Here are some recommended photogenic spots in Kagoshima!
①Kagoshima prefectural government building, 18th floor observation lobby
First of all, we would like to introduce you to Koshikano onsen, approximately 50 min by car from Kagoshima airport.
The first one is Kagoshima prefectural government building, located about 15 min by car from Kagoshima Chuo Station!
Kagoshima prefectural government building is a landmark in Kagoshima and has an observation lobby on the 18th floor where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima♪
There are large glass windows on the east, west, north, south and west sides of the building, so we recommend viewing Sakurajima from the east side during the day and the night view of central Kagoshima from the north side at night!
The spot is indoors, so even those who don't like the cold can take their time to enjoy the view, making it a must-visit spot!
| Address | 10-1 Kamoike Shinmachi, Kagoshima 890-8577 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available |
| Business hours | Weekdays: 7:00 - 21:00 Sunday: 10:00 - 21:00 |
| Phone number | 099-286-2111 |
| Related link | https://www.pref.kagoshima.jp/aa02/kohokocho/kengaku/kentyou-kengaku.html |
②Shiroyama observatory
The next spot is the Shiroyama observatory, located about 20 min by car from Kagoshima prefectural government building.
This is a popular spot for taking pictures with a spectacular view of the Kagoshima city center, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima.
The view is different during the day and at night.
The night view of Kagoshima can be enjoyed at night!
The area was the scene of a fierce battle during the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, and nearby are the Saigo Takamori cave and the site of Takamori Saigo's demise.
If you are a fan of Saigo Takamori and history, please visit this place!
| Address | Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima, 892-0853 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available |
| Related link | https://www.kagoshima-yokanavi.jp/spot/10002 |
③Io World Kagoshima aquarium
Driving toward the seaside from the Shiroyama observatory, it takes about 10 min to reach Io World Kagoshima Aquarium.
Io World Kagoshima aquarium is the only aquarium in Kyushu that has whale sharks. 30,000 whale sharks of about 500 species are on display, and the lively fish swimming in the aquarium are very relaxing.
In addition, at Io World Kagoshima aquarium, you can see various events several times a day, such as dolphin shows and whale sharks eating.
This is a sightseeing spot that both adults and children can enjoy all day long, so be sure to visit!
| Individual | Groups | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (older than a high school student) | JPY 1,500 | JPY 1,200 |
| Children (elementary, junior high school student) | JPY 750 | JPY 600 |
| Ages 4 and over | JPY 350 | JPY 280 |
| Address | 3-1 Honko-shinmachi, Kagoshima, 892-0814 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available Free up to 1 hour (200 yen per hour after 1 hour) |
| Business hours | 9:30-18:00 (Admission until 17:00) |
| Closed day | Four days from the first monday in december |
| Phone number | 099-226-2233 |
| Related link | https://ioworld.jp/ |
④Foreign Engineer's residence (Western style residences)
Next, we will introduce you to the Former Kagoshima Spinning Mill Engineer's Hall (Western style residences).
It is located about 15 min by car from Io World Kagoshima aquarium!
The Former Kagoshima Spinning Mill Engineer's Hall was built in 1867 (Keio 3) as a dormitory for British engineers who provided technical guidance to Japan's first spinning factory, and is commonly referred to as 'Western style residences'.
It is thought to have been designed and supervised by Englishmen associated with the spinning mill, and as the first two-storied building Western-style, it has been preserved as a valuable heritage site showing the progress of Western-style architecture during the Bakumatsu period.
The museum has a modern and stylish atmosphere.
It also has photographs and documents that show what it was like in those days, so you can feel close to the history of the area!
Nearby are Sengan-en traditional garden, which we will introduce next, and Nakagawake and Hirataya, two long-established restaurants that serve the local Kagoshima delicacy of Janbo mochi (rice cakes), so please be sure to visit!
| Individual | Groups | |
|---|---|---|
| General | JPY 200 | JPY 160 |
| Children (elementary, junior high school student) | JPY 100 | JPY 80 |
| Address | 9685-15, Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima, 892-0871 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available (Parking capacity: 6 cars) |
| Business hours | 8:30 - 17:30 |
| Closed day | No mid-year break |
| Phone number | 099-247-3401 |
| Related link | https://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/kyoiku/kanri/bunkazai/shisetsu/kanko/048.html |
⑤Sengan-en
The next spot is Sengan-en, a scenic garden beauty spot located near the Former Kagoshima Spinning Mill Engineer's Hall (Western style residences).
Sengan-en is one of the most famous gardens in Japan and a representative tourist attraction of Kagoshima, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015 as a "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution".
Sengan-en has restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy Kagoshima's local cuisine, so if you are tired after exploring the garden , we recommend you to take a break!
| Garden, Shoko Shuseikan museum, palace | Garden, Shoko Shuseikan museum | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (older than a high school student) | JPY 1,500 | JPY 1,000 |
| Elementary and junior high school student | JPY 750 | JPY 500 |
| Baby | Free | Free |
| Address | 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima 892-0871 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available (300 yen per day) |
| Business hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Business holiday | No mid-year break (closed on the first sunday of march for the Kagoshima marathon) |
| Phone number | 099-247-1551 |
| Related link | https://www.senganen.jp/ |
⑥Koshikano onsen
Next, we will introduce you to Koshikano onsen, located approximately 50 min by car from Sengan-en towards Kirishima!
Since its establishment in 1978, this hot spring has gained a reputation for the quality of its spring quality!
It is a sodium-hydrogencarbonate spring quality which removes unwanted keratin from the skin and dirt from the pores, and is therefore known as a hot spring for beautiful skin♪
Of course, the spring water is free-flowing!
It is sure to heal the fatigue of your journey♪
| Address | 2625 Matsunaga, Hayato, Kirishima city, Kagoshima 899-5112 |
|---|---|
| Parking lot | Available |
| Business holiday | No mid-year break |
| Phone number | 0995-43-4046 |
| Related link | https://koshikano-onsen.com/ |
After a lot of tourism, why not eat delicious food?
How about relaxing in a hot spring?
When you travel to Kagoshima, be sure to stop by the tourists spots introduced and Koshikano onsen♪