Kagoshima (鹿児島) is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Kagoshima is a historical city watched over by the looming bulk of Sakurajima (桜島), an active volcano that regularly dumps ash over the city and erupts a bit every now and then to remind people it's still there. It is a decade volcano, considered exceptionally dangerous because it has large eruptions and is near a city. The home of near-mythical samurai hero Saigo Takamori (see History), it's full of sites related to the Satsuma Rebellion. The local Convention and Visitors Bureau has a multilingual guide site.
Upon arrival do consider buying a RapiCa IC card at the station (500¥ for the card and load with about 500¥ per day spent in Kagoshima) as the Welcome Suica cards do NOT work in Kagoshima. Streetcars are a convenient way to get around Kagoshima city. Both lines 1 and 2 can be boarded at the Kagoshima station; only line 2 runs by Kagoshima-chuo. Board the tram from the back door, and pay the ¥170 (verified March 2025) per ride fee when exiting the front door. If you don't have exact change, the fare machine can make change, but it is polite to get your change during the ride, so as to not hold people up when at your final stop.
1 Sakurajima (桜島). Kagoshima's temperamental (and active) volcano can be reached by ferry in a matter of minutes 250¥. Start from the Sakurajima Ferry Kagoshima Terminal which is along the waterfront and also features the Kagoshima City Aquarium. Pay for the ferry upon arrival at the Sakurajima port (and pay here for your return trip). Multiple ways to pay including RapiCa card, cash, and credit card. Upon arrival at the Sakurajima port, highly consider getting a map (free, English map available) and a tourist bus day pass 500¥ (April 2026). The tourist bus day pass is good for the Island View loop bus.
Sunamushi or sunaburo is a hot spring and sand bath combined. "Bathers" are covered in hot sand. It can be found at Ibusuki Onsen, about an hour south of Kagoshima. 1 Amuran. A large Ferris wheel atop AMU Plaza attached the Kagoshimachuo station. Enter from 6F near cinema and game arcade. You’ll also find a rubbish bin (rare!) and public toilets on 6F, so it could be an inexpensive and quick way to take in the view of Kagoshima if just passing through. 500¥. (updated Sep 2025)
Kagoshima is known throughout Japan for its sweet potato shochu, or imo-jochu (芋焼酎). While shochu is often compared to vodka, it first goes through a fermentation process. In Kagoshima, almost all restaurants have imo-jochu, and some have hundreds of different brands. Even the Shinkansen platforms at Kagoshima-chuo station have a bar/shop with more than 100 varieties of shochu. In Kagoshima, the most common way to drink shochu is mixed with hot water, or oyu-wari. This releases the fragrance of the shochu, and also reduces the alcohol content to be on-par with wine.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Kagoshima typically sees ~32°C daytime highs and 17 rainy days.
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