Kagoshima city, Sakurajima, Kirishima Travel Guides

Kirishima Jingu Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Surrounded by the beautiful natural scenery of the Kirishima mountain range, it is one of southern Japan's most important places of worship and a destination where Japanese mythology, religious traditions, and magnificent architecture come together. The shrine is closely associated with the Japanes...»

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most famous active volcanoes and a defining symbol of Kagoshima Prefecture. Rising dramatically from Kagoshima Bay, also known as Kinko Bay, this imposing volcanic landscape has long captured the imagination of residents and visitors alike. Its towering slopes, rugged lava fields, and occasional plumes of volcanic smoke offer a vivid reminder of the immense forces that...»

Senganen Garden is a historic Japanese landscape garden and former villa of the Shimadzu family, the powerful feudal lords who ruled the Satsuma Domain. Located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, it is also known as Iso Teien, or Iso Garden. The garden is one of the most celebrated historical attractions in southern Japan, offering visitors a remarkable combination of traditiona...»

The Former Tanaka Family Residence is a valuable historical building in Fukuyama-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Built in 1922 by Shozo Tanaka, a successful businessman who made his fortune in the shipping industry, the residence reflects the prosperity and refined tastes of Japan during the Taisho period (1912–1926). With its grand scale, luxurious materials, and carefully crafted dec...»

Dragon's Gate Waterfall, also known as Ryumon-no-taki, is a magnificent waterfall located along the middle reaches of the Amikake River in Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Measuring approximately 46 meters in height and 43 meters in width, it is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region. The waterfall has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls. Its broad curtain of water, d...»

The Sakurajima Visitor Center is a science exhibition facility located on Sakurajima in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It introduces the natural environment, volcanic activity, and history of Sakurajima, one of Japan's most famous active volcanoes. Visitors can learn about the island's formation, repeated eruptions, changes in vegetation, and the creatures that inhabit Kinko Bay. The cente...»

Yunohira Observatory is one of the most impressive viewpoints on Sakurajima, offering visitors a close-up view of this famous active volcano. It stands on the fourth station of Kitadake, the volcano's northern peak, at an elevation of 373 meters. Among the viewpoints on Sakurajima, Yunohira Observatory is the highest. It is also known as the highest point on the mountain that is open to the gener...»

Ishin Furusato-kan is a history museum in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It introduces the history of Japan from the final years of the Edo period through the Meiji Restoration, focusing particularly on the achievements of influential figures from the Satsuma domain, including Takamori Saigo and Toshimichi Okubo. The museum explores this important period from a variety of perspectives, inc...»

The bronze statue of Takamori Saigo stands near the Kagoshima City Museum of Art in Kagoshima City. It is one of the best-known symbols of the city and commemorates one of the most influential figures in the Meiji Restoration. The statue depicts Saigo in the formal uniform of a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. He stands upright in a firm, dignified pose, with the historic landscape of Shiro...»

Io World Kagoshima Aquarium, officially known as Kagoshima City Aquarium, is a large public aquarium located in Honkoshinmachi, Kagoshima City. It opened on May 30, 1997, with the concept of the “Kuroshio Romantic Route,” focusing on the rich marine environment of Kagoshima and the Kuroshio Current. The name “Io World” was selected through a public naming contest. “Io” means “fish” in the Kagoshi...»

Hirakawa Zoological Park is a large zoo in Hirakawa-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. With a wide variety of animals, themed exhibition areas, and an amusement park, it offers an enjoyable day out for visitors of all ages. The zoo is located in a scenic setting with the Goino River flowing along its eastern side. One of its most attractive features is the view of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay...»

Shirokuma is one of Kagoshima's most famous local sweets. This colorful shaved ice dessert is generously topped with fruit, sweet beans, and other ingredients, then finished with condensed milk. Its refreshing, icy texture and attractive appearance make it especially popular during the hot summer months. The name "Shirokuma" means "polar bear" in Japanese. The dessert is a distinctive part of Kag...»

Sakurajima Daikon is a famous specialty vegetable of Kagoshima Prefecture. It is known as the world's largest variety of radish and has also been featured in the Guinness Book of Records. Some exceptionally large specimens can weigh more than 30 kilograms, making this enormous radish an impressive sight. As its name suggests, Sakurajima Daikon was originally cultivated mainly on Sakurajima, the v...»

Kagoshima Black Pork is renowned throughout Japan for its exceptional quality and is one of the local foods that visitors should not miss when traveling in Kagoshima. Its meat has fine muscle fibers and a firm texture, giving it a combination of tenderness and a pleasantly clean bite. It is especially appreciated for its rich umami and subtle natural sweetness, which distinguish it from ordinary ...»

Tsuke-age is one of Kagoshima Prefecture's best-known traditional foods. It is made by mixing minced fish paste with vegetables and other ingredients, shaping the mixture, and deep-frying it in oil. Throughout much of Japan, this type of fried fish cake is commonly known as Satsuma-age, a name associated with the former Satsuma region. In Kagoshima itself, however, it has traditionally been calle...»

Kagoshima Ramen is the regional ramen specialty of Kagoshima Prefecture, an area said to have the highest number of ramen restaurants per capita in Kyushu. It is a familiar local favorite, with each restaurant offering its own interpretation of this popular noodle dish....»

A Traditional Spirit Deeply Rooted in Kagoshima Satsuma Shochu is a traditional distilled spirit that represents Kagoshima Prefecture. It is so deeply embedded in local life that when people in Kagoshima refer simply to shochu or sake-don, they often mean this distinctive sweet potato spirit. Made primarily from sweet potatoes, Satsuma Shochu is known for its characteristic sweet-potato aroma an...»

A Nutritious and Versatile Spring Vegetable Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are a popular spring vegetable in Kagoshima Prefecture. They are valued for their fresh aroma, satisfying texture, and nutritional content. One of the simplest and most delicious ways to enjoy freshly harvested beans is to boil them with salt. They also make an excellent accompaniment to beer....»

Homemade Amazake from Kawachi Genichiro Shoten is a traditional Japanese sweet drink made entirely from rice koji. It is produced by Kawachi Genichiro Shoten, a long-established maker of koji starter cultures in Kagoshima Prefecture. Its sweetness comes naturally from the rice koji, without the addition of sugar. The drink contains maltose produced through the action of koji and is known for its ...»

A Museum Preserving the History of Satsuma's Modernization Shoko Shuseikan Museum is a historical museum located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It was established as part of the Shuseikan Project, an ambitious industrial modernization initiative begun by Shimazu Nariakira, the 28th head of the Shimazu family and lord of the Satsuma Domain. The museum first opened on May 22...»

A Shrine Honoring Shimazu Nariakira Terukuni Shrine is located in Terukunicho, in the center of Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is dedicated to Shimazu Nariakira, the 11th lord of the Satsuma Domain, and is one of Kagoshima's most important historic shrines. The shrine was formerly classified as a Beppyo Kanpeisha, a special category of government-designated shrine. It belongs to a trad...»

Satsuma Jigenryu is a special rice shochu recreated from a shochu that the Shimazu family, rulers of the Satsuma Domain, is said to have presented to the shogunate during the Edo period. At that time, rice was an extremely precious commodity, and shochu made from rice was a luxury that only the lord could enjoy. The drink is made using carefully polished rice, which is slowly fermented during the...»

The Flavor Preserved by Genichiro, the Father of Modern Shochu Genichiro Kawachi, often called the father of modern shochu, developed the koji mold known as Kawachi-kin. Approximately 80 percent of shochu producers throughout Japan use this koji, which has also crossed the sea and is used in the production of most shochu in South Korea. Originator Genichiro's Raw Makgeolli is produced by Kawachi...»

Kakuida Takara Aged for Five Years is a premium organic black vinegar produced in Fukuyama Town, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The area enjoys a warm climate, with an average annual temperature of approximately 18°C, making it well suited to the traditional production of black vinegar in ceramic jars known as kame-tsubo. The region is home to a renowned black vinegar producer that has inh...»

Kagoshima Prefecture is well known as one of Japan's early-season loquat-producing regions. Its cultivated loquat acreage ranks third largest in Japan, making the prefecture an important growing area for this sweet, refreshing fruit. Loquats grown on Amami Oshima Island benefit from the island's favorable warm temperatures. Their fruit ripens early, and shipments begin as early as February, makin...»

Black Vinegar and Brown Sugar Pickled Sand Dune Shallots are a distinctive Kagoshima souvenir made with locally grown sand dune shallots. Each shallot is carefully prepared and pickled in a mixture featuring traditional black vinegar and brown sugar, creating a memorable balance of sweetness and acidity....»

Kurobuta pork cutlet is one of the best-known ways to enjoy Kagoshima's premium black pork. Kagoshima Kurobuta is prized for its firm yet tender texture, clean flavor, rich umami, and pleasantly sweet fat. Its meat is easy to bite through, tender without being watery, and full of flavor while remaining light on the palate. The quality of Kagoshima Kurobuta has been refined through many improvemen...»

A Variety of Ways to Enjoy Kagoshima's Premium Pork Kagoshima Kurobuta, or Kagoshima black pork, is one of the prefecture's best-known specialties. Its distinctive flavor is closely connected to the sweet potatoes included in the pigs' feed. Sweet potatoes help improve the quality of the meat, giving it a pleasantly sweet, clean flavor. The muscle fibers of Kurobuta are fine, resulting in meat t...»

Black pork shabu-shabu is one of the signature dishes of Kagoshima Prefecture. Made with Kagoshima Kurobuta, a highly regarded local breed of pork, this hot-pot dish is a delicious way to appreciate the natural flavor of the meat. Thin slices of pork are briefly swished through hot broth together with vegetables. The pork is raised on feed that often includes sweet potatoes, a characteristic asso...»

Sakurajima daikon is a distinctive local vegetable grown around Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture. Known for its enormous size, it is one of the region’s best-known agricultural specialties. One traditional way of preserving and enjoying this radish is to pickle it in sake lees, the fermented rice residue left over from sake production....»

Akumaki is a traditional rice cake that has been enjoyed in Kagoshima Prefecture for generations. It is particularly associated with Tango no Sekku, the Japanese Boys' Festival celebrated on May 5. It is also sometimes called chimaki and is a familiar seasonal treat in the region. Unlike ordinary mochi, akumaki contains relatively little stickiness and has a high moisture content. This gives it a...»

Kajiki Manju is a traditional steamed bun that has long been enjoyed in Kajiki Town, Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Its appeal lies in the combination of a light, fluffy exterior and a distinctive chewy texture. Although its ingredients and appearance are simple, Kajiki Manju has a satisfying depth of flavor. It remains a much-loved local sweet that has been passed down through generations....»

Satsumadori Sable is a well-known baked confection from Kagoshima Prefecture. Made with generous amounts of butter and shaped like a chicken, it is both delicious and visually appealing. Its crisp texture and rich buttery aroma have made it a popular local specialty and a familiar souvenir from Kagoshima. Each biscuit is carefully baked by experienced confectioners using selected ingredients from...»

Karaimo Netabo is a traditional snack from Kagoshima Prefecture made with sweet potatoes, a specialty of the region. It has a gentle sweetness from the potatoes and a pleasantly chewy texture from the rice cake. Loved by children and adults alike, it is a familiar homemade treat that has been passed down through generations. The name and pronunciation vary by area. It is also known as nettapo or ...»

Nangoku Shirokuma is a popular frozen dessert that originated in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Today, it is widely known throughout Japan and has become one of the country's best-known regional sweets. Its roots lie in a shaved-ice dessert called Kori Shirokuma, which was enjoyed during the hot summer months. Finely shaved, fluffy ice is covered generously with condensed milk and topped w...»

Hyoroku Mochi is a traditional confection from Kagoshima Prefecture, known for its distinctive chewy texture. First introduced in 1931, it has remained popular across generations and is now recognized as one of Kagoshima's best-known local sweets. Its soft, chewy consistency and gentle sweetness make it a nostalgic treat for many people in the prefecture. It is also a sister product of Bontan Ame...»

Satsuma Black Steamed Hachitarou is a distinctive Japanese confection from Kagoshima, made by wrapping fragrant, rich azuki bean paste in dough flavored with brown sugar sourced from Amami. The bun is carefully steamed to achieve a particularly moist and tender texture. The combination of the deep aroma of brown sugar and the rich flavor of azuki beans gives this sweet an elegant character. It is...»

Getanha is one of Kagoshima's best-known traditional sweets, celebrated for its rich brown sugar flavor. Although its appearance is simple, each bite releases the deep sweetness and roasted aroma of brown sugar. The cake has a moist texture and a gentle yet satisfying sweetness. Loved by people of all ages, it has long been enjoyed as an everyday snack in Kagoshima households....»

Karukan is one of Kagoshima Prefecture's most representative traditional Japanese sweets. It is known for its beautiful white appearance, delicate sweetness, and distinctive texture that is both light and pleasantly chewy. Long enjoyed by local residents, karukan has become a classic Kagoshima souvenir and is widely appreciated by visitors to the prefecture. Its simple appearance conceals a soft,...»

An Elegant Japanese-Style Roll Cake Inspired by Karukan Ambassador Satsuma is a creative confection from Kagoshima that transforms karukan, one of the prefecture's best-known traditional sweets, into a Japanese-style roll cake. It is made by wrapping a filling of purple sweet potato paste from Kagoshima Prefecture in a soft, white karukan dough and rolling it by hand. The outside is decorated wi...»

A Deep, Mellow Flavor Created Through Long Aging Sakamoto's Black Vinegar is a traditional black rice vinegar produced in Fukuyama Town, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is carefully fermented and aged for at least one year, developing a mellow taste and rich depth of flavor. The product has attracted attention throughout Japan for its distinctive character. Its appeal lies in the tradit...»

Premium Fresh Gyoza Filled with the Flavor of Black Pork These fresh gyoza dumplings are made with Kagoshima Kurobuta, the region's famous black pork. They are produced by Gyoza no Big Five, a specialist manufacturer that ships its dumplings fresh rather than steaming them at the factory. All the pork used in the filling is Kagoshima Kurobuta. The proportion of pork is higher than in ordinary gy...»

A Traditional Satsuma Seasoning with the Fragrance of Barley Nanshu Countryside Miso is a traditional barley miso that plays an important role in Kagoshima's food culture. Made with barley koji, it is known for its gentle sweetness, soft aroma, and mild flavor. Rice miso is the most common type of miso in Japan, while barley miso accounts for only about five percent of total miso production nati...»

Fresh Blueberries Infused in Aged Black Vinegar Raw Fruit Black Vinegar with Blueberries is a limited-production fruit vinegar made by infusing fresh blueberries in Fukuyama Black Vinegar's Kakuida black vinegar. Kakuida black vinegar is made using specially cultivated rice, with particular attention paid to both the ingredients and production methods by the master vinegar brewer. The blueberrie...»

A Sweet Soy Sauce with More Than 300 Years of History Chojiya Dark Soy Sauce is a traditional Kagoshima seasoning made by one of the prefecture's oldest soy sauce producers. The company was founded in 1735 (Kyoho 20), and its soy sauce represents a long-standing tradition of Satsuma-style seasoning. Unlike soy sauces that emphasize saltiness, Chojiya's dark soy sauce is characterized by a rounde...»

Custadon is a popular Western-style confection from Kagoshima, made by wrapping a smooth custard cream filling in a light, fluffy sponge cake. It is an original creation by Satsuma Joki-ya, one of Kagoshima's best-known confectionery makers. The sponge is exceptionally soft, so delicate that it may seem as though it could be squashed when held. Inside is a generous filling of smooth, mild custard...»

A Much-Loved Confection with a History of Nearly 100 Years Bontan Candy is one of Kagoshima Prefecture's best-known traditional sweets. It has preserved its familiar flavor since the Taisho era and is loved for its nostalgic packaging and distinctive soft, chewy texture. It is a classic souvenir from Kagoshima and remains popular with people of all generations. The candy was first released in 19...»

Enjoy Authentic Freshly Fried Satsumaage from Kagoshima Tsukiagean's Satsumaage is a traditional Kagoshima specialty made from fish paste and fried to bring out its rich flavor. The main ingredient is minced threadfin bream, known in Japanese as itoyoridai. The fish paste is seasoned with local sake, shochu, and brown sugar, then fried in vegetable-based rapeseed oil. The finished fish cakes hav...»

A Rich Curry Made with Kirishima Aged Mythical Pork Tonkotsu-Based Kirishima Mythical Pork Curry is a popular regional retort curry that has become known throughout Japan. Its main ingredient is Kirishima Jukusei Shinwa Pork, an original pork brand from Kagoshima Prefecture developed through a distinctive combination of pig breeds. This special Kagoshima black pork is known for its exceptionally...»

Kagoshima is famous for its distinctive sweet soy sauce, a beloved part of the region’s culinary culture. Compared with soy sauces commonly found elsewhere in Japan, Kagoshima-style soy sauce has a noticeably sweeter, richer flavor, a mellow umami taste, and a slightly thick consistency. It is valued for enhancing the natural flavors of ingredients rather than overpowering them....»

The Kotsuki River is a Class B river on the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture and the main river of the Kotsuki River system. It flows through Kagoshima City before emptying into Kagoshima Bay, also known as Kinko Bay. The river has played an important role in the development and history of the city. In the past, it served as an outer moat protecting Kagoshima Castle. Its history is also ...»

Kagoshima Prefectural Yoshino Park is a beautiful urban park in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Developed as a place for local residents to relax and enjoy recreational activities, the park was created through an urban planning project that began in 1964 and continued for approximately eight years. Surrounded by abundant greenery and decorated with a wide variety of trees and s...»

Akuseki Island is part of the Tokara Islands, a remote island chain belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan. Known for its abundant natural surroundings and distinctive island culture, Akuseki offers a different kind of travel experience from Japan's major tourist destinations. Here, visitors can discover a quiet island environment, enjoy rugged coastal scenery, and experience hot spri...»

Fukiagehama Beach is an extensive sandy coastline on the western side of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. Stretching across Ichikikushikino City, Hioki City, and Minamisatsuma City, it faces the East China Sea and is known for its sweeping beaches, impressive sand dunes, and distinctive coastal landscapes. The coastline is recognized as one of Japan's Three Great Sand Dunes and has ...»

Ishibashi Memorial Park is a prefectural park located in Hama-machi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The park preserves three historic stone bridges that once crossed the Kotsuki River and played an important role in the transportation network of the former Satsuma domain. The bridges-Tamae Bridge, Kōrai Bridge, and Nishida Bridge-were originally constructed during the late Edo period under...»

Kagoshima Health Forest Park is an urban park located in Inuzako-chō, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Opened in 1992, the park was developed as part of the commemorative projects marking the 100th anniversary of Kagoshima's establishment as a city. Managed and operated by the Kagoshima City Parks Corporation under Japan's designated management system, the park provides a wide range of facil...»

Kagoshima City Museum of Art is a municipal art museum located in Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The museum is particularly known for its collection of modern Western-style paintings, including works by artists closely associated with Kagoshima and important figures in the development of modern Japanese art. The museum is situated within Kagoshima's cultural district, an are...»

Kagoshima Prefectural Museum is located in Kagoshima City and consists of three buildings: the Main Building, the Annex, and the former Archaeological Museum. It offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the prefecture’s natural environment, biodiversity, and history. Kagoshima stretches a considerable distance from north to south and is blessed with a rich variety of natural environments. Re...»

Nanshu Shrine (Nanshu Jinja) is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kamitatsuo-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is dedicated to Saigo Takamori, one of the most influential figures in modern Japanese history, as well as the soldiers of the Satsuma forces who lost their lives during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. Saigo Takamori, also known by his honorary name Nanshu, was a prominent l...»

The Kurokami Buried Torii Gate is one of the most remarkable historical sites on Sakurajima Island in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Located beside Kurokami Junior High School in the eastern part of Sakurajima, this unusual shrine gate provides a powerful reminder of the destructive force of volcanic eruptions. The gate was almost completely buried by volcanic ash and pumice during the Gre...»

Iso Beach is a scenic seaside destination located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Situated along the coast of Kinko Bay, the beach is particularly famous for its beautiful view of Sakurajima, one of Japan's most iconic active volcanoes. One of the greatest attractions of Iso Beach is the impressive contrast between the calm waters of Kinko Bay and the dramatic volcanic lands...»

Mishima Village Kikai Caldera Geopark is a fascinating geological area located south of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. It consists of three inhabited islands—Takeshima, Iojima, and Kuroshima—and the vast underwater volcanic caldera known as Kikai Caldera. The geopark preserves remarkable evidence of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in Japan's geological history. It is particu...»

Haragosha Shrine is located in Kurokami, on the eastern side of Sakurajima in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The shrine is closely associated with the catastrophic eruption of Sakurajima in January 1914, when volcanic ash, pumice, and other materials covered the surrounding settlement. The shrine is best known for its partially buried torii gate. Once approximately three meters tall, the g...»

Yunomoto Onsen is a historic hot spring area located in Yuda, Higashiichiki-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is one of the major hot spring destinations in the central part of Kagoshima and has long been cherished by local residents and visitors. The area is also known as a production center for Satsuma pottery, a traditional craft with a long history in Kagoshima. A visit to Yunomoto On...»

Arimura Lava Observatory is located in Arimura-cho, on the southeastern side of Sakurajima in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Situated south of Minamidake, one of the volcano's two main peaks, the observatory stands beside National Route 224 and offers an impressive view of Sakurajima's volcanic landscape. The observatory is built on the Taisho Lava Field, which was formed by the major erup...»

Kagoshima Castle was a Japanese castle of the Edo period, located in Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Shiroyama in the former Satsuma Province. It is also known as Tsurumaru Castle, a name traditionally used by local residents. The name is said to have originated from the shape of the castle's main residence, which resembled a crane spreading its wings. Th...»

Kagoshima Prefectural Museum of Culture, known as Reimeikan, is a comprehensive museum located in Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima City. It introduces the history, traditions, folklore, arts, and crafts of Kagoshima, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the region's distinctive cultural heritage. The museum opened in October 1983 on the former site of Tsurumaru Castle, also known as Kagoshima Cast...»

Fukiage Onsen is a historic hot spring area located in Yunoura, Fukiage-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Formerly known as Isaku Onsen and Yunoura Onsen, it has long been appreciated for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional bathing culture. Nestled in the natural surroundings of the Minamisatsuma region, Fukiage Onsen is a relaxing destination where visitors can enjoy hot spring bathing ...»

Ichiuji Castle was a medieval Japanese mountain castle located in Ota, Ijuin-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It served as an important stronghold of the Ijuin clan, a powerful family in Satsuma Province, and later became closely connected with the history of the Shimazu clan. The castle was built on a natural hill approximately 144 meters above sea level. Although much of the original stru...»

Tokushige Shrine is located in Tokushige, Ijuin-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is dedicated to Shimazu Yoshihiro, one of the most distinguished military commanders of the Sengoku period (1467–1615), who is enshrined under the divine name Kuwashihoko Izutakeo no Mikoto. A wooden statue of Yoshihiro is worshipped as the shrine's sacred object. The shrine was originally associated with th...»

Mount Shiroyama is a historic hill located in central Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is designated as both a National Historic Site and a Natural Monument of Japan. Once known as Tsurumaru-yama and Uenoyama, the hill is an important place in the history of Kagoshima and offers one of the city's most celebrated panoramic views. Shiroyama is especially popular for its views of Sakurajima,...»

Miyama is a historic pottery village in Higashiichiki-cho, Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Formerly known as Naeshiro-gawa Village in Ijuin District of Satsuma Province, the area has a long history dating back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1600). It is widely recognized as the birthplace of Satsuma ware, one of Kagoshima's best-known traditional crafts. The village traces its origins to K...»

Kinkowan Park is an urban scenic park located in Hirakawa-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is managed by the Parks and Greenery Division of Kagoshima City and is situated next to Hirakawa Zoological Park. Visitors can combine visits to the two parks, making this an attractive destination for families and nature lovers. The park is built on a hilly area with an elevation of approximat...»

Myoenji Pilgrimage is a historic annual event held in Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of October. It is known as one of the three major traditional events of Kagoshima and preserves a custom that dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868). Participants walk from Kagoshima City, the former castle town of the Satsuma domain, to Tokushige Shrine in Hioki City, where...»

The Ohara Festival is held every year on November 2 and 3 in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is one of the city's most beloved autumn traditions and is regarded as one of the three major festivals in Kagoshima Prefecture. Thousands of dancers fill the streets, creating a spectacular celebration of local music, dance, and community spirit. The festival attracts both local residents and vi...»

Shinkawa Valley Onsen refers to a group of hot spring areas spread throughout the Shinkawa Gorge in Makizono Town, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, in the former province of Ōsumi. In recent years, the area covered by this name has expanded to include hot springs in Hayato Town, Kirishima City. The region is known as a relaxing destination that attracts many visitors....»

Wake Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is dedicated to the spirit of Wake no Kiyomaro, whose enshrined title is Goō Daimyōjin. The shrine is known for its historical associations and traditional ceremonies, as well as its beautiful wisteria flowers in spring. Every year, the Wisteria Festival attracts many visitors who come to admire the flower...»

Inukai Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is one of the area's representative natural landscapes and is closely associated with historical events and notable figures from Japan's past....»

Kagoshima Shrine is a venerable Shinto shrine located in Uchinō, Hayato-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is listed as a major shrine in the Engishiki, an ancient register of shrines, and is regarded as the Ichinomiya, or highest-ranking shrine, of former Osumi Province. Its former shrine rank was Kanpei Taisha, and it is now listed among the special shrines of the Association of Shint...»

Maruo Onsen is a hot spring resort located in Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, in the former province of Ōsumi. It is one of the central areas of Kirishima Onsenkyo and is sometimes referred to simply as Kirishima Onsen, representing the wider hot spring region. With abundant hot spring water and a variety of spring qualities, Maruo Onsen is home to numerous accommodation facil...»

Kirishima Onsenkyo is the collective name for a group of hot spring areas scattered along the mid-slopes of the Kirishima Mountains, extending from Kirishima City to Yūsui Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. In a narrower sense, the name refers to a group of long-established hot springs along the Nakatsugawa River, a tributary of the Amorigawa River, on the southwestern slope of Lake Ōnami. On May 4, 1...»

Mount Shinmoedake is an active volcano with an elevation of 1,421 meters, located in the central part of the Kirishima Mountains in southern Kyushu. The Kirishima Mountains have experienced repeated volcanic eruptions since ancient times, and Shinmoedake is one of the volcanoes that make up this range. At the summit is a circular crater approximately 750 meters in diameter. A blue-green crater la...»

Ishijinja Shrine is located in Shikine, Kokubu, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Locally, it is affectionately known as “Yakussā,” a dialect expression derived from “Yakushi-sama,” meaning the Buddhist deity of medicine and healing. Today, the shrine's name is commonly written as Ishi Jinja....»

Tsurugi Shrine is located in Shikine, Kokubu, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Today, its name is generally written as 剣神社, using the character for “sword.” Historically, however, it was known as 剱神社, also meaning “sword shrine.”...»

Hiruko Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Uch i, Hayato-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Until the Edo period, it was regarded as the second most important shrine in Ōsumi Province and was also known as Ninomiya Daimyōjin....»

Kagoshima Prefectural Uenohara Jomon Forest is a historical park and archaeological museum complex located in Uenohara Jomon no Mori, Kokubu, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The facility preserves and presents the Uenohara Site, which is designated a National Historic Site, and introduces visitors to the way of life of people during the Jomon period. It is an important cultural heritage site...»

Kirishima Jingu Onsen is a hot spring area spread around Kirishima Shrine in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, in the former province of Ōsumi. Surrounded by the magnificent natural scenery of the Kirishima Mountains and the grounds of the historic shrine, it is a popular destination for visitors seeking relaxation....»

Onami Pond is an almost perfectly circular crater lake in the Kirishima Mountains, in the northeastern part of Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It measures approximately 630 meters in diameter and has a circumference of about two kilometers. Formed by volcanic activity in the Kirishima Mountains, the lake was formerly also known as Ōnami-ike, using a different character for “wave.”...»

Saigo Park, officially known as Kirishima City Saigo Park, is a historical park located in Fumoto, Mizobe-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is managed and operated by Kirishima City and is a popular sightseeing destination thanks to its convenient location close to Kagoshima Airport....»

Shiohitashi Onsen is a historic hot spring in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is also locally known as Tsurunoyu, or “Crane Hot Spring.” The onsen is part of Shinkawa Valley Onsen and lies in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by the valley of the Ishizaka River, which belongs to the Amorigawa (Shinkawa) river system. The hot spring is located along National Route 223, with the nearb...»

Hinatayama Onsen is a group of hot springs in Kagoshima Prefecture and is considered one of the oldest hot spring areas in the prefecture. The name refers to a hot spring district extending from the northwestern part of the Kokubu Plain toward its central area in Kirishima City. The area has welcomed visitors seeking therapeutic bathing for many generations. It is also famous for its connection w...»

Mount Kirishima refers to a group of volcanoes spread along the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures in southern Kyushu. The area is also known as the Kirishima Mountains, Kirishima Mountain Range, Kirishima Highlands, or Kirishima Volcanic Group. The highest peak is Mount Karakuni, which rises to 1,700 meters. The range also includes the sacred Mount Takachiho, at 1,574 meters, alon...»

Dragon Gate Waterfall, known in Japanese as Ryumon-no-taki, is a magnificent waterfall in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is approximately 46 meters high and 43 meters wide, making it one of the region's most impressive natural attractions. The waterfall is located along the middle reaches of the Amigake River. Its beauty and dramatic scale have earned it a place among Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls. Beca...»

The Kamo Camphor Tree stands within the grounds of Kamo Hachiman Shrine in Kamikudoku, Kamo-cho, Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Known as Japan's largest camphor tree, this enormous tree is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan and has become an important symbol of the local community....»

Kamo Hachiman Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kamikudoku, Kamo-cho, Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It was formerly known as Shō Hachiman Wakamiya Hachiman-gū and is dedicated to the Three Hachiman Deities. The shrine continues to serve as an important center of local faith and attracts many worshippers....»

Takachiho-gawara is an area located between Mount Nakadake and Mount Ohachi in the Kirishima Mountains, in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The area was formerly known as Setao-goe. Kirishima Shrine once stood here during the medieval period. After repeated destruction caused by eruptions of Mount Ohachi, the shrine was moved to another location. Today, the remains of the former shrine site ...»

Mount Takachiho is a 1,574-meter-high volcano located on the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures. It is the second-highest peak in the Kirishima Mountains and is included among Japan's 200 Famous Mountains. The mountain is part of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park and is a typical stratovolcano with a beautifully shaped profile. Nearby are subsidiary volcanic cones, including the acti...»