Chiran Samurai Residences & Gardens

A shrine at the foot of Mount Kaimon in Ibusuki, one of the claimed chief shrines (ichinomiya) of former Satsuma Province.

A 924-metre volcano near Ibusuki whose near-perfect cone rises straight from the sea, earning it the nickname 'Satsuma Fuji'.

A seaside hot-spring area famous for its natural sand baths, where you are buried in geothermally heated sand on the beach.

The Edo-period seat of the Shimazu clan in central Kagoshima; its stone walls, moat and rebuilt Goromon gate remain, and the ruins are a National Historic Site.

A Shimazu garden and historic residence using Kinko Bay and Sakurajima as its scenic backdrop. Volcano visibility varies. Check local ash and weather information and the garden’s current visitor guidance.

Perched at the 4th station of Mount Kita-dake at an altitude of 373 meters, this is the highest point on Sakurajima accessible to general visitors. The observatory offers awe-inspiring close-up views of the rugged volcanic craters and smoking peak, while sweeping around to panoramic views of Kagoshima City across Kinko Bay.