Kagoshima

A short walk from the cruise terminal of Kagoshimal is Nagisa Park, a coastal park with volcanic stones for those here for a quick visit. But if you have more time, you can take a bus tour to see Sakurajima's more distant and more spectacular lava fields created by past eruptions. There are several good lookout points to experience this wonder in all its glory.

Approximately 8 kilometers to downtown Kagoshima, Tenmonkan, local buses are available, but a taxi or shuttle might be more convenient for tourists.

A Firemen’s band is often in place to perform a farewell concert.

Printable map to take along.

Kagoshima is Kyushu's southernmost, major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city is often compared with its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree lined streets, relatively hot tempered inhabitants and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius.

Tram lines connect the two stations and the city center, while the "Kagoshima City View", a circular bus line for tourists, connects all main attractions, including Senganen and the ferry pier to Sakurajima.

With One-day Pass, you can ride the city trams, city buses and City View buses as many times as you want for the day!

The ferry between volcanic island of Sakurajima and Kagoshima harbor operates frequently and around the clock. The boat ride will take about fifteen minutes. Yunohira Lookout is a two hours hike or 15 minutes drive from Sakurajima harbor and gives you a good view both to Kagoshima harbor and Sakurajima volcano. There are also a couple of other lookout points, where you can take a closer look at the volcano. Because Sakurajima is essentially an active volcano, remember that tourists are forbidden to go within 2 km of the crater

When you board a taxi, note that the vehicle's left rear door is opened and closed remotely by the driver. You are not supposed to open or close it by yourself. Furthermore, you are not supposed to tip taxi drivers, as the service is included in the price.

If you do not speak Japanese, or your destination is not a well known place, it is recommended to give your driver the precise address of your destination on a piece of paper or, even better, point it out on a map, since the Japanese address system can be confusing even to local taxi drivers.

Satsuma specialties include the ningyo (a Japanese doll), cards printed with ink made with volcanic ash and Satsuma kiriki, which is fine-cut glass. Other local products include beautiful silk made into clothing, handbags, and wallets. But probably Kagoshima's most famous product is its Satsuma pottery. This pottery has been produced in the Kagoshima area for more than 380 years and comes in two styles: black and white. White Satsuma pottery is more elegant and was used by the upper class; the black pottery was used by the townspeople in everyday life.

The currency in Japan is the yen. It comes in denominations of ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes, as well as ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1 coins.

ATMs in Japan are becoming more useful, and most can be used to withdraw funds from overseas accounts. Post offices also offer ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted at a majority of stores and restaurants in large urban areas, but if you plan on spending any time in rural areas, be sure to carry sufficient cash. Japan is still very much a cash society and some stores, hotels and restaurants-regardless of location-refuse credit cards.

Don't tip, as it's considered rude!

Cafes which offer free WiFi for customers are springing up all over the country. Costs vary, with some coffee shops offering free Wi-Fi services and others charging by the hour for cable-enabled PCs

Shops and department stores in Japan are generally open daily, including national holidays (with the exception of New Year's), from 10:00 or 10:30am to 7:30 or 8:00pm. Some specialty shops are closed Sundays and national holidays. Department stores are sometimes closed one day a week on an irregular basis, but since closing days vary for each store, shoppers can always find stores that are open.

Public Holidays in Japan