Kagoshima Downtown ©K.P.V.B
Kagoshima Prefecture, situated in Japan’s Kyushu region, is celebrated for its spectacular natural beauty, geothermal hot springs, and rich historical heritage. This region is home to well-known tourist destinations such as Kagoshima City and Ibusuki Onsen, with the iconic Sakurajima volcano as a prominent feature. Kagoshima is also famed for its culinary delights, with globally acclaimed delicacies like Kurobuta (black pork) and Imo Shochu (sweet potato shochu) making it a gastronomic paradise.
Visitors are drawn to the prefecture’s diverse attractions, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in exploring stunning landscapes, indulging in relaxing hot springs, or savoring delectable dishes, Kagoshima has it all. It’s a destination that appeals to both domestic and international travelers, making it a must-visit locale in Japan.
Kagoshima Location
Kagoshima Prefecture is situated in the southwestern part of Japan’s mainland, covering a total area of 9,188 square kilometers. It comprises two primary peninsulas, the Satsuma Peninsula and the Osumi Peninsula, along with various remote islands like Tanegashima, Yakushima, and Amami Oshima. The prefecture stretches approximately 590 kilometers from north to south and around 272 kilometers from east to west. Its total area of 9,188 square kilometers is roughly similar size to the city of Los Angeles in the United States, which spans about 10,492 square kilometers.
11 active volcanoes in Kagoshima
Japan has a total of 110 active volcanoes, with Kagoshima Prefecture hosting 11 of them. Among these, five volcanoes, namely Kirishima, Sakurajima, Satsuma-Iojima, Kuchinoerabu Island, and Suwanosejima, are constantly monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency as “constantly observed volcanoes.” These volcanoes are under 24-hour surveillance to track volcanic activity.
Kirishima
©K.P.V.B
Sakurajima
©ken.n.miffy.752
Satuma Iojima
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Kagoshima: Hot Spring Kingdom
Kagoshima Prefecture boasts around 100 hot spring resorts with over 2,700 thermal spring sources, ranking second in Japan. It’s also one of the top hot spring regions in the country, with an impressive daily output of over 225 million liters of hot spring water.
Ibusuki Natural Sand Bath Hot Spring
©K.P.V.B
Tamatebako Hot Spring ©Ibusuki City Tourism
Hot Spring in Sakurajima
© Kagoshima Tourism and Convention Association
Kirishima Hot Spring
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The Shirasu Plateau in Kagoshima
The terrain of the Shirasu Plateau, which spreads across the southern part of Kyushu, is formed by volcanic features such as Kirishima and Aira Caldera. In other words, it is a plateau created by the accumulation of volcanic ejecta, such as volcanic ash and pumice. A prominent characteristic of the geology rich in volcanic ash is its excellent drainage. However, the excessive drainage makes it unsuitable for crops like rice that require a significant amount of water for cultivation.
Sweet Potato from the Shirasu Plateau
In the Shirasu Plateau, crops like sweet potatoes, soybeans, and rapeseed have been cultivated for a long time. Particularly, Kagoshima is the leading producer of sweet potatoes in the country by a wide margin. Sweet potatoes favor well-drained soil, and the low water-retention properties of the sandy Shirasu Plateau soil make it an ideal match.
the Shirasu Plateau
Sweet Potato
©Kagoshima Prefecture
green peas
©P.K.N
Sakurajima Daikon from Kagoshima
“Sakurajima Daikon” has a cultivation history of over 200 years and is a specialty product of the Sakurajima region and has been recognized in the Guinness Book as the world’s largest radish. Typically, it weighs around 6 kilograms, but the larger ones can reach up to about 30 kilograms, with a diameter of approximately 40 to 50 centimeters.
Sakurajima Daikon
©Kagoshima City
Sakurajima Daikon
©Kagoshima City
Kagoshima Historical Culture
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UENOHARA Site
The “Uenohara Site” is a complex archaeological site dating from the early Jomon period to the Middle Ages located in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It is designated as a national historic site. The site has been developed into the historical park known as the “Kagoshima Prefecture Uenohara Jomon no Mori.
©K.P.V.B
The arrival of Firearms
In 1543, Portuguese sailors with firearms (matchlock guns) arrived on Tanegashima Island, Japan. The local lord purchased two of these guns at a high cost, learned their operation and manufacturing techniques, and had local blacksmiths produce firearms known as “Tanegashima.” These guns later became widely used as weapons by feudal lords across Japan during the Warring States period.
©K.P.V.B
The arrival of Christianity
In 1549, a group led by the Spanish missionary Francis Xavier landed in Japan. The 15th lord of the Shimazu clan, Takahisa, granted permission for missionary work, marking the beginning of the first Christian evangelization activities in Japan. However, due to resistance from followers of Buddhism and other factors, these activities were later prohibited. The Xavier group relocated their base to Nagasaki and Yamaguchi Prefectures, where they continued their work.
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Oshima Tsumugi
With a history dating back to 1300, Amami Oshima’s traditional textile, designated as a national traditional craft in 1980, is known as “Oshima Tsumugi.” Oshima Tsumugi is crafted from 100% silk and involves specific techniques, including “sakizome” (pre-dyeing) of the threads and “hiraori” (plain weave), where the warp and weft threads intersect one by one. Certified products carry labels such as the Earth Mark inspection trademark and the registered product name “Honba Amami Oshima.”
©K.P.V.B
Satsuma Kiriko
Satsuma glass production, under the 27th lord Shimazu Narioki, began when Edo artisans crafted medicine bottles. His successor, Shimazu Narinobu, not only researched colored glass but also instructed the development of Satsuma Kiriko, a trade commodity. It involved layering colored glass over transparent glass and engraving patterns. Satsuma Kiriko, known for its distinctive gradation, was designated as a traditional craft of the prefecture in 1997.
©K.P.V.B
Armor (Yoroi Kabuto)
Kagoshima has a rich tradition of producing armor, helmets (yoroi kabuto), swords, and other weaponry. Local manufacturers have carried on this culture, faithfully recreating and manufacturing armor and helmets that were worn by samurai of the past. In 2023, the performance of placing a “helmet” on a player who hits a home run in the Major League Baseball, represented by the Anaheim Angels, where the MLB player Shohei Ohtani plays, received significant attention and resonance.
Kagoshima Foods
Kurobuta Tonkatu ©Kagoshima City
Kurobuta
Kagoshima’s Kurobuta, also known as black pork, is said to have been introduced about 400 years ago by the 18th lord of the Shimazu clan, Iehisa, who brought it from Ryukyu. It was also favored by figures like Saigo Takamori and Tokugawa Nariaki, the lord of the Mito domain. Through crossbreeding with the British Berkshire breed introduced during the Meiji period, it established itself as a brand of black pork known for being “tender, with a good bite, and rich in flavor.”
©K.P.V.B
Imo Shochu
In the 16th century, domestic production focused on distilling liquor from rice. During the Edo period, Shimazu Narinobu worked on developing a technique for producing industrial alcohol from sweet potatoes. Later, this technology formed the basis for the production of sweet potato shochu for consumption. In 1997, Japan saw the birth of the first-ever 100% sweet potato shochu that also used sweet potatoes in the koji (fermentation starter).
©Kagoshima City
Keihan
“Keihan” is a regional dish from the Amami Islands, where rice is topped with chicken, shiitake mushrooms, shredded omelet, and citrus peel, then drizzled with chicken broth. Its origin is attributed to the islanders using precious chicken meat to entertain officials from the Satsuma clan, resulting in a dish similar to a rice casserole at that time. In 2007, it was selected as one of the “Local Dishes of Farming, Mountain, and Fishing Villages” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kagoshima
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Yakushima
In 1993, Yakushima, known for the largest and oldest Jomon Sugi tree and its precious untouched natural beauty, became the first site in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. Shiratani Unsuikyo, an enchanting forest where ancient Yakusugi trees and mosses over 1,000 years old thrive, is a popular attraction. The island also boasts a diverse range of rare animal species and various highlights, including “Okawa Falls,” featured in Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
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Meiji Japan’s Industrial Revolution Heritage
In 2015, a total of 23 assets spanning 8 prefectures and 11 cities were registered as “Meiji Japan’s Industrial Revolution Heritage” and designated as World Cultural Heritage Sites. Among these assets is the “Former Shuseikan,” part of the Shuseikan Project which centralized industries such as steel production, shipbuilding, and glass manufacturing within the Shimazu family residence. Additionally, “Temple Mountain Charcoal Kilns (Sumigama)” and “Sekiyoshi’s Irrigation Canal (Sekiyoshi no Sosuikou)” are registered as assets from Kagoshima Prefecture.
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Amami Oshima & Tokunoshima
The World Natural Heritage Sites include Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, the northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote-Ishigaki. These areas are recognized for their exceptional biodiversity, pristine forests, and unique ecosystems, making them vital for conservation efforts. These islands are home to various endangered species, such as the Amami rabbit and the Iriomote cat, and they showcase the significance of preserving natural habitats and environments in the world.
