Kagoshima City

Kagoshima is the biggest city in Kagoshima Prefecture, facing the Sakurajima Island that is still emitting a great deal of smoke and quiet Kinko-wan Bay. This city has been developed since the ancient times with its unique Satsuma culture and, in the times of Meiji Restoration (political revolution in the latter half of the 19th century), produced many patriots including Takamori Saigou and Toshimichi Ookubo. It is also known as a city that was loved by the painter, Ryuzaburo Umehara, authors, Fumiko Hayashi and Kuniko Mukouda, and others. From the Kagoshima Airport, take a Nangoku-kotsu limousine bus (about a 1-hour ride).

	Walk [History] Shiroyama Observatory From this park, you can have a panoramic view of the Sakurajima Island and Kinko-wan Bay. In the Seinan War that Takamori Saigou triggered off after coming back home after being defeated in the political strife with Toshimichi Ookubo, this place was the last warm corner with the governmental forces. The cave in which Takamori committed suicide with a sword is located at the foot of Mt. Shiroyama.
	Shopping [Specialty] Satsuma-age The Satsuma-age made in "Okatomiya, Head Shop" located in Ariake-cho on the west side of the Osumi Peninsula is very large. From its large size, it is called "Saigou's straw sandal". This Satsuma-age contains the minced meat of sea bream as a main ingredient, pike conger, lizard fish, white croaker, and other ingredients. The size is almost equal to human's face. This will be a big souvenir that Takamori Saigo, who was known as a big man must have been surprised at.0994-77-2288