Kagoshima

Understand

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.

Tourist information site The local Convention and Visitors Bureau has a multilingual guide site.

Getting there

By plane 1 Kagoshima Airport (KOJ IATA) (Kirishima). Kagoshima's Airport is one hour away from Kagoshima's main train station by bus (¥1500 in 2025). There are buses from the companies Iwasaki and Nangoku-Kotsu every 10 minutes going from and to the city center, most or all of them stopping at the main train station and the Tenmonkan shopping street. If a few of them stop at the port, it is 15 minutes away by foot from the stops of Tenmonkan, Kinseichō and the city hall. (updated Nov 2023)

By train Kagoshima is the southernmost city on Japan's extensive bullet train network. Services terminate at Kagoshima's main rail station, Kagoshima-Chuō (鹿児島中央). Kyushu Shinkansen trains run several times per hour from Hakata Station in Fukuoka, taking as little as 80 minutes at a cost of ¥11,420. If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can use Kyushu Shinkansen services at no charge, except Mizuho trains. Sakura and Mizuho trains connect Kagoshima with stations north and east on the San'yo Shinkansen network. Using the Sakura, Hiroshima is 2 hr 40 min away (¥17,200), Okayama 3 hr 20 min (¥19,830) and Osaka 4 hr 10 min (¥21,300). From Tokyo, it is possible to travel the full distance of the Tokaido, San'yo and Kyushu shinkansen lines in 7 hours using a combination of Nozomi and Kyushu Shinkansen trains. The use of Nozomi and Mizuho trains requires a supplemental Nozomi Mizuho ticket to be used alongside the Japan Rail Pass within its validity period. However, Japan Rail Pass holders can make a day trip in 8 hours using a combination of Hikari and Sakura/Tsubame services free of charge. Note that Kagoshima has two central stations, Kagoshima (鹿児島駅) and Kagoshima-Chuō (鹿児島中央駅). The former is the older station slightly to the north of the city centre, and you're unlikely to use it. The much larger Kagoshima-Chuō station is likely where you'll be travelling to and from. Don't confuse them!

2 Kagoshima-Chūō Station. The last stop on the Kyushu Shinkansen. (updated Oct 2019)

Sleeper trains Because all sleeper trains from Tokyo and Kansai to Kyushu have been discontinued, traveling overnight to Kagoshima strictly by train could be a little difficult. Thankfully, trips are easier to make now that the Kyushu Shinkansen is fully operational. From Tokyo, it is still possible to take an overnight train, the 22:00 Sunrise Seto/Sunrise Izumo, to Okayama where you can connect to a bullet train the next morning to continue the journey. With a Japan Rail Pass, a connection to a Sakura at Okayama will get you to Kagoshima at around 10:45. Without a Rail Pass you can connect in Okay

Getting around

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. You can pay with IC-cards but compatibility is quite bad - even JR Kyushu's SUGOCA card cannot be used. Unless you've picked up Kagoshima's local RapiCa card you likely will be forced to pay in cash. Each tram comes equipped with change machines, located at the front and back of the trams. Streetcar signage varies by the age of the streetcar; some have electronic signs that indicate the stop, but many do not. Streetcar information and a route map are available from www.synapse.ne.jp. The ferry between volcanic island of Sakurajima and Kagoshima harbor operates frequently and around the clock. The boat ride will take about fifteen minutes. Given Kagoshima's relatively small size and straighforward layout, buses (¥150) are less confusing than in larger Japanese cities. If you plan to make Kagoshima a base for multiple trips, or make Kagoshima a stop on a trip throughout Kyushu, then a 5-day Kyushu rail pass may be the best option. If you are travelling from Tokyo or farther via train, then a 7-day Japan Rail pass is about the same price as a one-way shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Kagoshima. Both of these passes have extensive limitations; be sure to review terms and purchase your pass before entering Japan.

3 Kagoshima Station. Offers a train to Kagoshima-Chūō Station. (updated Oct 2019) 4 Ryūgamizu Station. An unmanned station on the edge of the city. Offers a train to Kagoshima-Chūō Station. (updated Oct 2019) Sakurajima Ferry. Offers service between Kagoshima Port and Sakurajima Port. (updated Oct 2019)

See

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. Island View bus will take RapiCa but 230¥ per ride, so the day pass will pay for itself in just 2 stops. You will likely visit more than 2 stops during your trip. Island View bus runs 09:30- 17:25 (as of April 2026). Consider spending half to a whole day, and may be a worthwhile activity on a mild/moderately rainy day as the ferry is covered and the bus practically provides door to door stops. Most valuable stops include: 1) the Sakurajima Visitor Center (also a 10 minute walk from ferry terminal so the bus isn’t necessary) (free) as it has some educational displays regarding volcanoes, a gift shop, and a free foot bath; 2) Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center (free) which has in-depth educational activities regarding Sakurajima including a short film, VR, recordings of multiple eruptions through the years, and international collaboration with other countries dealing with erosion in volcanic areas with sizeable populations. The Sabo Center offers free wifi and QR codes for English explanations of displays. Beware that only every other Island View bus makes it out to the Sabo Center (Bus B) so setting an alarm in 55 minutes may be wise or else you’ll be waiting another 30 minutes; 3) Yunohira Observatory which is about 15 minutes on the bus up the volcano and provides views of the peak, the bay and Kagoshima City and a small gift and snack shop. The bus will stop here for 10 minutes, and is punctual so consider setting a 9 minute alarm or you will be there until the next bus 30 minutes later. Seeing the three points of interest listed above via Island Bus could last about 2.5 hours. Consider using the onsen at the Rainbow Sakurajima Inn or eating local-food (before 2pm) at the Hinoshima Megumikan Rest Stop. Beware that the tourist map features 3 bus stops with the English word “observatory”. Likely, you want the Yunohira Observatory as the other “observatory” stops may feature only a nice view, a vending machine and a few friendly feral cats. Akam

Do

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)

Buy

1 Tenmonkan shopping arcade (天文館通り, Tenmonkan-dōri) has a plethora of shops, where you can satisfy your consuming needs. 2 Amu Plaza Kagoshima. attached to Kagoshimachuo station, can enter from 1F or 2F of the station or go outside and head east a few steps. Contains a grocery, Sanrio shop, music store, stationary store, craft shop, kitchenware, cinema, game arcade, restaurants 5F, and Ferris wheel on the roof. In general, expensive shops are closer to the station entrances and on the lower floors. Youth clothing, cool-casual are more likely found on 3F and 4F. If just looking for a place to sit, try B1F or 6F as you’re not supposed to sit on the seats for potential waiting customers outside restaurants. Looking for a place to sit sounds silly, but most gaijin seen in the 100¥ shops/Daiso/3Coin are buying shoe inserts and foot bandages, to give an idea of the brutal amount of daily walking. (updated Oct 2019)

Eat

See Kagoshima prefecture for listings of regional dishes.

Drink & nightlife

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. Because Kagoshima is the center of manufacture, many factories offer tours and have small shops for tasting and purchasing the locally made shochu.

Sleep

Budget If you're looking for inexpensive accommodation, the tourist information in the Kagoshima station can hand you a leaflet, where they have listed all the inexpensive options in Kagoshima. They can also check availability and book the accommodation for you.

1 Nakazono Ryokan, 1-8 Yasuicho, ☏ +81 80-3906-8010, fax: +81 99-226-5126. Near the City Hall and close to the ferry terminals. A pleasant place to stay and has a helpful manager. ¥4200. 2 Kagoshima Little Asia Guest House. A 1-minute walk from Kagoshima-Chuo station (take the west exit (西口) towards the buses, and walk straight). Free internet, laundry (with detergent), guest kitchen, air-conditioning, and TV, ¥280 dinner, weekly and monthly rental available at discount. Both owners speak very good English. Male/Female Dorm ¥1500, singles ¥2500, twins ¥2000 per person. 3 Green Guest House (from Izuro tram station, walk towards Dolphin port and one street back, there is a main street Route 216 (that's the name), turn right and follow it past a bunch of gas stations, opposite 24-hr Yoshino restaurant.). Free internet, laundry (with detergent), guest kitchen, air-conditioning, and TV, ¥500 dinner with extra refill if needed. Free bike hire for 1 hour and ¥500 per 24 hr. Staff speak very good English. Separate male/female dorm ¥1500, mixed dorm capsule or Japanese style ¥2000, Single room King size bed ¥2,500 per person or ¥2,000 for each person (couple or family) or single room bunk bed ¥2,000 for each person and private twin room Japanese style ¥2,000 for each person.

Mid-range

Splurge JR Kyushu Hotel. 5000. (updated Mar 2024)

Go next

Ibusuki Minamikyushu Hioki Aira Kajiki Kirishima Kirishima National Park Mishima Islands Tanegashima Yakushima