What to do and see in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu-Okinawa: The Best Historic Sites

September 20, 2021 Deane Carmody

Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県, Kagoshima-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.
Restaurants in Kagoshima Prefecture

1. Kurokawa Grotto

Higashiichikicho Nagayoshi, Hioki 899-3221 Kagoshima Prefecture
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Kurokawa Grotto

2. Aira Sanryo

5300 Kamimyo Airacho, Kanoya 893-1101 Kagoshima Prefecture http://kagoshimayokamon.com/2017/09/17/airasanryou/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13 reviews

Aira Sanryo

3. Sengan-en

9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima 892-0871 Kagoshima Prefecture +81 99-247-1551 [email protected] http://www.senganen.jp/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,276 reviews

Sengan-en

Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and stately home that has been passed down in the Shimadzu family for over 350 years. The garden boasts spectacular views of active volcano Sakurajima, and the house provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of a powerful feudal lord. Sengan-en and the surrounding area was fundamentally important in the modernization of Japan. It was here that Western industrial technology was introduced to Japan, studied and used in the creation of modern factories. Shoko Shuseikan is a museum set in a 150 year old stone building originally used as a machine factory. Learn about the 800 year history and culture of the Shimadzu family, and the first steps towards the industrialization of Japan. In July, 2015 Sengan-en and Shoko Shuseikan were recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites related to Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution.

Reviewed By 1760022 - Tokyo Prefecture, Japan

Driving down from Kumamoto, I chose Sengan-en to view Sakurajima, rather than go to the observatory or the prefectural building and I am glad I did. The gardens were constructed in the 1650's by the Shimazu family, which ruled the area for a considerable time. They couldn't have picked a better spot with its stunning views of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay. The residence, which was rebuilt in the late 1800's and the rooms show life at it was in those days. There are two restaurants and a matcha cafe, gift shops with local crafts of wood and satsuma kiriko (cut-glass crystal), and snacks, sweets and delicacies. Entrance is 1300 yen for the garden, museum and house (recommended) or just 1000 yen for the garden and museum. My wife and I spent about 3 hours there. This is one place that shouldn't be missed.

4. Furumi Site

2583-2 Kirishimataguchi, Kirishima 899-4201 Kagoshima Prefecture
Excellent
46%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Furumi Site

5. Remains of Kushira Naval Airbase Underground Control Room

Kanoya 893-0000 Kagoshima Prefecture
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Remains of Kushira Naval Airbase Underground Control Room

6. Izumi City Public Samurai Residence Saishotei

5-11 Fumotocho, Izumi 899-0204 Kagoshima Prefecture +81 996-63-6142 http://www.izumi-navi.jp/spots/detail/4
Excellent
36%
Good
64%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Izumi City Public Samurai Residence Saishotei

7. Chiran Samurai Residence Garden

6198 Kori, Chinan-cho, Minamikyushu 897-0302 Kagoshima Prefecture +81 993-58-7878 http://www.city.minamikyushu.lg.jp/kankou/shisetsu/leisure/007.html
Excellent
27%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 369 reviews

Chiran Samurai Residence Garden

Reviewed By MarkKwok

I went here from Kagoshima. There is a bus at bay number East 16 at the bus station outside Kagoshima Chuo station that takes you to the Samurai Houses (Bukeyashiki-iriguchi) stop. Look for the bus with the destination "Chiran, Peace Museum (Tokko Kannon)". Bus signs are in Kanji (Chinese characters) only. The bus takes an hour and costs about 800 yen. Buses are one per hour so remember to check the bus schedule. The first thing to do is to buy a ticket. It's 500 yen for all the 7 gardens. There are a few shops along the main road that sell the ticket. The ticket cannot be purchased at the gardens themselves except the one at the far northern end of the district. I recommend visiting the chiran samurai website to download a map first, and the map tells you where to get tickets. The preserved samurai district consists of a 700 meter long street with no telephone poles or parked cars. I arrived late morning and it was rather quiet and peaceful. There is a tea house and a few restaurants along the way. An interesting aspect of the area is a creek that runs along the curb of the main road with koi swimming along. While some readers do not find this area interesting, I enjoyed it very much, probably because I have a strong interest in Japanese gardens.

8. Ruins of Onrinji Temple

5004-3 Hiyoshicho Yoshotoshi, Hioki 899-3203 Kagoshima Prefecture +81 99-805-7206 [email protected]
Excellent
20%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5 reviews

Ruins of Onrinji Temple

9. Ibusuki Bridge Muregawa Remains

Junicho, Ibusuki 891-0403 Kagoshima Prefecture http://www.ibusuki.or.jp/tourism/view/hashimure/
Excellent
24%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 17 reviews

Ibusuki Bridge Muregawa Remains

10. Izumi Fumoto Samurai Houses

Fumotocho, Izumi 899-0204 Kagoshima Prefecture +81 996-62-5505 http://www.izumi-navi.jp
Excellent
21%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 42 reviews

Izumi Fumoto Samurai Houses

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