kagoshima volcano tour

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Kagoshima Tour to Sakurajima

This 6-hour Kagoshima shore excursion introduces to you the history of the volcanic Sakurajima island and its eruptions posing large changes on the terrain. Let your feet at ease with the hot spring in Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park, enjoy the aerial view of Sakurajima’s coastline from Arimura Lava Observatory and learn how horrific the 1914 eruption was at Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate.

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Tour Code: Duration: 6 hours Start/End: Kagoshima port/ Kagoshima port Highlights: Sakurajima Visitor Center, Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park & Footbath, Arimura Lava Observatory, Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Full Itinerary

Depart Kagoshima port with the guide and driver, take a 15-minute ferry ride to the volcanic island of Sakurajima – one of the most active volcanoes of Japan and the symbol of Kagoshima dominating the sea with its mountain often topped by smoke. It was transformed from an island to a peninsula during an eruption in 1914. On arrival at the island, visit the Sakurajima Visitor Center , a small museum exhibit models, pictures, videos and information boards about Sakurajima’s history and eruptions.

Head to the Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park and its 100-meter-long thermal tub used for footbaths. It’s a perfect way to relax your feet in the natural hot spring water discharged from 1,000 meters underground.

We then stop at the Arimura Lava Observatory that gives a view onto Sakurajima’s craters from a slight elevation of about 75 meters and the rugged lava field dotted with pine trees. The observation area has a number of lookout points connected by paved walking paths. There are also nice views of Kagoshima Bay from this observation point. Later move to Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate almost completely covered by volcanic ashes during the 1914 eruption, leaving only the very top still visible above ground. This will help you get an idea of how much ash was spewed out of the volcano back then.

Before taking the round trip ferry, drop by the Megumikan rest stop that’s very close to the ferry port. In this station, to your left is the gift shop filled with an impressive array of souvenirs and freshly grown products while the right side of the entrance opens into a fairly large food hall. You are recommended to give a try to the orange noodles, its taste is completely new and entirely strange. The sauce is smoky, delicious and paired with the sweetness of the noodles. This place will be a nice end to your Sakurajima visit and ready to return to the cruise port.

Mon Bourassa – 25/07/2019

I would like to know if it is possible to quote this tour for 5 people. Is it possible to have a tour in French language? thanks

Tiffany – 26/07/2019

Thanks for your comment on Kagoshima shore excursions. Please check your email for the detailed quotation.

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Sakurajima (����) is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and the symbol of Kagoshima . The volcano smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day. Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay, Sakurajima is the area's most prominent geographic feature, having an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers.

Before a powerful eruption in 1914, Sakurajima used to be an island in the bay, but the massive lava flow from that eruption created the volcano's current land connection to the Osumi Peninsula in the east. For the majority of travelers, however, the volcano is still most easily accessed by the ferries that run the 3.5 kilometers between Kagoshima Port and the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal.

Sakurajima has three main peaks: Kita-dake ("north peak", 1117 meters), Naka-dake ("middle peak" 1060 meters) and Minami-dake ("southern peak", 1040 meters). The Minami-dake peak is currently the most active, with many eruptions taking place from the Showa Crater on the peak's eastern slope. It is prohibited to approach within two kilometers of the volcano's craters, but there are many observation points around Sakurajima where eruptions can be observed from about three kilometers away.

Travelers visiting Sakurajima can find many attractions just around the ferry terminal , including an onsen , foot baths, short hiking trails and an information center. Those who would like to further explore the volcano should travel by rental car , which can be taken across the water from Kagoshima by the ferries. Sightseeing buses, regular buses and rental bicycles are other possible methods of travel.

Around the ferry terminal

Elsewhere around Sakurajima

Getting there and around

How to get to sakurajima.

Central Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected around the clock by frequent ferries . The one way ride takes 15 minute and costs 200 yen. The ferry terminal is a ten minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a five minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop, and is also served by the City View Buses.

Cars can be taken onto the Sakurajima ferry and cost 1400 yen one way for 3-4 meter long cars or 1950 yen one way for 4-5 meter long cars. Those trying to avoid the ferry will need to make a 90 minute detour to reach the southeastern end of the Sakurajima peninsula via land (slightly faster if using the expressway ).

How to get around Sakurajima

By far the easiest way to travel around Sakurajima is by rental car . Driving once around the coast of Sakurajima takes about an hour. Car rental outlets can be found in the city center and at Kagoshima Airport.

It is also possible to travel around Sakurajima by public transportation. There is a loop bus for tourists, the Sakurajima Island View Bus, that operates every 30 minutes from the ferry terminal to the Yunohira observation point and back. The fare depends on the distance traveled or is 500 yen for a 1-day pass.

Lastly, there are regular city buses that run roughly hourly from the ferry terminal along the northern coast and along the western coast of Sakurajima; however, they do not make the entire loop around the peninsula. To access the Kurokami area, a transfer of buses is required along the way, with connections only every 2-3 hours.

How to get to and around Kagoshima

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Sakurajima visitor center, sakurajima ferry, magma onsen, hotels around kagoshima.

Sakurajima Guide Kagoshima

• Published on : 24/12/2012
• by : Japan Experience
• Add to favorites

Sakurajima: read a guide to Sakurajima the active volcanic island located in Kagoshima Bay, Kyushu, southern Japan.

Sakurajima 桜島

by Stephanie Plewes

• Sakurajima Attractions

Observatories

• Sakurajima Festivals
• How to get around
• How to get there

• one of the world's most active volcanoes
• located in Kagoshima Bay, between Osumi and Satsuma Peninsula, 10 km east of Kagoshima City, Kyushu
• famous throughout Japan for its springtime half-marathons
• first recorded eruption in 708
• known for its fruit and daikon radish production
• population 7,000
• 600 meters above sea level
• means 'Cherry Blossom Island' in Japanese
• called an island, but no longer a real one

If you're going to Kagoshima...

Sakurajima is a nice place to spend a few hours if you are planning a trip to Kagoshima . This active volcano has a great history and some interesting places to explore.

The town of Sakurajima is also known for its daikon radish, which is the largest in the world, and its mandarin, the smallest in the world.

There is an omiyage (gift) shop where you can purchase an assortment of products made from these two famous crops. Sweet potatoes and biwa (loquat) are also specialties of Sakurajima.

The volcano

The first recorded eruption of Sakurajima was in 708 and the volcano has been in almost constant activity since then.

One of the most interesting facts about Sakurajima is that it was itself an island until 1914, when lava flows from a large eruption that year spread and hardened, connecting the island to Osumi Peninsula.

Since 1955, the volcano has erupted 100-200 times a year. In 1994, there were 126 eruptions and on May 23, 1995 an explosive eruption sent ash 8,200 feet above the summit crater. In 2013 another major eruption occurred sending ash up to 5,000 meters and coating nearby Kagoshima.

Ash falls up to 143 times per year, depositing an average of 100mm annually.

People can be seen walking around the town, or sometimes even in Kagoshima City, with umbrellas to protect their clothes and skin from falling ash.

The population of Sakurajima is aging and decreasing, with most adults engaged in either agriculture or fishing. There is no high school on the island and students must make the short ferry ride to Kagoshima. Various concrete shelters dot the island in case of the need to evacuate the island at short notice.

What to see on Sakurajima

Sakurajima Visitor Center

The Sakurajima Visitor Center is open from 9am-5pm daily, except Mondays. It offers simple exhibitions that provide information on the history of the volcanic eruptions, the evolution of its plant life, tourist information, and disaster prevention. It also has a high-vision theater, georama, and computers in which you can interactively discover information about the island.

You can get a nice sense of the history and feel of the island with a stroll along the footpaths that wind through the desolate lava plains of Sakurajima.

There are small shrines and several lava formations to explore.

Kurokami Buried Gate

The eruption of 1914 buried the gate of the Kurokami Shinto shrine in volcanic ash. You can explore the remains of the shrine and observe some of the damage that has been caused by volcanic eruptions in Sakurajima.

Lava Beach Esplanade

The Taisho Lava Field has an esplanade that extends 3km west from the ferry terminal, from the coastline to the Torishima Observatory. It has nice fishing spots, where you can catch girella and scorpion fish, and is a nice place for a stroll and shell collecting. There are also monuments of famous haiku poets spotted throughout.

Torishima Observatory

Torishima was located 500m off the coast, and when the eruption occurred in 1914 connecting Mr. Sakurajim to Osumi peninsula, the shrine was completed buried. The observatory and memorial stone have been erected 2km from the ferry in Taisho Lava Field.

Yunohira Observatory and Arimura Lava Observatory

The Yunohira Observatory is almost halfway up Mt. Sakurajima and at 373m above sea level, you can see the dramatic view of Minamidake (South Peak). Below you can see Kinko Bay and the busy streets of Kagoshima.

It is undoubtedly the best scenic point on the island. Arimura Lava Observatory also offers nice views of the island, although not quite as dramatic.

Tsukiyomi Shrine

Tsukiyomi Shrine is the main shrine on Sakurajima and is located a 2 minute walk away from the ferry port.

Tsukiyomi Shrine was founded in the 8th century, and the main deity enshrined here is Tsukiyomi, the God of the moon and sea. Also enshrined here is Konohanasakuya, a princess from the ancient myths who married Ninigi, the grandson and emissary of Amaterasu who descended from heaven to found the Yamato line. She is the deity of Mt. Fuji and other volcanoes and it is believed Sakurajima is named after her. From the shrine there are nice views over the bay to Kagoshima.

Sakurajima Festivals and Events

Running Sakurajima People travel from all over to Japan to take part in these 5km, 10km, and half-marathon races. The event usually takes place in the first half of March.

Fire Island Festival (Hinoshima) Come and watch taiko drum performances, local arts and singing, and a huge fireworks display at a special stage at the Lava Ground in July.

Nearby Attractions

A must visit was the Furusato Kanko Hotel, which housed a beautiful outdoor onsen (natural spa), located on the ocean front, with a large, lovely shrine.

This onsen was unusual in that it was mixed gender and the hotel provided customers with a yukata (robe) that could be worn inside the water to cover the usual (single sex only) nakedness. It was a highly recommended place to visit for a relaxing slice of Japanese culture before it closed in September 2012.

Getting Around Sakurajima - Island View Bus

If you don't have a car, then getting around Sakurajima can be difficult, but fortunately The Island View Bus offers a viable option.

Starting from the ferry terminal the hop-on-hop-off bus does a loop around the area nearest the ferry port stopping at many sites of interest. After the ferry terminal it stops at Hinoshima Megumi kan, Rainbow Sakurajima, Visitor Center, Torishima Lookout, Akamizu Lookout, Yunohirakuchi, Yunohira Lookout, Oshu Elementray School, then back to the port. The bus stops for 5 minutes at the Toshima and Akamizu Lookouts, and for 15 minutes at the Yunohira Lookout.

The Island View Bus runs 8 times a day with the first at 9 am and the last at 4.35 pm. A single journey costs from 110-430 yen for adults or there is an all day ticket for 500 yen (250 yen for kids.)

How to get to Sakurajima

From the Kagoshima ferry terminal in Kagoshima City, Sakurajima is a 15 minute ferry ride across Kagoshima Bay. The ferry port is 10 minutes walk from JR Kagoshima Station. There are Shinkansen bullet trains to Kagoshima Chuo Station from Fukuoka .

The ferries to Sakurajima leave from the ferry terminal next to the Kagoshima City Aquarium .

Regular ferry services began in 1934 in response to requests from Sakurajima residents following the 1914 eruption.

The Sakurajima Ferry now runs 24 hours a day. In the middle of the night the service is only once an hour, but during peak daytime periods they run every 10 minutes. The 3.5 kilometer journey takes a little less than 15 minutes. The route is heavily traveled as it cuts down the time to travel between the two peninsulas of southern Kyushu either side of Kinko Bay.

Foot passengers 150 yen. Children 80 yen. Bicycles 100 yen Motorbikes/ scooters 200 yen Cars 820 yen (inc driver)

The 11.05 am departure is the Yorimichi Cruise which cruises around the south of Sakurajima before landing and so offers some different views of Sakurajima as well as of Kagoshima city.

500 yen for adults 250 yen for children 1,420 yen for cars

Tel: 099 293 2525

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Sakurajima, Kagoshima: One of the World’s Most Active Volcanos

City in the Shadow of the Volcano

Rising up from Kagoshima Bay, the peaks of Sakurajima form the dramatic backdrop to the city of Kagoshima, just 4 kilometers away. The island—technically a peninsula since a lava flow in a 1914 eruption connected it to the Ōsumi Peninsula—is 52 kilometers in circumference. Sakurajima is inhabited by around 4,500 people despite being the site of one of the world’s most active volcanos.

Although Sakurajima appears to be a single mountain, it is in fact a composite volcano that stretches from the southern peak of Minamidake to the highest peak of Kitadake in the north, whose summit reaches a height of 1,117 meters. The present shape of the island is the result of 17 major eruptions that have occurred since its initial formation 26,000 years ago.

Minor eruptions are an almost daily occurrence on Sakurajima, and at times low rumblings or explosive sounds can be heard. In 2017, volcanic smoke rose from Sakurajima’s craters over a thousand times and there were 406 eruptions, of which 81 were registered as “explosive eruptions” accompanied by tremors and the projection of volcanic rock.

This volcanic activity is just another part of everyday life for people in the surrounding area, including the 600,000 residents of Kagoshima City. Few cities of comparable size elsewhere in the world are located so close to an active volcano. 

Several spots throughout Kagoshima offer scenic views of Sakurajima. One of the most popular is the 107-meter-high hill named Shiroyama, located in the heart of the city. Shiroyama is famous as the site where Saigō Takamori met his demise in the culminating battle of the Satsuma Rebellion, which pitted the local forces he led against the army of the central Meiji government. The view from the top of the hill is captivating, with the city stretching out in all directions and Sakurajima standing majestically on the other side of the bay.

Experience the Beauty Aboard the Sakurajima Ferry

The convenient Sakurajima Ferry service , operating 24 hours a day, links Kagoshima to Sakurajima. During the peak daytime hours, ferries depart every 10 to 15 minutes. The passenger fee, just ¥160 and only ¥80 for children up to elementary-school age, is paid upon exiting the ferry, with no need to purchase a ticket in advance.

During the brief 15-minute ferry trip passengers can enjoy the view of Sakurajima and the surrounding bay. “On some days passengers are also lucky enough to see groups of dolphins swimming along in the bay,” points out Masuyama Kaori, who works for the Kagoshima City Ship Department that operates the Sakurajima Ferry. As a regular passenger who rides the ferry to her office in Sakurajima Port every day, she can view Sakurajima throughout the year and at different times of the day. Above all, she recommends riding the ferry around twilight, when the light from the setting sun tinges the volcano in a fantastic red glow.

Once a day the Yorimichi Cruise also runs from Kagoshima to Sakurajima. The 50-minute cruise, which costs ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children, takes a more meandering route than the normal ferry service, traveling far south in the bay before heading back up toward Sakurajima. The ship passes by the Kanze Lighthouse rising up from the bay and the uninhabited island Okogashima, as well as offering a view of the Taishō Lava Field that was formed by the 1914 eruption. Taking the cruise is a way to fully appreciate the stunning beauty of the bay and Sakurajima.

Upon arriving at the port in Sakurajima, visitors are advised to stop by the Sakurajima Visitor Center to pick up some information about the local sights. Along with various tourist brochures, the center has displays that offer clear explanations of the history and mechanisms of the mountain’s eruptions.

One of the attractions is a large-screen display that combines video images with realistic sound-effects to give viewers a sense of witnessing an actual eruption. With its various panel displays and models, as well as a mini-theater for informational films, the center offers visitors many fun ways to learn more about Sakurajima.

The Natural Bounty of Eruptions

From the Visitor Center, many people opt to take a short break at the nearby Sakurajima Yōgan Nagisa Park, a scenic spot that offers views of Sakurajima, the bay, and Kagoshima. A 100-meter-long foot bath in the park is filled with reddish-brown hot-spring water that gushes up from 1,000 meters beneath the ground. People who stop by can soak their feet while leisurely taking in the scenic views.

The highest viewing area on Sakurajima is the Yunohira Observatory at the fourth station of Kitadake. This is good place to take a break and get a closer view of the crater. The views of the nearby desolate mountain surface are sure to leave a lasting impression.

From the observation point, a panoramic 360-degree view that includes Kitadake, Kagoshima across the bay, and the Ōsumi Peninsula in the far distance. On clear days the view stretches out as far as the peak of Kaimondake on the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, known as the “Mount Fuji of Satsuma” for sharing the shape of its larger namesake. The view of the volcano is particularly breathtaking at dusk, with the sun setting behind the peninsula to the west of Sakurajima.

Sakurajima is said to have been inhabited since the prehistoric Jōmon period. Despite the risks from eruptions, inhabitants seem to have chosen the area for its temperate climate and fertile volcanic soil. The well-drained land also makes the area ideal for growing fruits and vegetables. Some of the outstanding local produce includes the Sakurajima daikon, which set a Guinness World Record as the heaviest daikon radish in the world, and the Sakurajima komikan , a small mandarin with a very sweet flavor.

(Originally written in Japanese by Satō Fumi; photographs by Kusano Seiichirō. Banner photo: A view of Sakurajima from the Shiroyama observatory.)

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It’s Safe to Visit This Active Volcano in Kagoshima: Sakurajima Volcano

With thousands of minor eruptions each year, Sakurajima easily ranks among the most active volcanoes in the world. It’s literally created its own island in the middle of Kagoshima Bay. What’s truly crazy, though, is that (just 4 km away from Sakurajima!) life carries on as normal in the thriving port city of Kagoshima.

If you walked its streets you might notice tremors or clouds of ash suddenly spurting into the sky. However, Kagoshima’s locals will hardly flinch. Neither will those who live directly on Sakurajima itself. (Yes, people actually do that). Why? Well, Sakurajima is also one of the best-studied volcanoes in the world. Locals know exactly what to look for and when to evacuate. And there would certainly be a lot of warning before doing so. For the most part, Sakurajima is entirely safe to visit. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get close to a heavy-weight, natural powerhouse.

Constant Eruptions

Sakurajima formed nearly 13,000 years ago and existed peaceably for most of its long life. That all changed in 962 when Sakurajima underwent its first recorded eruption. Over the years, it would erupt many more times, most notably in 1914.  During that time, approximately 10 billion tons of lava spewed out of the volcano. That’s an ungodly amount of lava. The eruption even formed a land bridge between Sakurajima and the mainland on its Eastern side. Since an activity spike in 1955, Sakurajima has been in a constant state of eruption. While these eruptions are generally low-key, scientists warn that the volcano may be due for another major eruption within the next 30 years.

How to Reach Sakurajima from Kagoshima

In spite of all that, Sakurajima is a popular destination and an excellent day trip, so much so that the Sakurajima Ferry offers 24-hour service . It will only run you 15 minutes and 500 yen to reach Sakurajima. Once there, you have two choices: either rent a bicycle for the day or hop on board the island’s network of buses. Bicycles can be rented near to the ferry terminal, and you’ll be free to explore at your leisure with them. However, bus passes can also be purchased by the ferry terminal for 500 yen and will bring you directly to Sakurajima’s major sights. 

Sakurajima: What To Do

Surprisingly, there’s a ton of things to do on Sakurajima. First things first, drop by the Visitor Center and Mini Museum. You can get a good sense of what you’d like to do there, and you can also experience an eruption simulation (kids love it). From there, head off to the Observatories: Yunohira and Arimura. Yunohira will get you as close to the volcano as is safely possible. It’s located just half-way up the mountain.

Meanwhile, Arimura will allow you to explore some of the cooled “lava fields”. Finally, make your way to the far side of the volcano to see the Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate. This torii gate was buried in the 1914 eruption and now only protrudes a meter from the ground. It’s a really interesting sight and highlights just how much lava must have poured off Sakurajima in 1914.

What to Do on Your Return

As you return to the island’s port, you’ll pass by some fun art projects and photo ops. However, Sakurajima’s remaining true gems are all located around the ferry terminal. Your feet are sure to be sore after trekking around all day. Thankfully, Nagisa Park has the perfect remedy! Head immediately to the Lava Nagisa Park Foot Bath and soothe your feet in the volcanic water there. It’s absolutely wonderful and 100% free. Additionally, if you’re game to go fully nude at Japanese hot springs, head to the Magma (Rainbow) Hot Spring, where you can dunk your entire body in healing volcanic waters.

And for the kid in all of us, Sakurajima also inexplicably has a dinosaur-themed playground. And we mean really, really dinosaur-themed. As in towering, full-scale dinosaurs. It’s wonderfully kitschy, and a great place to let your kids run off some steam. Finally, keep an eye out for the island’s special, tiny oranges. Because of the volcanic ash in the Sakurajima’s soil, they only grow to the size of eggs. However, they’re unbelievably sweet. They’re often incorporated into ice cream or sweets.

Returning to Kagoshima

As you head back to Kagoshima, take one last look back at Sakurajima. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a friendly, minor, farewell eruption.

Name: Sakurajima Ferry Address: 4-1 Honko Shinmachi Kagoshima, 892-0814, Japan URL: https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/areaguide/sakurajima/top/ Post by Japan Journeys.

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Discover Food, Culture and Adventure on Kyushu’s Sakurajima Volcano

Discover the unique landscape and culture of Sakurajima – Japan’s most active volcano! An icon of Kyushu’s Kagoshima City, Sakurajima is home to a small community who have learned to live with the wilder forces of nature.

Introducing Sakurajima, a stunning icon of Kagoshima City

Sakurajima dominates the view of the bay from Kagoshima City . This active volcano often has a plume of smoke above it and hundreds of minor eruptions take place each year. Sakurajima was formerly an island, but lava flows from a major eruption in 1914 connected it to the Osumi Peninsula . Despite this, the quickest and easiest way to access Sakurajima is still by ferry from Kagoshima Port. Fortunately, the ferry runs regularly, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

After arriving at Sakurajima ferry terminal, your first stop should be Sakurajima Visitor Center which has exhibits on the local ecosystem, the volcano and its history of eruptions.

Outside the center is a hot spring footbath where you can soak your toes while enjoying a fine view of the mountain and the sea.

Hop on an e-bike and venture close to the crater

Cycling with a fresh sea breeze on your face is one of the best ways to see Sakurajima. Cross bikes suitable for cycling long distances are available to rent from Sakurajima Visitor Center, and e-bikes can be rented from a local hotel. The e-bike's electric motor will give your pedal power a boost, so you won’t get too tired.

View Sakurajima’s volcano crater on an e-bike tour.

If you prefer a guided tour instead, e-bike tours are also an option. On the 3.5-hour tour, you will travel up the volcano to an observation point near the no-entry zone two kilometers from the crater. Please note the area is strictly off limits and only observable when accompanied by a licensed guide. Here you can learn how local people have adapted to life on an active volcano, and view the rugged, volcanic landscape for yourself while safety is ensured thanks to your guide. 

Adventure around the coast of Sakurajima on land and sea

Although the e-bike electric assist makes climbing a breeze, if you'd prefer to ascend on foot, why not hike six kilometers up the mountain to Yunohira Observatory ?  Located 373 meters above sea level, this is the highest point on Sakurajima that is open to the public and affords great views over the smoking crater and Kagoshima Bay. Buses are also available to explore the area if desired.

Another way to view Sakurajima is from the sea. A six-hour kayaking and trekking tour takes you on a spectacular kayak tour around the island to a spot only accessible from the sea. Here, you can prepare lunch together using local ingredients before trekking through canyons created by lava.

Explore the rich local cuisine of Sakurajima

The fertile volcanic soil of Sakurajima is a blessing to local farmers. Two of the most famous local products are Sakurajima daikon (the world’s heaviest radish) and Sakurajima komikan (a tiny variety of mandarin orange). You can buy these radishes, oranges and other products made with them at rest stops and souvenir stores on Sakurajima. You can find volcano-themed “magma ramen” noodles and “magma curry,” as well as meals that are made with local ingredients like amberjack sashimi, komikan-flavored noodles and of course the famous daikon radish.

Enjoy fireworks at the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Festival

The Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Festival is an annual summer festival held in August where 15,000 fireworks are launched into the night sky. In this dramatic setting at the foot of an active volcano, the dazzling fireworks that shoot into the air and cascade over Sakurajima will simply take your breath away.

About the author

Author: Michael Lambe Profile: Michael is a British writer and translator based in Kobe who has been happily exploring Japan’s language and culture for over 25 years.

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Sunny climate set to a Sakurajima backdrop

Top attractions in kagoshima.

Shiratani Unsuikyo

Nagashima Museum

Around kagoshima.

Yakushima island of Kagoshima Prefecture is located off the southern coast of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost island. The small, almost perfectly circular island, is home to ancient cedar forests..

Kirishima, the second biggest city in Kagoshima Prefecture, is a magnet for hikers due to its combination of mountainous trails and volcanic landscapes. The amazing sight afforded by the Kirishima-Kinkowan..

Kagoshima City

Kagoshima City is set against the backdrop of Sakurajima, an active volcano and the city's icon in Kagoshima Prefecture. The prefecture's capital city is likened to the Italian city of..

About Kagoshima

If you love history, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県, Kagoshima-ken ) is the place to go. Christianity was first introduced to Japan in Kagoshima by Francis Xavier, and Western technology entered Japan at Tanegashima in the form of muskets. But perhaps most notably, the powerful Satsuma Domain, which ushered in the Meiji Restoration, was located in Kagoshima; not surprisingly, the leader of the Satsuma Rebellion, the revered Saigo Takamori, was born there as well. Kagoshima also houses the somber Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots.

History aside, the southernmost prefecture of Japan (excluding Okinawa ) is famous for Yakushima Island , a World Heritage Site; the island is noted for its majestic Yakusugi trees and is an excellent hiking location. The great volcano of Sakurajima, one of the most active in the world, towers over the city.

Some of Japan’s best sake is brewed in Kagoshima from their Satsuma sweet potatoes. 

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• KayakKing,Cycling：Living with an active volcano: explore Sakurajima to feel the breath of the earth

Trip Overview

Kagoshima City, in the south of Kyushu, is the fourth largest city in Kyushu with a population of approximately 600,000 and Sakurajima is located here. Kagoshima City and Sakurajima face each other across the Kinko Bay. It is similar to Mt. Vesuvius in the Italian city of Naples. The distance between the city of Kagoshima and the Sakurajima crater is very close, about 10km in a straight line, and volcanic ash often falls onto the city during its frequent eruptions. However, the residents are proud of Sakurajima as a symbol of Kagoshima.

Sakurajima is still erupting and emitting fumes. Although the mountain itself cannot be climbed, there is a volcano monitoring system in place and people can live safely at the foot of Sakurajima.　This trip is based on the theme of Sakurajima and offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who live with this volcano, as well as a sense of awe to the land.

●Area: Sakurajima, Kagoshima Pref. ●Main Activity: Cycling around Sakurajima ●Difficulty: ３ ●2nights 3days ●Accommodation 　Day1: Rainbow Sakurajima 　Day2: Rainbow Sakurajima ●Guide: An English speaking guide ●PAX: Minimum 4 / Maximum 8 ●Price: JPY325,000-

・Cycling around Sakurajima ・Kayaking around Sakurajima on the sea

The journey begins at Kagoshima Airport. Kagoshima Airport is also situated on the Shirasu Plateau, which was covered with pumice and volcanic ash ejected from the surrounding volcanoes in prehistoric times. From the airport, a private car will take you to Kagoshima City.

First, take a bird's-eye view of the city and Sakurajima from the Shiroyama Observatory, where you can see its location. Sakurajima is a majestic island with a cloud of smoke rising from its peak. Afterwards, take the ferry from Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes, and you will be there in no time. The ferry operates 24 hours a day. After arriving at Sakurajima Port, a volcanologist Dr. Fukushima will give you a lecture on the history, features, and topography of Sakurajima at the Sakurajima Visitor Centre. Afterwards, you will check in at the adjacent inn. Yes, that's right! You will actually stay on Sakurajima! There are no more activities on this day.

On this day, you will cycle around Sakurajima. From the inn, go around Sakurajima in an anti-clockwise direction. There is a river on Sakurajima, but water does not normally flow. When it rains, mudslides flow, and you can see such rivers as you cycle along. Then dig for sand on the sandy beach of Arimura. You will get a surprise!

Sakurajima has repeatedly erupted in the past. Lava flowed each time, but the appearance was different depending on the time of the eruption. The vegetation was also different. With these sights in view, you will arrive at the “Kurokami Buried Torii”, where you can see the damage caused by Sakurajima's major eruption in 1914. After lunch, you will continue on to the northern side of the mountain.

In the Shirahama area, you can see farming in action. Shirahama is famous for the world's largest radish, the Sakurajima Daikon radish, and the world's smallest tangerine, the Sakurajima Little Tangerine. If the seasons are right, you can experience harvesting. Keep going and you will arrive at the inn at the finish line. The activity of the day is a 36.4km round-the-island cycling tour of Sakurajima, which takes 4 hours 30 minutes.

Explore Sakurajima from the sea. Today's main activity is kayaking. A private car will take you to Arimurazaki Port, the kayak departure point where you will start your trip. Sakurajima was originally a remote islet in Kinko Bay. It was connected to the Osumi Peninsula by land during the great eruption of 1914. Let's go and look around the point where they were connected by kayak. There is a place called the 'Secret Cove' here. You can't go there on foot. Please look forward to seeing what kind of place it is.

After advancing the kayak and taking lunch at the sandy beach of Arimura, where you also stopped on the previous day, you return to the starting point. Just before you return, there will be some amazing scenery. Please look forward to it. The journey ends with a private car from Arimurazaki Port to Sakurajima Port.

Contact ・Misolalink Co., Ltd. ・Address：124-7 Nabekura,Aira-shi, Kagoshima-ken 899-5411 Japan ・Tel：+81 995-73-6666 ・ https://misolalink.com/

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