Published date: May 28, 2025
Kagoshima: A Perfect Base to Enjoy Nature and History
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
Over the weekend, I went on a 2-night, 3-day mountain climbing trip to Kagoshima.
I stayed at the Quintessa Hotel Kagoshima Tenmonkan, located in the heart of Kagoshima city, in the Tenmonkan shopping district. The facilities were clean and comfortable, making my stay enjoyable.
The best part is the location, which is right near Tenmonkan, Kagoshima's busiest shopping area. Not only are shopping and dining options abundant, but bus routes are well developed to go anywhere within the city and suburbs, including Kagoshima Airport. The tram station Tenmonkan-dori is also nearby, easily connecting various parts of the city. Moreover, I could walk to the port, making it a convenient base for trips to Sakurajima, Yakushima, and Tanegashima.
Additionally, there are many historic sites related to figures like Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who greatly contributed to Japan's modernization from the late Edo to the Meiji period, all within walking distance, making it ideal for history enthusiasts.
Experiences during the trip
Originally, I planned to go mountain climbing for three days, but since there was heavy rain on the middle day, I climbed on the first and third days and enjoyed sightseeing in the city on the second day. Here is a brief overview of my activities on each day.
◾️ Day 1 (Mount Kaimon)
I rented a car and headed to Mount Kaimon in the southern part of the Satsuma Peninsula. It took a little over an hour using the highway. You can enjoy tranquil scenery and quiet mountain climbing.
Since Ibusuki is famous for its sand baths and somen noodles, I think it’s nice to experience those as well.
◾️ Day 2 (City - Sakurajima)
I learned about the modernization of Japan from the Bakumatsu to the Meiji period at the Ishin Furusato-kan, which is within walking distance from my hotel.
The exhibits were straightforwardly explained alongside valuable materials, and the two dramas screened in the underground hall were very engaging, making it a wonderful museum. (It's understandable that the people of Satsuma felt the necessity of Japan's modernization early on. Satsuma's solid education system also supported the development of human resources, and many people worked hard for the nation's establishment, including figures other than Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi.)
In the afternoon, as the rain stopped, I decided to visit Sakurajima. I walked around 30 minutes to the port and took the Sakurajima ferry, reaching the island in just 15 minutes. Using the island's sightseeing bus allows you to visit the major attractions. First, I learned about Sakurajima's formation at the Sakurajima Visitor Center, enjoyed a stroll along the lava footpath near the center, and then bused up to Yunohira, where the Sakurajima Observation Deck is located. Although the summit area was covered in clouds, I was very satisfied to have enjoyed Sakurajima in such a short time.
(*) If you use the bus or tram, you don’t need to walk so much to get to the port.
I returned from Sakurajima earlier than expected, so I explored Shiroyama, the site of Saigo Takamori's last stand. The center of Kagoshima city is compact, making it possible to walk from the Sakurajima ferry terminal to Shiroyama.
On the way, I stopped by the ruins of Tsurumaru Castle, which was once home to the Satsuma feudal lord, Shimazu clan, before heading up to Shiroyama. As I climbed the well-maintained footpath, I reached the 100m high observation deck overseeing the city and the Sakurajima beyond. After descending, I worshipped at the Terukuni Shrine, dedicated to the revered lord of Satsuma, Shimazu Nariakira.
Thanks to learning about Kagoshima’s history at the Ishin Furusato-kan during the day, a lot of thoughts came to me, and I felt once again that it was good to have rain today.
◾️ Day 3 (Mount Takachiho - Mount Karkuni)
On this day, I also used a rental car to visit the Kirishima Mountains. Kirishima is not a single mountain but a collection of several mountain ranges. I climbed two representative peaks: Mount Takachiho and Mount Karkuni. Both mountains offered stunning views of volcanic ruggedness and beautiful greenery.