; hence the prefectural administration has been working closely
with representatives of the tourism industry to ensure an enjoyable
experience for all overseas visitors.
With the rising popularity of cruise travel, the prefectural government
has been developing the central port area to encourage port calls. As
part of its scheme to make Kagoshima the southern hub of Japan, the new
"Marine Port Kagoshima" was completed in September of 2007 to enable
berthing of larger cruise liners.
In addition, the "Kyushu Bullet-Train Tsubame" began service in March
2004 between Kagoshima Chuo Station in Kagoshima City and
Shin-Yatsushiro Station in Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto prefecture. This
brought significant improvements in accessibility for residents of
Kagoshima, allowing them to travel between Hakata in Fukuoka prefecture
and Kagoshima City in approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
After the bullet-train line becomes fully operational in April of 2011,
it will take a mere 1 hour and 20 minutes to travel between Hakata
Station and Kagoshima Chuo Station. This will vastly improve land
access to Kagoshima.
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 Kagoshima
City -- An international tourist city steeped in history --
Lying in the shadow of the active volcano, Mt.
Sakurajima, Kagoshima, once a castle town in the province of Satsuma,
has become the centre of politics, finance, culture and transport in
southern Kyushu.
Many leading figures in Japanese history were born in Kagoshima, such
as Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, two men who played important
roles in the Meiji Restoration of 1868.The city is filled with many
historical sites associated with these pioneers. There are also many
new attractions such as museums and a spectacular aquarium. The city is
also frequented by large international cruise liners. Kagoshima City
has signed sister state affiliations with Naples in Italy, Perth in
Australia and Miami in the US. It also signed a pact of friendship with
Changsha in China.
 Sakurajima--
The symbol of Kagoshima --
One of the world's famous active volcanoes, Mt.
Sakurajima, towers majestically over the city across Kagoshima Bay. As
the symbol of the city, it is a popular tourist destination.
Occasionally the volcano erupts, blowing plumes of ash and smoke 2 or 3
kilometres up into the sky, much to the amazement of visitors. This
does not pose problems for anyone. Mt. Sakurajima has erupted many
times in recorded history, but it is renowned for the great eruption of
1914. It is estimated that nearly three billion tons of lava poured
down the volcano, burying a nearby village and filling the 400 to 500
metre wide straits that once separated the island of Sakurajima from
the Osumi Peninsula. The lava fields, which are open to visitors, have
an appearance more befitting the moon than the earth.
Sakurajima is also known for the world's largest radishes and Japan fs
smallest mandarin oranges. Travel by ferry only requires 15 minutes to
cross the 4 kilometres span between Kagoshima City and Sakurajima.
Kagoshima is most likely the only densely populated city lying near an
active volcano.
 Ibusuki -Hot spring resort-
Situated in the southernmost tip of the Satsuma
Peninsula, Ibusuki's sub-tropical climate guarantees year-round sun and
warmth. Famous as a hot spring resort, the area is visited by many
tourists every year, especially those wishing to experience the rare,
world-renowned sand steam baths. The volcano Mt. Kaimon, whose striking
cone-shaped silhouette has earned it the nickname of "The Fuji of
Satsuma" and the Lake Ikeda, Kyushu's largest caldera lake can be found
nearby.
There are also many other tourist attractions in the area, including
the Flower Park Kagoshima, the largest of its kind in Japan, housing
approximately four hundred thousand flowers and trees of 2,400
different species, which bloom throughout the year.
Lake Ikeda is famous for its giant eels, which grow up to 1.5 metres
long and 50 centimetres wide, and it is especially well-known for the
legendary monster "Isshi" (similar to Loch Ness"' Nessie."), that
supposedly inhabits its waters.
 Kirishima-
A hot spring resort abundant in culture and history -
The picturesque mountain region of Kirishima, which was
the first designated National Park of Japan, is a mountain range with
23 volcanic peaks, including the tallest Mt. Karakuni and Mt.Takachiho,
the mythological birthplace of Japan. The scenery changes drastically
with the seasons: in early summer; the mountains ablaze with red
flowers of the Miyama-Kirishima azaleas while the autumn colours
attract visitors from all throughout Japan. During winter, the unusual
phenomenon of trees covered in hoarfrost is a spectacular sight.
The foothills have also become a tourist resort with the
abundance of hot springs, hotels, and guesthouses. There are also many
sports facilities as well as the Kirishima International Concert Hall
(Miyama Conseru).
In addition, the archaeological remains discovered in 1997 at Uenohara
in Kirishima City have been gathering much interest. Dating back
approximately 9,500 years, the site is the oldest and largest remains
of an ancient settlement in Japan and thus is invaluable in the study
of prehistoric culture. In order to preserve this site as a historical
and cultural heritage site, the Uenohara Jomon-no-mori Park opened in
October 2002 and has since provided visitors with opportunities to
experience (come in contact with) and learn about the Jomon culture.
 Nansatsu
(Southern Satsuma Peninsula) "Romantic route" with
sand dunes and historical scenic sites
The 30-kilometre long sand dunes of Fukiage Beach rank
together with Kujukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture and Tottori Beach in
Tottori Prefecture as the three famous beaches of Japan. A sand craft
festival is held annually in Minamisatsuma City, a part of this sand
dune, and the festival attracts sand sculptors from across the nation
and overseas.
In Chiran of Minami Kyushu City, there are many well- preserved old
samurai houses which have a history of at least 260 years, and most
come with beautiful Japanese dry landscape gardens, earning the town
the nickname of "Little Kyoto."
Bonotsu of Minamisatsuma City is well-known for its uniquely curvy
coastline and the superb view of the sunset. It prospered through trade
with China and the countries in the south during the early 9th century
and even saw many Japanese envoys to China travelling to and from its
port.
 Hokusatsu
(Northern Satsuma Peninsula) -the home of cranes and hot springs-
Izumi City, at the northernmost tip of the prefecture,
is known throughout the world for the annual migration of 10,000
cranes. The cranes can be observed at close range from the Crane
Observation Centre.
The basin of the Sendai River, one of Kyushu's three largest rivers, is
a well-known hot spring area boasting lush natural beauty, including
the 210m wide waterfalls at Sogi and the Tsuruda Dam.
The various local tourist spots have been brought together with the
Izumi and Sendai train stations as focal points. A leisurely scenic
coastline train trip along the "Hisatsu Orange Railway" is enjoyable
and highly recommended.
 Osumi
-The sub-tropical climate-
The Kagoshima mainland comprises the Osumi peninsula and
the Satsuma peninsula. The Japan Current flows along the eastern coast,
thus the area enjoys a warm climate with lush sub-tropical vegetation.
Cape Sata marks the southernmost tip of the Japanese mainland. This
area is famous for having Japan's first space centre in Uchinoura of
Kimotsuki-cho, the white sands and green pine forests of Shibushi, the
azaleas and cosmos blossoms of Takatoge, the sprawling rose garden of
Kanoya Rose Park, considered huge even in Japan, as well as the
Kihoku-Tenkyukan, an astronomical observatory said to be the best star
gazing spot throughout Japan.
In addition, this area also boasts the Kagoshima Prefecture Osumi Koiki
Park, a sports and recreation area set amidst lush greenery as well as
the “Shoyorin-no-mori”, the largest evergreen forest in Western Japan
that also welcomes visitors to explore its depths.
One hour south of Kagoshima by jetfoil is Yakushima,
home to Kyushu fs highest mountain, Mt. Miyanoura , and many other
towering peaks. Known as the floating Alps, Yakushima became the first
designated World Natural Heritage Site of Japan.
The island's symbol is the 7,200 year-old "Jomon-Sugi" cedar tree. The
Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Centre , where visitors can
learn about the island's precious environmental resources, has also
been drawing world attention as an eco-tourist spot aimed at enhancing
studies on the environment. The "Kagoshima International Conference on
World Natural Heritage h was held in 2000.
Next to Yakushima lies the island of Tanegashima, known for being the
place where firearms were initially introduced into Japan. It is also
home to what is said to be the world's most beautiful space centre.
Visitors to the Space Exhibition Centre can take part in rocket launch
simulations and other various activities.
 Amami - Mysterious ocean scenery -
The Amami islands comprise the Amami-Oshima, Kikai,
Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu and Yoron, These islands are a treasure trove
of nature, with sub-tropical vegetation, including hibiscus and
bougainvillea, the rare Amami black rabbit and the emerald green seas
rich with coral reefs. The area is a water sports paradise, offering
excellent spots for scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing. At the
"Amami Park-Tanaka Isson Memorial Art Museum ", which is built next to
the Amami airport, the greenery, history and culture of the Amami
islands are introduced. The paintings done by "Tanaka Isson", the great
Japanese painter who painted the nature of the Amami islands, are also
exhibited. Subtropical flora and fauna, as well as canoeing can be
enjoyed in the mangrove virgin forests. These islands are culturally
and ethnically different from Kagoshima mainland, making them an
attractive and interesting tourist destination. The Amami island folk
ballad, "Shimauta" has gathered recent popularity throughout Japan for
being an excellent piece of music guaranteed to stir the emotions.
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