Senganen

A typical Japanese garden with a view of Sakurajima. There are also a variety of facilities for dining and souvenirs. ‘Shoko-Shuseikan’, a museum displaying historical documents related to the Shimazu family, and a factory adjacent to the museum where you can observe beautiful productions of Satsuma Kiriko (cut glass).

Ibusuki hot spring

Ibusuki, famous for its ‘Sunamushi’ (sand bath), is one of the most popular hot spring villages in Kyushu, with more than 1,000 sources of hot spring. When you are buried in the sand heated by the hot spring water for about 10 minutes, you will be warmed to the core.

Kirishima Art Forest

This open-air art museum is located on a plateau at an altitude of 700 meters. In the vast park, art works by famous artists from all over the world are exhibited. A wide variety of unique works are exhibited, including Yayoi Kusama.

Yakushima Island

It is a beautiful island registered as a World Natural Heritage Site. Many people come from all over the country to see the 7,200-year-old cedar trees (Jomon sugi) and other Yakusugi cedars. Shiratani Unsuikyo, which became the stage model for Ghibli work “Princess Mononoke”, is also popular.

Kurobuta pork

Kagoshima Kurobuta pork is a breed that has been protected and raised for more than 400 years in Kagoshima. Dishes using this pork, such as ‘shabu-shabu’ (hotpot) and ‘tonkatsu’, are very popular.

Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)

Makurazaki, a port town, has been Japan’s largest producer of dried bonito flakes, an essential part of Japanese cuisine, for almost 20 years.　They continue to use traditional methods to produce dry bonito flakes, so you can enjoy a mellow aroma that you can’t get from instant dashi (broth) packs.

Satsuma-age

Satsuma-age, a specialty of Kagoshima, is a fried fish paste seasoned with sake and seasonings. It’s a popular souvenir.

Karukan

Karukan is a cake made of yam, rice flour and sugar. In recent years, ‘karukan manju’, a sweet bean paste wrapped in karukan dough, has become popular.

Ohara Festival

This festival started in 1949 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Kagoshima City’s municipal organization. The festival is held for two days from November 2 to 3 every year in the Tenmonkan Street area. Over 20,000 dancers dance to traditional Kagoshima folk songs such as “Ohara-bushi” and “Kagoshima Haiya-bushi,” which is a highlight of the festival.

Yagoro Don Festival

The festival has been held at Iwakawa Hachiman Shrine located in Osumi-cho, Soo City from November 3 to 5 every year and has a history of more than 900 years. The highlight of the festival is the “Hama-Kudari”, in which 4m85cm tall Yagorodon doll is paraded from the shrine to the downtown area. Other events such as martial arts and entertainment competitions are also held.