24 Hours in Kagoshima

Exploring beautiful Kagoshima is one of the unforgettable memory during my Kyushu trip. To see beautiful sunset of volcanic island and soak into an onsen is any travelers dream.

Kagoshima is one the beautiful places I always want to visit in the Kyushu region. Main tourist attraction is Sakurajima volcanic island. I decided to stay in Kagoshima one night and I believed it was more than enough to discover around the city. Kagoshima was my last destination of my summer travels in the Kyushu region.

I took a highway bus from Kumamoto bus center in the evening around 14:30 pm and arrived around 17:30pm. The bus ride was quite comfortable. I straightaway head to the hotel so I can check in and leave luggage at the hotel to explore the city. Because of the summer the sunset was a bit late in Japan. As I can get a perfect sunset view from Shiroyama park observatory I straightway cycled there. There are few public bicycle spots where we can rent in Kagoshima city. I can't remember how much it costs but it is less than 500 yen for 18 hours.

I arrived at Shiroyama park observatory around 18:30pm and sunset was around 19:03pm. The road to the park was quite doubtful and I realized it was a shortcut to get there.There were few people including locals and some tourists. The view is perfect to catch a good sunset photograph.

Next day morning was my last day at Kagoshima. Early in the morning I went to Kagoshima port to catch a ferry to Sakurijima. During the ferry ride I saw some dolphins close to the bay swimming around. The ferry ride is about 15 minutes and the ticket cost me around 200 yen. I didn't have a discount pass at that moment so it will cost 160 yen.

After getting off the ferry I went to a convenient store to grab some Onigiri and coffee for breakfast. Then I followed the Nagisa lava trail and had a foot bath at Nagisa onsen. It was quite hot and humid and not suitable for a foot bath but for the experience I just went for it.

Later I got Sakurajima island view loop bus tickets as it's much easier to explore the island. Got off from two spots on the island to get a perfect photograph. I didn't have much time to explore the island as I had to return to the hotel before 12:00 pm. I dropped off at Akamizu and Yunohira observatory area and took some photos.

---

Overall trip to Kagoshima was one of the memorable trips. The city trams remind me a lot of Germany and it's quite interesting to see around. I flew back to Tokyo in the evening and bought some omiyage for myself. I wish I can stay long in Kagoshima to explore rural area and see everyday life of people in Kagoshima.