Kagoshima Highlights
1.Places
(1) Mt. Sakurajima
It is a highly active volcano with more than 400 eruptions a year. It is also a very beautiful mountain floating on the Kinko Bay facing Kagoshima city. You will be surprised to see that such an active volcano stays close to the big city of 600,000 population. It is really a symbol of Kagoshima!
Of course it erupts mildly so that we are very safe and residents here are coexisting with it.
We will get on a ferry boat to sail to this mountain with 15 minutes’ exposure of refreshing sea wind and views.
After arrival, we will head to the Arimura Observatory, which is the closest observatory to the crater, and enjoy there seeing the overwhelming view of the volcano, often emitting smoke, and the beautiful scenery of Kagoshima city area.
On the way back to the ferry port, we will stop by the Foot Bath, which is said to be the biggest in Japan, and relax by soaking your feet into the hot spring. (Shore excursions prepared by cruise ship don’t take you to this Foot Bath.)
(2) Senganen Garden
It is a very beautiful traditional Daimyo (feudal lord) garden with the history of 400 years, and you will be so moved with its grandeur. Japanese traditional gardens are usually made like a miniature of nature, such as a pond for sea, a mound for mountain. Senganen Garden however has incorporated Borrowed Landscaping Technique, and makes you feel that it is so huge and Kinko Bay and Mt. Sakurajima look staying in it.
It also holds traditional seasonal events such as New Year’s ceremony, Poetry Banquet, various Flower Festivals.
We will roam around the beautiful garden with enjoying majestic views and elaborately trimmed plants.
We will also observe the Daimyo residence and see their lifestyle at those times, and later spend some time to see/buy souvenirs and eat local sweets.
(3) Shuseikan Museum
This museum is located next to Senganen Garden and designated as one of the world heritage sites. (Site’s of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and coal Mining)
Japan’s drastic change to modernization from samurai era 150 years ago cannot be told without Satsuma (old name of Kagoshima). People in Satsuma took leading roles in this drastic reform, and it was headed by Shimadzu Nariakira, 28th feudal lord of Satsuma. He introduced a lot of advanced technologies of western countries to develop sophisticated military weapons and commercial products.
This museum exhibits various elaborately produced goods and several imported machineries at those times as well as the history of Satsuma.
We will visit this museum to slip into the time of Japan’s drastic change and feel their life and enthusiasm.
(4) Satsuma Kiriko Cut Glass Factory
Satsuma Kiriko, a sophisticated cut crystal glass, was first developed at the time of Shimadzu Nariakira. It was highly praised by European countries for its elaborate cutting technique and the beauty of the design and gradation. Although the production was once abandoned, it was restored about 30 years ago and the elaborate techniques are still alive.
You will be able to see the production process of Satsuma Kiriko close at hand here and be fascinated by passions and skills of craftsmen as well as the beauty of glasses. (Shore excursions prepared by cruise ship don’t take you to this factory.)
2.Timetable
(duration: 7 hours)
09:00 pickup
09:30～12:00 Mt. Sakurajima
12:00～13:00 lunch
13:00～15:00 Senganen Garden
Shuseikan Museum
Satsuma Kiriko Factory
16:00 farewell
3.Price
(1) Guiding fee: 7,000 yen per person
(2) Transportation: shared by tour member
* Big group discount and children discount are available. Please make contact with us.
* Lunch and admission fees are not included above.
4.Lunch
* As for lunch, we can invite you to our house and serve homemade dishes with traditional cultural demonstrations, or prepare lunch box that you eat outside. Please refer to "Special Treat" tag.