Best of Kagoshima
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Port
Kagoshima, Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$350
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Welcome to Kagoshima, where you’ll take a captivating journey through rich history, scenic landscapes and vibrant culture.
Your journey starts from Chiran which is 1 hour away from pier.
Chiran, just nineteen miles south of Kagoshima, is sometimes called Little Kyoto for all the Samurai residences that have been preserved there. Several houses have been preserved along with several beautiful gardens, all approximately 250 years old. The gates to the residences, moss-covered stone walls, hedges and black tile roofs help recapture the flavor of the Edo Period. Several of the residences are still used by the samurais’ descendants. The visit to this historic location will be from the outside only.
Next you will tour the Chiran Peace Museum, not far from the Chiran Samurai Houses. This museum explores the background of Japan’s kamikaze pilots. They trained nearby before embarking on suicide missions against allied sea vessels. The museum includes photos and the final letters of the young pilots, many of whom were teenagers, and it makes a plea for World Peace.
Continue along and visit a local restaurant for a lunch that uses local ingredients.
Then transfer to Kagoshima Pier for a drive to the Kagoshima ferry terminal. From here, it’s a 15-minute ferry ride to Sakurajima Island. From an observation point, you will view Mt. Sakurajima — a moderately active volcano that rises magnificently above Kinko Bay. Mt. Sakurajima faces Kagoshima. It constantly emits smoke, sometimes to a height of several thousand feet. This symbol of Kagoshima is the site of repeated eruptions throughout history.
This extraordinary excursion promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will undoubtedly be the highlight of your Japanese getaway.
Please note:
The museum presents information about kamikaze missions from a Japanese perspective. It is important to note that in Japanese culture, kamikaze pilots were (and perhaps still are) considered heroes. While the portrayal of their story may be at odds with American sentiment, it is nonetheless an interesting visit and, in the end, hope for enduring peace is the overriding message. Some of the materials in the Kamikaze Museum are written in Japanese and not translated into English. Since guiding is not permitted inside of the Kamikaze Museum, the guide will give you the necessary information on the coach beforehand.
We suggest passengers carry local currency for purchases. The samurai houses in Chiran are not wheelchair accessible. This tour is not recommended for passengers with walking difficulties. Tour order may vary.
There is an estimated 1 hour walking involved in this tour and approximately 100 steps at the Sakurajima Observatory. The visit to Senganen Garden includes walking over uneven, bare and graveled grounds. Some parts of Senganen Garden are not wheelchair accessible.
The view of Sakurajima is subject to weather conditions. The ferry to/from Sakurajima Island is a public transportation and will be shared with independent travelers. Tour order may vary.