Kagoshima Japan
Country: Japan · Region: Japan · Currency: Japanese Yen
Kagoshima is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu island, dominated by the active volcano Sakurajima visible from the city. The historical port city is known for its connection to samurai hero Saigo Takamori and sites related to the Satsuma Rebellion.
Top sights
Sakurajima volcano, Tsurumaru Castle, Sengan-en Garden, Museum of the Meiji Restoration, Kagoshima City Aquarium, Shiroyama Park
Things to do
- Sakurajima
- Active volcano reachable by ferry in 15 minutes (¥250) featuring the Visitor Center, Sabo Center, and Yunohira Observatory with views of the peak and Kagoshima City.
- Museum of the Meiji Restoration
- Museum with free English audio-guide covering the Meiji restoration period and local history, with hourly projections and robot animations (¥300 adults, ¥150 children).
- Sengan-en Garden
- Former Shimazu clan residence featuring a cat shrine, Meiji-era industrial heritage buildings, and stately gardens with Sakurajima as borrowed scenery (¥1600 adults).
- Kagoshima City Aquarium
- Five-floor aquarium featuring 7 dolphins, 2 seals, and a whale shark (¥1500 adults, closes at 6pm).
Where to eat
- Hinoshima Megumikan Rest Stop
- Rest stop on Sakurajima serving local food, open before 2pm.
- Amu Plaza Kagoshima restaurants
- Multiple restaurants located on the 5th floor of Amu Plaza attached to Kagoshima-Chuo station.
Bars and nightlife
- Kagoshima-Chuo Station shochu bar
- Bar and shop on the Shinkansen platforms with more than 100 varieties of local imo-jochu (sweet potato shochu).
Forecast for Kagoshima
Loading the live forecast.
Weather in Kagoshima by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F | 41°F | 3.4 in | 9 |
| February | 55°F | 42°F | 5.7 in | 11 |
| March | 61°F | 48°F | 7.4 in | 12 |
| April | 69°F | 55°F | 8.6 in | 13 |
| May | 75°F | 62°F | 11.1 in | 14 |
| June | 79°F | 69°F | 21.8 in | 21 |
| July | 85°F | 76°F | 16.5 in | 21 |
| August | 88°F | 77°F | 9.0 in | 17 |
| September | 84°F | 73°F | 9.3 in | 15 |
| October | 76°F | 63°F | 4.9 in | 10 |
| November | 66°F | 54°F | 5.1 in | 9 |
| December | 56°F | 44°F | 3.5 in | 8 |
Getting around
Use streetcars (lines 1 and 2) or buses from the city center; purchase a RapiCa IC card for payment as Welcome Suica cards do not work in Kagoshima.
What to eat
Kagoshima is famous for imo-jochu (sweet potato shochu), available at nearly all restaurants; local specialties and regional dishes are listed in the Kagoshima prefecture section.
Tips
Buy a RapiCa IC card upon arrival at the station (¥500 card plus ¥500 load) as it is not compatible with most other IC cards used elsewhere in Japan.
Best for
Volcano exploration, historical sites, shochu tasting
More ports in Japan
Hakodate · Kobe · Nagasaki · Okinawa (Naha) · Osaka · Tokyo (Yokohama)