The Ibusuki, Chiran, and Makurazaki areas offer tourist attractions such as Kinpusan (Mt. Kinpusan), Ibusuki Hot Springs, and Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots, tourist events such as Fukiagehama Sand Festival, Mendon, and Kawabe Nijichiichi Market, and local gourmet foods such as Karukan, Kagoshima ramen, and chicken rice.
Ibusuki is one of Kyushu's representative hot spring resorts. Located in the south of Satsuma Peninsula, it is filled with a tropical mood. If you come to Ibusuki, you should definitely try "suna-mushi" (sand steaming). It is a unique bathing method in which visitors are buried in sand heated by hot spring water, and it is popular for its smooth skin.
At the Sunamushi Kaikan Sunaraku, a drop-in bathhouse, you can enjoy it at the beach at low tide, or in a special area during high tide or when it rains.
At the archaeological museum "Jiyuukan COCCO Hashimure," visitors can try their hand at anguine weaving or making stone ornaments, and at "Flower Park Kagoshima," a 36.5-hectare site with subtropical plants from around the world, visitors can enjoy the view of Kinko Bay and flowers as they please.
Chiran, where samurai residences still remain, has been selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The Chiran Buke Yashiki Garden offers a tour of six dry landscape gardens and a pond garden with a pond.
You can also taste local cuisine in the samurai residence at Kojo-an. Enjoy local specialties such as sake sushi and ryobo mochi (rice cakes) cooked with local sake in a tatami room. In addition, there are also restaurants where you can enjoy Satsuma cuisine such as sashimi of kibinago (dried young sardines) and slow-cooked pork bones of Satsuma Kurobuta (pork belly).
For tea time, the tea room attached to the "Satsuma British Museum Tea World" is recommended. The museum introduces the history of Satsuma from the perspective of England, with which Satsuma had friendly relations, and you can enjoy an authentic afternoon tea.
Makurazaki Station on the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line is the southernmost station on the Japanese mainland. Makurazaki is the center of the bonito pelagic fishing industry, and there are many bonito flakes factories in the city. When viewed from high ground, the smoke rising from the factories looks like the steam from a hot spring.
At the Makurazaki Fish Center, you can try your hand at making dried bonito flakes and shaving bonito flakes from straw. At the "Satsuma Shuzo Hanawatogawa Distillery Meiji Kura," you can tour a shochu (distilled spirit) factory that preserves the traditional methods of production.
Ibusuki Onsen is one of southern Kyushu's best-known hot-spring destinations, located in the eastern part of Ibusuki City in Kagoshima Prefecture, in the historic region of Satsuma. Rather than referring to a single bathhouse, the name encompasses a broad collection of hot-spring areas, including the famous Surigahama Onsen, Yajigayu Onsen, and Nigatsuden Onsen. The area is renowned for its abund...»
The Chiran Samurai Residence Gardens are a historic district in Minami-Kyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, where traditional samurai residences, stone walls, hedges, and beautiful Japanese gardens preserve the atmosphere of Japan's Edo period (1603–1868). Often described as “Little Kyoto of Satsuma,” Chiran is particularly famous for its approximately 700-meter-long samurai residence street. The t...»
The Satsuma Folklore Museum is an art museum in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, dedicated to the history, culture, and traditional arts of the Satsuma region. Its collection includes Satsuma ware, Chinese ceramics, historical documents, paintings, and other valuable works that offer visitors an opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of southern Kyushu. The museum displays pieces co...»
Ibusuki Hakusuikan is a long-established Japanese hot spring inn in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Surrounded by the blue sea and lush greenery, the property offers a relaxing setting in which guests can experience the distinctive attractions of Ibusuki, including its famous sand baths and the grand Genroku Baths. The inn combines the traditional atmosphere of a Japanese ryokan with extensiv...»
Lake Ikeda is a spectacular volcanic lake located in the southeastern part of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. Formed by volcanic activity, it is known as the largest lake in Kyushu. With its beautiful natural surroundings, fascinating geological features, and mysterious legends, it is one of the region’s most distinctive sightseeing destinations. The lake measures approximately 3.5...»
Tamatebako Onsen is a scenic day-use hot spring in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Located right beside the sea, it offers spectacular views of the surrounding coastline and Mount Kaimon, the beautifully shaped volcano also known as the “Satsuma Fuji.” The combination of open-air bathing, ocean scenery, and the natural landscape of southern Kagoshima makes this one of the area's most memorable...»
Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi is a popular dining and sightseeing destination in Kaimon, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is nationally known as the birthplace of revolving somen nagashi, a distinctive way of eating thin Japanese noodles in which water circulates around a special bowl and carries the noodles past diners. The facility is located in Karafune Gorge, a beautiful valley surrounded by c...»
Choujuan Kaimon Tosenkyo is a popular somen nagashi restaurant in Karafune Gorge, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the gorge, the restaurant offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy chilled Japanese noodles beside a clear stream. The restaurant is particularly appealing because of its location close to the flowing water. Guests can enjoy their meal while lis...»
Municipal Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi is a popular dining attraction in Karafune Gorge, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is widely known as the birthplace of revolving somen nagashi, a distinctive style of eating thin Japanese noodles in which water circulates around a special bowl and carries the noodles past diners. The facility attracts approximately 200,000 visitors each year. It is especial...»
Mt. Kaimon is a beautifully shaped, cone-like volcano rising to an elevation of 924 meters on the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. Located in Ibusuki City, it is one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains and is widely known by the nickname Satsuma Fuji, thanks to its graceful profile, which resembles Mount Fuji. The mountain forms part of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park a...»
Kibinago is a small, silvery fish and one of Kagoshima Prefecture's best-known local seafood specialties. Although it grows to only about 10 centimeters in length, it is prized for both its attractive appearance and delicate flavor. The fish is easily recognized by the beautiful silver band running along the side of its body. One explanation for its Japanese name, kibinago, is that this band rese...»
Ontamaran-don is a local rice bowl specialty from Ibusuki City in Kagoshima Prefecture, an area famous for its unique sand-steaming hot spring baths. The dish takes its name from the combination of onsen tamago, meaning hot spring egg, and the Japanese expression oishikute tamaranai, meaning “so delicious that you cannot get enough of it.” The name, Ontamaran-don, conveys the irresistible appeal ...»
Bonito Ramen is a local specialty representing Makurazaki City in Kagoshima Prefecture. It makes generous use of bonito, a fish that has long been an important local product. Makurazaki is renowned as Japan's leading production center for dried bonito, and this ramen was created from the town's rich food culture. Although the soup has a light, delicate character, it offers a deep and satisfying f...»
Yamakawa-zuke is a traditional pickled daikon radish specialty from the Yamakawa area of Ibusuki City, at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. The region lies near the foot of Mount Kaimon and has long been known for its daikon cultivation. The area is also well suited to drying daikon because frost is rare even during winter. This favorable climate helped local resi...»
Kibinago is a small, silvery fish that has long been enjoyed in Kagoshima Prefecture. Measuring approximately 10 centimeters in length, it is one of the region's representative local seafood specialties. It is highly regarded not only for its flavor but also for its attractive appearance, and Kagoshima is one of Japan's leading producers. Kibinago are commonly found in the waters around southern ...»
Hinokami Park is a scenic destination in Makurazaki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, offering sweeping views of the East China Sea. Located at the tip of a cape on the southwestern edge of the Satsuma Peninsula, the park is surrounded by expansive ocean scenery and natural landscapes. It is a popular place for sightseeing and outdoor recreation....»
One of Japan’s Leading Sweet Potato-Producing Regions Sweet potatoes are one of Kagoshima Prefecture’s signature agricultural products. They are popular throughout Japan for their naturally sweet flavor and fluffy texture. Kagoshima is one of the country’s leading sweet potato producers, harvesting approximately 400,000 tonnes annually-around 40 percent of Japan’s total production. It is truly a ...»
Bright Orange Flesh Rich in Beta-Carotene Kagoshima mainly cultivates pumpkin varieties with a moist, dense texture and a pleasantly sticky consistency. The prefecture has the second-largest pumpkin harvest in Japan. One particularly well-known variety is Kaseda Pumpkin, the first agricultural product to receive the Kagoshima Brand production-area designation. Fully ripened Kaseda pumpkins are hi...»
A Kagoshima Specialty with Benefits for Health and Beauty A Healthy and Beauty-Enhancing Specialty Grown in Coastal Sand Dunes Rakkyo, a small bulb vegetable with a distinctive aroma and a wonderfully crisp texture, is one of Kagoshima's local specialties. It is commonly served pickled in vinegar or salt and has long been enjoyed as a flavorful accompaniment to meals. In Kagoshima Prefecture, it...»
A Resilient Vegetable That Tolerates Heat, Cold, and Disease Chard is a biennial plant in the same family as spinach. It originated in the eastern Mediterranean region and Central Asia. It is resistant to both heat and cold and can be cultivated continuously throughout the year. This ability to produce crops without a seasonal break is the reason for its Japanese name, fudansō, meaning a vegetabl...»
Nutritious Peas Nurtured by the Southern Sun Mi-endō, also known as green peas, are characterized by their vivid green color and natural sweetness. Freshly shelled peas are especially delicious when cooked with rice. They are also frequently used to add color to a wide variety of dishes. Boiled green peas can be served with salads, dressed vegetable dishes, and stir-fries. They can also be purée...»
A Representative Kagoshima Flavor Nurtured by the Kuroshio Current Bonito from Kagoshima Prefecture is one of the region’s signature seafood products, nurtured by the rich waters of the Kuroshio Current. It is rich in protein and low in fat, and also contains plenty of B vitamins and vitamin D, making it a highly nutritious fish. Bonito fishing has been carried out in Kagoshima for centuries, and...»
A Commitment to Exceptional Quality and Delicious Flavor Kagoshima Prefecture ranks third in Japan in both cultivated area and production volume of mangoes, and its "Kagoshima Mango" brand enjoys considerable popularity....»
Satsuma Shuzo's Kedogawa Distillery, known as "Meiji-gura," is a historic shochu distillery whose roots date back to the Meiji era (1868–1912). It is a valuable sightseeing destination where visitors can experience Kagoshima's traditional culture of authentic shochu production. Production methods passed down for more than 100 years and the skills of experienced craftsmen remain alive here today, ...»
A Sweet, Cake-Like Dish Made with Fish Paste Koga-yaki is a traditional local dish that looks like a finely textured cake and has a gentle sweetness that spreads throughout the mouth. Despite its appearance and dessert-like flavor, it is actually a type of Japanese omelet made with fish paste....»
Bonito head dish, known locally as katsuo no binta ryōri, is a traditional specialty of Makurazaki, a city in southern Kagoshima Prefecture famous for its bonito fishing and processing industry. The word binta means "head" in the Kagoshima dialect. As its name suggests, this dish makes use of the head of the bonito. The head is boldly simmered in salted water, creating a simple preparation that b...»
A Premium Japanese Preserved Food, Carefully Handmade in One of Japan’s Leading Bonito-Producing Regions Makurazaki’s Traditional Specialty Among the many types of katsuobushi (dried bonito), one of Japan’s best-known preserved foods, honkarebushi is regarded as the finest quality. It requires particularly extensive time and effort to produce. Makurazaki City in Kagoshima Prefecture is widely k...»
Premium Dried Bonito Used in Everything from Fine Restaurants to Everyday Home Cooking Makurazaki dried bonito, known as Makurazaki katsuobushi, is produced in Makurazaki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and is regarded as one of Japan’s finest dried bonito products. It is widely used in everything from high-end restaurants to ordinary households. Its rich aroma and deep umami make it an important in...»
A Deeply Flavored Sweetener from the Southern Islands Satsunan Seito produces brown sugar made from sugarcane grown in the Amami Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture. The sugar is known for its distinctive aroma and rich sweetness, reflecting the tropical climate and agricultural traditions of southern Kagoshima. Brown sugar is a type of unrefined sugar made by boiling down sugarcane juice and concen...»
Makurazaki Honkarebushi is a premium type of dried bonito produced in Makurazaki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, a region widely known as Japan's “Town of Bonito.” Makurazaki is one of Japan's leading bonito-producing areas, and its traditional production techniques have been passed down through generations. Honkarebushi is highly regarded for its rich fragrance and deep umami flavor. It is used in a...»
Chiran Green Tea is a celebrated Japanese green tea produced in Minamikyushu City, in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture. Kagoshima is one of Japan’s leading tea-producing prefectures, and Chiran tea is among its best-known brands. Grown in a warm climate surrounded by rich natural landscapes, this tea is prized for its mellow umami, deep flavor, and refreshing aroma. For visitors explorin...»
Bonotsu is a historic place name in Satsuma Province and was once one of Japan's flourishing ancient ports. Today, the name refers to the Bonotsu area of Bonotsu-cho, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is also used more broadly for the surrounding area, including Tomari, Kushi, and Akime. Bonotsu is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government. Its historical signif...»
Fukiagehama Seaside Park is a large prefectural urban park located in Takahashi, Kaseda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Set against the rich natural environment of Fukiagehama Beach, the park offers a wide variety of recreational facilities and is enjoyed throughout the year by both local residents and visitors....»
The Minamisatsuma City Bansei Tokko Peace Memorial Hall is a war-history museum located in Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It was established to commemorate the 201 airmen from the Imperial Japanese Army's Bansei Airfield who died in special attack missions during the final stages of the Pacific War. The museum preserves personal belongings and historical materials associated with the a...»
Mount Kinpo is a mountain with an elevation of 636 meters, located in Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It consists of three peaks: the Main Peak, East Peak, and North Peak. Locally, the mountain is also known as “Bijin-dake,” meaning “Beauty Mountain.” This name comes from its graceful outline, which is said to resemble the profile of a beautiful woman lying down. Mount Kinpo is also inc...»
Makurazaki Station is located in Higashihonmachi, Makurazaki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is the terminal station of the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). The line is known as the southernmost railway line in the JR Group network, and a monument at the station commemorates its status as the southernmost starting and terminal station on Japan's mainland. Wit...»
Satsuma Shuzo Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese alcoholic beverage manufacturer headquartered in Makurazaki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, in the former Satsuma Province. The company has inherited the region's traditional brewing culture and produces and sells shochu enjoyed by fans throughout Japan. In 2023, it also entered the whisky business, marking a new stage in its development....»
The Southernmost Station on the JR Network Nishi-Oyama Station is located in Yamagawa-Ōyama, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is a station on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). Known as the southernmost station on Japan's main islands and the southernmost station in the JR network, it is a popular destination for visitors....»
Cape Nagasakibana is a scenic headland at the southernmost tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in southern Kagoshima Prefecture. It is located in Okachogamizu, Yamagawa, Ibusuki City, formerly part of Yamagawa Town. The cape forms part of the outer rim of the Ibusuki volcanic caldera and is made up of volcanic rock. Its dramatic coastline, panoramic ocean views, and association with the Japanese folktal...»
The Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots is a history museum located in Chiran-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It displays materials relating to the special attack missions carried out by Imperial Japanese Army air units during the final stages of World War II. The museum stands within Chiran Peace Park, a memorial area developed to preserve the memory of those who died in the wa...»
Chiran Samurai Residence Street and Gardens are a historic district in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The area preserves the streetscape and residential gardens that convey the lives of samurai during the Edo period (1603-1868). The town layout was developed more than 260 years ago, during the time of Hisamine Shimazu, the lord of Chiran. The historic samurai residences and their garden...»
Kamafuta Shrine is located in Beppu, Ei-cho, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Its official name is Itate Tsuwamononushi Shrine, and it is also known as Kamafuta Shrine and Kamafuta Daimyojin. The shrine has long been worshipped by people praying for success in battle and good fortune. Today, it is widely known as a power spot visited by athletes, celebrities, and people seeking success in...»
Kiyomizu Iwaya Park is a municipal park located in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is also known simply as Iwaya Park and is valued for its combination of natural beauty, clear water, and historical heritage. The park is the source of the Kiyomizu Shinoide Irrigation Canal, whose water has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Irrigation Canals. Downstream along the Manose River, w...»
Fushime Onsen is a historic hot spring area in Yamagawa-Fukumoto, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is also known as Yamagawa Onsen and has long been familiar to local residents and visitors. The area was formerly part of Satsuma Province and is known for its abundant geothermal resources. It is one of the many attractions in and around Ibusuki City....»
Kagoshima Flower Park is a prefectural botanical garden located in Yamagawa-Okachogamizu, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Flowers bloom throughout the four seasons, creating colorful landscapes that delight visitors. The park opened in 1996 and occupies an extensive site....»
Chiringashima is a beautiful island in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is particularly famous for a natural phenomenon in which a sandbar, known as a tombolo, emerges at low tide and connects the island to the mainland. This temporary land connection makes Chiringashima a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the unusual sight of walking across the sea to an uninhabited is...»
The Iwasaki Museum of Art and Crafts is located in Jūnichō, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It consists of two facilities: the Iwasaki Museum of Art, established in April 1983, and the Iwasaki Yoshie Craft Museum, which opened alongside it in October 1998. Together, these facilities are referred to as the Iwasaki Museum of Art and Crafts....»
Hirakiki Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kaimon Jūchō, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is listed as a shrine in the Engishiki, an ancient register of shrines, and is known as the ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of Satsuma Province. Its former official rank was National Shrine of the Third Rank, and it is currently included in the Association of Shinto Shrines' list of d...»
A Scenic Gorge Famous for Its Clear Spring Water Tosenkyo Gorge is located in Kaimon-ju, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwest of Lake Ikeda. It is widely known as the birthplace of Japan's rotating somen noodle experience, a unique way of enjoying thin Japanese wheat noodles in circulating cold water. More than 300,000 visitors come to the gorge each year, making it one of the area's mos...»
Unagi Onsen is a secluded hot spring village nestled on the steep eastern shore of Lake Unagi in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Surrounded by mountains, the settlement has a peaceful rural atmosphere, while volcanic steam rising from the ground reveals the powerful geothermal activity beneath it. Lake Unagi was formed approximately 5,700 years ago when a volcanic crater collapsed. Volcanic a...»
Ibusuki Shrine is located in Higashikata, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. In earlier times, it was known as Kaimon Shingū Kusha Daimyojin and was also read as “Shingū Shrine.” Today, it remains a place of worship cherished by local residents and visitors, offering a glimpse into the history and culture of the region....»