Kagoshima Japan 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Kagoshima City

  • 9:00 AM: Start the day at the Kagoshima Castle (¥600 admission), a historic castle built in the 16th century. Take a stroll around the castle grounds and enjoy the beautiful gardens.
  • 11:00 AM: Visit the Sengan-en Garden (¥1,500 admission), a stunning Edo-era garden with beautiful views of Sakurajima volcano.
  • 12:30 PM: Lunch at Nagisa Restaurant, a local eatery serving delicious Kagoshima-style cuisine. Try their specialty dish, “Mentaiko” (spicy pollock roe on rice).
  • 2:00 PM: Take a walk along the Kagoshima Bay waterfront and enjoy the sea views.
  • 6:00 PM: Dinner at Han no Daidokoro Bettei, a high-end restaurant serving traditional Japanese cuisine. Try their Kaiseki course for a unique dining experience.

Accommodation: Stay at Hotel Kagoshima (starts from ¥10,000 per night), a comfortable hotel located near the castle and within walking distance to many restaurants and shops.

Transportation:

  • By plane: Kagoshima Airport is the nearest airport. From the airport, take a bus or taxi to your accommodation.
  • By train: The JR Kyushu main line connects Kagoshima City with other major cities in Japan.

Things to Know:

  • Weather: Kagoshima has a subtropical climate. Be prepared for hot and humid summers and mild winters.
  • Language: Japanese is the primary language spoken in Kagoshima, but many locals speak some English.
  • Currency: Japanese yen (¥) is the local currency.

Tips:

  • Try to visit during the week if possible, as weekends can be busy with locals visiting the castle and gardens.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the city and gardens.
  • Don’t miss the beautiful sunset views from Sengan-en Garden!

Day 2: Sakurajima Island Adventure

  • 9:00 AM: Take a ferry to Sakurajima Island (¥1,500 round-trip ticket), which takes approximately 10 minutes. Be prepared for stunning views of the island and the surrounding sea.
  • 10:00 AM: Visit the Sakurajima Volcano Museum (free admission), where you can learn about the history and geology of the volcano.
  • 12:30 PM: Lunch at Sakurajima Island Restaurant, which serves a variety of local cuisine. Try their specialty dish, “Kurobuta” (black pork).
  • 2:00 PM: Visit the Sakurajima Lighthouse (free admission), which offers panoramic views of the island and the surrounding sea.
  • 4:00 PM: Return to Kagoshima City by ferry.

Accommodation: You can stay at a hotel on Sakurajima Island, such as Hotel Aira (starts from ¥8,000 per night).

Transportation:

  • By ferry: Take the JR Kyushu ferry from Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima Island.
  • By taxi: From your accommodation, take a taxi to the ferry terminal.

Things to Know:

  • Weather: Be prepared for wind and rough seas on Sakurajima Island.
  • Language: Japanese is the primary language spoken on Sakurajima Island, but many locals speak some English.
  • Currency: Japanese yen (¥) is the local currency.

Tips:

  • Don’t miss the stunning views of Sakurajima Island from the ferry and from the island itself!
  • Try to visit during the week if possible, as weekends can be busy with locals visiting the island.

Day 3: Ibusuki and Oganekoen

  • 9:00 AM: Take a bus or taxi to Ibusuki Beach (approximately ¥500), where you can relax on the beach and enjoy the sea views.
  • 11:00 AM: Visit the Oganekoen Garden (¥1,000 admission), a beautiful garden with stunning views of Sakurajima Island.
  • 12:30 PM: Lunch at Ibusuki Restaurant, which serves delicious seafood cuisine. Try their specialty dish, “Tako-yaki” (octopus dumplings).
  • 2:00 PM: Visit the Ibusuki Museum (free admission), where you can learn about the history and culture of Ibusuki.
  • 4:00 PM: Return to Kagoshima City.

Accommodation: You can stay at a hotel in Ibusuki, such as Hotel Sun Valley (starts from ¥6,000 per night).

Transportation:

  • By bus: Take the JR Kyushu bus from Kagoshima Port to Ibusuki Beach.
  • By taxi: From your accommodation, take a taxi to the beach.

Things to Know:

  • Weather: Be prepared for hot and humid weather in Ibusuki during the summer months.
  • Language: Japanese is the primary language spoken in Ibusuki, but many locals speak some English.
  • Currency: Japanese yen (¥) is the local currency.

Tips:

  • Don’t miss the stunning views of Sakurajima Island from Oganekoen Garden!
  • Try to visit during the week if possible, as weekends can be busy with locals visiting the beach and gardens.