Kagoshima

Travel Guide

Kiyomizugaoka Park which includes a garden
Nitta Shrine which includes shopping
Kiyomizugaoka Park which includes autumn leaves
Nitta Shrine which includes a temple or place of worship
Nitta Shrine featuring signage

Hike around an active volcano, find peace in elegant gardens and tour excellent museums in the capital of one of Japan’s most naturally beautiful regions. 

With its seaside setting, palm-shaded streets, balmy climate and mountain and volcano backdrops, Kagoshima is affectionately known as the Naples of Japan. Find museums that celebrate Kagoshima’s influence on Japanese art, history and literature. Sample mouthwatering local delicacies, visit an aquarium and enjoy scenic cruises on Kagoshima Bay.

In the Downtown area, Tenmonkan is a partly covered shopping street with fashion stores, souvenir shops and restaurants. Sample kuroushi beef, kurobuta black pork and locally brewed shochu at Kagomma Furusato Food Village. Learn about the Meiji era of Imperial Japan at the Museum of the Meiji Restoration. See exotic fish species and watch a dolphin show at Kagoshima Aquarium.

North of Downtown, several museums sit at the base of Mount Shiroyama. Delve into city folklore and history at the Reimeikan-Kagoshima History Museum, located inside the former Kagoshima Castle. Browse works by Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and contemporary Kagoshima artists at Kagoshima City Museum of Art. Modern-day Japanese authors are the focus of Kagoshima City Modern Literature Museum.

Follow paths through Shiroyama Park to Shiroyama Park Observation Deck, where wonderful views of the city and Kagoshima Bay await. Take a leisurely stroll around the landscaped lawns of Senganen pleasure garden. A 30-minute drive south of Downtown, Hirakawa Zoo houses a thousand animals and has fairground rides.

Ferries depart regularly from the city for the 3,665-foot-tall (1,117-meter) active volcano Sakurajima. Hike the Nagisa Lava Trail, which crosses lava fields created during an eruption in 1914. Observe this colossal geological landmark from lookouts such as Arimura Lava Observatory, Karasujima Observation Point and Yunohira Observation Point. The Magma Onsen hot springs and Sakurajima Nature Dinosaur Park are other attractions worth visiting around the volcano.

Reach Kagoshima by flying to Kagoshima Airport from major Japanese cities and catching a train to the city center. Use the city as a base for exploring Kagoshima prefecture. Ferries travel to Amami, Tanegashima, Yakushima and other islands.

Where to stay in Kagoshima

Sumiyoshicho

While Sumiyoshicho might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Kagoshima City Aquarium and Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal.

Sumiyoshicho
JR KYUSHU HOTEL Kagoshima
JR KYUSHU HOTEL Kagoshima
3.5 out of 5
1-1-2, Take, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
The price is ¥8,051 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥8,051
¥8,856 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"The hotel interior design is cosy, clean and chic. The only complain is that the toilet is smelly."

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

JR KYUSHU HOTEL Kagoshima
HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan
HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan
3 out of 5
Yamanokuchi-cho 2-7, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥4,109 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
¥4,109
¥4,520 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"My stays are always well located. We extended our stay and the larger room was much more pleasant."

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2025

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan
Remm Kagoshima
Remm Kagoshima
3 out of 5
1-32 Higashisengoku-cho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima Prefecture
The price is ¥7,740 per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
¥7,740
¥8,514 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (428 reviews)
"Staff very polite & smiling all the time"

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

Remm Kagoshima
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
FAV LUX KAGOSHIMA TENMONKAN
FAV LUX KAGOSHIMA TENMONKAN
4 out of 5
7-30 Yamanokuchicho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Popular attractions Mount Sakurajima and Tenmonkan Street are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (35 reviews)
"とても良い"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

FAV LUX KAGOSHIMA TENMONKAN
Vacation Rental Hotel Tenmonkan
Vacation Rental Hotel Tenmonkan
3 out of 5
9-21 Tenokuchicho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Mount Sakurajima and Tenmonkan Street ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"今回は家族5名(乳幼児2名含む)で利用致しました。 お部屋は広いし、とても綺麗で快適に過ごす事が出来ました。 そして駐車場がついている事が、最高です。 チェックアウトの日は、ドカ灰で車についた灰をスタッフの方が、流して下さるという心遣いがあり、とても感謝しています。 また、利用させて下さい😊"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Vacation Rental Hotel Tenmonkan
GRAND BASE Kagoshima Chuo
GRAND BASE Kagoshima Chuo
3.5 out of 5
2-chome-12-25 Nishida, Kagoshima, Kagoshima
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Kagoshima. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and slippers. Popular attractions Amu Plaza Kagoshima and Amuran Ferris Wheel ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (71 reviews)
"Lovely room but a bit small."

Reviewed on May 26, 2025

GRAND BASE Kagoshima Chuo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kagoshima

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
41
5 - Excellent 69%
4 - Good
16
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

LOVE KAGOSHIMA !!! My son said he liked it even more so than Tokyo

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The food is delicious. I recommend kurobuta and any of the ramen shops. The night life isn't too bad either.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I liked to walk to the shops at Dolphin Port. The Sakurajima Ferry was interesting and cheap. I would recommend taking a Toppy to Yakushima as well.

5/5 - Excellent

Wendy

Great, relaxed, safe, excellent shopping

5/5 - Excellent

KB

Best season to visit is Oct/Nov or March/April. It will be very hot and humid in summer.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Feels almost like California with the palm trees and the chill, beachy atmosphere, but is rural. Very beautiful. Loved the hot sand bath.

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