Kagoshima Travel Guide, Japan

Kagoshima, the capital of Kagoshima prefecture, is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Japan. Thanks to its warm climate and its impressive volcano, Kagoshima has been nicknamed the “Naples of Japan”. The city is located on the edge of a giant volcanic caldera, Aira Caldera, in the middle of which the Sakurajima volcano stands watching over Kagoshima and the surrounding area. The first Christians who came to Japan landed in Kagoshima, and even today, the city has a western atmosphere that attracts both Japanese and foreign tourists. Kagoshima is famous for its excellent restaurants that serve delicious regional dishes, and there are plenty of nightclubs, cafes and other interesting places to keep any tourist busy for weeks. This Kagoshima Travel Guide offers some useful information for those who are planning to visit this delightful city.

Kagoshima Travel Guide - Transport

Kagoshima International Airport is located 40 minutes from the city, and it acts as a hub for various Asian airlines. There are good connections to cities in China and Korea, and frequent domestic flights to Tokyo, Fukuoka, Okinawa and Hiroshima. In 2004, a new railway line was opened, and Kagoshima can be reached by shinkansen via Fukuoka. As Kagoshima is quite far from Tokyo, this Kagoshima Travel Guide recommends that you take a day-train if you want to travel without changing trains. You can also reach Kagoshima by bus. Bus tickets are not very cheap, but there are overnight services, and if you leave in the evening, you’ll arrive to Kagoshima by morning. Once you’re in Kagoshima, you have several options for getting around. You can rent a car, but keep in mind that traffic can be downright dreadful during rush hour. You can also take a tram to travel on longer distances within the city, but since Kagoshima is not very large, and the street layout is quite simple, you can get around on foot as well. If you are planning to visit Sakurajima, you will have to take the ferry. It takes about a quarter of an hour to reach the little volcanic island.

Kagoshima Travel Guide - Accommodation

If you haven’t booked accommodation in advance before coming to Kagoshima, the first thing you should do is go to the tourist information centre at the railway station, where you can get a list of all the affordable accommodation options in the city, and you can also ask the personnel to make reservations for you. If you want to experience Japanese culture at its purest, stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine, take a hot bath and relax dressed in traditional Japanese yukata. Nakozono Ryokan is close to the tourist attractions of the city and to the ferry station. If you are looking for truly high-class accommodation, go to Tokyu Hotel Kagoshima, a luxury hotel with rooms overlooking the volcano and with modern facilities.