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History / Culture / Tour Spots in Kagoshima Area

Area

  • Remains of the Shigakko Private School
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Kagoshima-shi Shiroyamacho
    These historic ruins were the site of the private military academy established by Saigo Takamori after resigning from his government positions in protest following the so-called Political Upheaval of 1873. The academy was comprised of an infantry school and an artillery school created for the sake of the young men who followed Saigo in leaving the government and returning home to Satsuma. Branch schools were later established across Kagoshima Prefecture in 1876. Many young men would be educated by these schools, which were originally intended to train soldiers in the event of a national crisis. However, they would end up serving as an outlet for the discontent of the region's former samurai, eventually triggering the Satsuma Rebellion. The area around the school saw intense fighting during this conflict, which would leave the school's stone walls marred by bullet holes to this day.
  • Site of Saigo Residence (Saigo Park)
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Kagoshima-shi Take 2-28
    This park was developed on the former site of the samurai residence that was once the home of Saigo Takamori. Saigo lived here for four years after returning to Kagoshima after losing the 1873 debate on whether to take military action in Korea until the start of the Satsuma Rebellion. Although the original residence burned down during the conflict, it was reconstructed in 1880. The original garden well used by Saigo has been preserved in the park and still produces water to this day. A statue of a seated Saigo Takamori and his friend Suge Sanehide, who was the house elder of the Shonai (Tsuruoka) Domain, has been erected on the site.
    Site of Saigo Residence (Saigo Park) image
  • Site of Nomanoseki Border Checkpoint
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Izumi-shi Shimosabacho 2577
    "This plaza located about a 10-minute drive from JR Izumi Station was the site of the border checkpoint that was entrance to the Satsuma Domain. The region so strictly controlled its borders during Edo period that it was called ""an isolated country within an isolated country."" Describing the excessive strictness, the late Edo period scholar Takayama Hikokuro wrote ""the people of Satsuma know nothing of the world beyond the Karikaya no Seki Checkpoint."" The site of the checkpoint is currently designated as an Izumi City monument. A stone monument was erected in order to convey the existence of the checkpoint to future generations. The old well nearby still looks as it did during the Edo period. The scenic plaza blooms with cherry blossoms in the spring, making it a popular photo opportunity."
    Site of Nomanoseki Border Checkpoint image
  • Saishotei
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Izumi-shi Fumotocho 5-11
    This samurai residence open to the public is the oldest building in the Izumi-Fumoto Samurai Residences, a national Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. The home still strongly retains the vestiges of when this area was a samurai community in the Edo period. It notably features an indoor archery range for practicing kyudo on rainy days as well as hidden rooms, secret passages, and other facilities intended for use if the home came under attack. Many people visit during the fall to see the bright red leaves on the outstretched branches of the large Japanese maple in the garden.
    Saishotei image
  • Takezoetei
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Izumi-shi Fumotocho 5-17
    "This samurai residence, a part of the Izumi-Fumoto Samurai Residences, is located at the intersection of Tatebaba Street and Kariyababa Street. Members of the Takezoe family served in a variety of important positions such as kumigashira and atsukai after relocating their residence from Komenotsu to Izumi-Fumoto in 1637. The home and its garden are more modest than the other samurai residences in Izumi-Fumoto because its close location to the border between Satsuma Province and Higo Province, but it dictated a stronger focus on strategic facilities. Takezoetei even served as a filming location for the Taiga Drama (the NHK's annual series of historical dramas) ""Atsuhime"" The home's convenient location a five-minute drive from JR Izumi Station and the fact that guides are always on duty make it an easy choice as a sightseeing destination."
    Takezoetei image
  • Seirin-jinja Shrine
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Nishinoomote Nishinoomote 7597
    "A shrine located near Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima Island. It enshrines Tanegashima Hisamoto, the 19th leader of the Tanegashima clan, which ruled the island for many centuries. He introduced new practices and industries to the island, including planting trees, making salt, developing new rice paddies, and forging metal, and in 1863, the wife of Tanegashima Hisamichi, the 23rd leader, built the shrine to honor Hisamoto's achievements as a person who contributed so much to the development of the island. In 1698, he introduced sweet potatoes to the island from the Ryukyu Islands (now Okinawa) to the south, and for that reason, the shrine is sometimes referred to as ""Karaimo Jinja"" (""Sweet Potato Shrine""). Every year on January 11th, the shrine holds the Omato Hajimeshiki, a festival that has been designated a Prefectural Intangible Folk Culture Property. Participants shoot arrows at a 1.75-meter target in the shrine's archery range in an event intended to ward off disaster for the year and keep the island safe and healthy."
    Seirin-jinja Shrine image
  • Ruins of Akaogi Castle
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Nishinoomote Nishinoomote 7545
    "The ruins of a castle once located on the grounds of the present-day Yojo Elementary School, just east of Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima Island. Akaogi Castle was a dwelling place of the Tanegashima clan, which formerly ruled the island, and in 1624, the 17th clan leader, Tadatoki relocated it here. It was used from that time until the abolition of the feudal system during the Meiji Period. The castle is also known as Ue-no-jo. Only parts of the stone walls and earthworks near the elementary school's gate remain. Right near the school gate is a 10-meter ficus superba tree, over 450 years old. This flourishing tree is said to have given Akaogi Castle its name, ""Akaogi"" sounds like the Japanese phrase ""Akou (ficus superba tree)."" A signboard has been set up, making this part of Nishinoomote a spot for learning about the lingering traces of the past."
    Ruins of Akaogi Castle image
  • Statue of Shigechiyo Izumi
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Isencho Asan
    Shigechiyo Izumi, who was born in Asan, Isen Town in 1865 and died in 1985 at the age of 120, is said to have been the last survivor of the Edo Period (1615-1868). In 1976, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the longest-lived human, and in honor of this achievement, a copper statue and a museum were built in the agricultural area on the southern part of Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, where Izumi's home was. The museum contains a large number of photographs and personal items that convey the story of Izumi's long life to present-day visitors.
    Statue of Shigechiyo Izumi image
  • Isen Town History and Folklore Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Isencho Isen 2945-3
    A folk museum that describes the geography, culture, and traditional lifestyles of Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is located near Prefectural Route 83 near the southern tip of the island inside the remodeled building of a former agricultural high school. The exhibits are divided into three sections: nature, traditional artifacts, and archeology. In addition to traditional items used in the 19th and early to mid-20th centuries and rock samples, visitors are intrigued by the earthenware vessels and buried human bones excavated at the ruins of the Tokunoshima Kamuiyaki Pottery Kiln. Other unique historical and cultural that visitors can peruse include exhibits include stones for grinding sugar cane and videos of island songs,
  • The Coral Stone Walls of Aden
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Kikaicho Aden
    Located about a 15-minute drive from the Kikaijima Airport, in an area where no pit vipers live, these numerous coral stone walls are especially well preserved and highly regarded as important cultural properties. The hamlet of Aden contains an especially large number, and it is part of an island walking route led by local residents who act as volunteer guides. The Aden route takes visitors to the place where ethnographer Ichiro Iwakura was born, and to the sites where a number of movies were filmed.
    The Coral Stone Walls of Aden image
  • Tomb of the Monk Shunkan
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Kikaicho Wan
    "The grave of the 12th-century monk Shunkan is located a five-minute drive from Kikai Airport. He was exiled to Kikaijima Island after taking part in the Shishigatani plot to overthrow Tairano Kiyomori, the de facto ruler of Japan at the time. This area is referred to by a name that means ""in the presence of the monk"" in the local dialect, and offerings of flowers and incense are still laid there. The bones of a man thought to be a high-ranking figure from off the island were found near the grave, and these bones bore the marks of a sword, so many people say that these may be the bones of Shunkan himself. The Shunkan Jogging Meet is held every year in March in honor of the ancient virtues of this monk."
  • Shimao Toshio Literary Monument
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Setouchicho Oshikaku
    This plaque is located in Bungakujin Memorial Park, about a ten-minute drive from Seso Port in Setouchi Town. Shimao Toshio, who was later known as a writer of literary fiction, was head of a suicide mission unit at the Nominoura Naval Base during World War II. It is said that meeting his wife and his extreme experiences here were the starting points of his literary career. In addition to novels such as The Sting of Death, which describes his intense love for his wife, he published many other works, including poems and essays. He won many famous literary prizes during his career.
    Shimao Toshio Literary Monument image
  • Yamatohama Traditional Storehouses
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yamatoson Yamato Hama 119
    Located about a two-minute walk from Yamato Village Hall, this is a group of high-floor warehouses in Yamatohama. Originally, it was built on the outskirts of the village as a warehouse to store cereals and to protect it from fire, these warehouses on Amami Oshima Island are said to have an unusual type of architecture. The architectural style that does not use a single nail is the oldest, and the thatched part of the buildings are used for storage. They use a method to prevent mice from entering them, and now five buildings remain. The buildings are registered as prefecture-designated tangible cultural properties.
    Yamatohama Traditional Storehouses image
  • Yui no Yakata
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Amagi Cho Amagi 439-1
    "This history and folklore museum is located in Amagi Town a five-minute drive from Tokunoshima Kodakara Airport. The word ""yui"" refers to the spirit of mutual help and encouragement that the people of the island have cherished since ancient times, and means ""community"" and ""exchange of labor""."" Based on the five basic principles of gathering, nurturing, playing, showing and learning, which the islanders learned in their daily lives, we can learn about life from the Jomon period (about 1,000 BC-300 BC) to the Heian period (794-1185), Showa period (1926-1989) and to the present day. There is also a area that describes the relationship between Takamori Saigo and Tokunoshima Island, and an actual sabani (traditional small wooden boat) unique to the island's culture is also on display."
    Yui no Yakata image
  • Naoko Road Monument
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Amagi Cho Yonama
    Located about a ten-minute drive from Tokunoshima Kodakara Airport, this monument was erected in 2000 to commemorate the training camp held by Naoko Takahashi, gold medalist of the Sydney Olympics Women's Marathon. A 31.2-kilometer training course that starts from the monument and runs around the north side of Tokunoshima Island is called Naoko Road, and makes use of the rugged terrain of Tokunoshima to train for strong physical and mental strength. Marathoner participants from all over the country come to practice, and you can even see them running on the course.
    Naoko Road Monument image
  • Statue of the 46th Yokozuna Asashio Taro
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Tokunoshimacho Inokawa
    This statue was erected in 1995 in commemoration of Asashio Taro, a Yokozuna (grand champion highest rank in sumo) from Tokunoshima, to praise the achievements of the hero of Amami. Taro Asashio, with his blessed physique and thick, dignified eyebrows, is known for his powerful pushing technique, and boasts a record of five Makuuchi championships and four distinguished service awards. On top of a small hill, the statue stands with an imposing figure against the backdrop of the lush greenery of Mt. Inokawa. As Tokunoshima is an area where sumo wrestling thrives, there are many rings that can be found. After retiring, Asashio Taro trained many powerful sumo wrestlers as head of the Takasago stable.
    Statue of the 46th Yokozuna Asashio Taro image
  • Yoron Castle Ruins
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yoroncho
    "Located about a 15-minute drive from Yoron Airport, this is the site of Yoron Castle, which is said to have been built by Oshan, third son of the king of Hokuzan in Ryukyu kingdam (Okinawa now). The castle was built between 1405 and 1416, and was unfinished due to the fall of the king of Hokuzan during the period, so only the stone wall remains. Inside the castle, there is Tokonushi Shrine, Kotohira Shrine, and a memorial to the Manchurian pioneers. The ""Yoron Jugoya Odori,"" held three times a year on the premises, is a prayer for rain to the dragon god, for bountiful harvests, peace on the island, and prosperity for the people and animals. It's registered as Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties."
  • Yoron Folk Village
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yoroncho
    This folklore museum is located about a 15-minute drive from Yoron Airport and the port. A kominka (old house) was relocated and restored, and tools used in the 1950s are on display and introduced. You can see the cone-shaped, thatched-roofed buildings, which are traditional Yoron houses, and the sugar carts used for squeezing sugarcane. In addition to plant dyeing using vegetation native to Yoron Island, there is also a class to make pure brown sugar by squeezing and boiling sugarcane using an old-fashioned compressor.
    Yoron Folk Village image
  • Grave of Yononushi
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Wadomaricho Uchijiro 808
    This Ryukyu-style grave is located a 20-minute drive from Okinoerabu Airport. The grave was designated a Historic Site by the prefecture in 1966. The grave is occupied by Masajiyo, who ruled Okinoerabu Island as its yononushi (chief) during the reign of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as his family. According to legend, the chief, his wife, and children all committed suicide after accidentally attacking a peace vessel sent by the Okinawan kingdom of Chuzan in the 15th century. The fantastic crypt, which still stands today, is surrounded by a stone wall and was built by carving it out of the area's coral.
  • Satsuma Bansei Shomeikan
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima
    This shochu museum is located a 40-minute drive from JR Ijuin Station. The museum adjoins the new factory of Bansei Shuzo, a shochu brewery which began fully fledged operations in 2006. Visitors can watch the production process involved in making traditional Satsuma shochu, and even taste the brewery's products. Using replicas and other methods, the museum explains in an easy-to-understand way the history of sweet potatoes (a chief ingredient for making shochu), the various varieties of sweet potatoes, and how sweet potatoes grow. The museum's shop carries practically every product made by Bansei Shuzo, as well as limited edition items not sold anywhere else.
Kagoshima
Kagoshima Kirishima Kitasatsuma Minamisatsuma Osumi Amami / Okinoerabu Island Tanegashima / Yakushima
Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour
Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Kagoshima Areas

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Over 100 active volcanoes across Kagoshima make it one of the Japan's most exciting prefectures. The prefectural capital, Kagoshima city, looks out to one of the prefecture’s most spectacular volcanoes, Sakurajima, an island of its own that can be visited and seen close up or admired from afar, with the promise of breathtaking sunsets complete with frequent puffs of smoke and ash. Down the Satsuma Peninsula, the most southerly part of mainland Japan, waterfalls, sand onsen, and fascinating history await, while Kagoshima's abundance of satsuma imo (sweet potato) provide a wholesome snack as well as one of Japan's favourite drinks - shochu.

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