Kagoshima recommends Kirishima, Ibusuki, and Sakurajima.
🎏 Day 1 and the morning of Day 2: Ibusuki (Pictures 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣)
🚂 Departing from Kagoshima Chuo Station, you can take the black and white Ibusuki no Tamatebako train (Picture 14), which runs three times a day, all reserved seats, and requires advance reservation. The train offers limited edition black and white puddings. On the train, the black side has views of the mountains, and the white side has views of the sea, which is quite unique.
It is recommended to stay near Ibusuki Station, where there are buses, electric bicycle rentals, and taxis.
Ibusuki recommends visiting Chiringashima, Lake Ikeda, and Nagasakibana Shrine.
☀️ Chiringashima is an uninhabited island that emerges in Kinko Bay, isolated from the world. A sand bridge about 800 meters long appears on the sea surface connecting the island to the mainland for a few short hours before low tide, which is interesting. It is safe to walk on it only from March to October during low tide, and it takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach Chiringashima. The island largely retains its original natural ecology.
🌄 The sunset at Nagasakibana is very beautiful, but the last bus to Nagasakibana leaves at around 3 PM (Picture 6️⃣), which is a bit early for sunset viewing. The nearest train station to Nagasakibana is Nishi-Oyama Station, 18 minutes from Ibusuki Station, but there is no transportation from Nishi-Oyama Station to Nagasakibana, and it takes about an hour on foot. One option is to take a taxi round trip, another is to rent an electric bicycle at Ibusuki Station.
🎏 Afternoon of Day 2 and morning of Day 3: Kirishima (Pictures 7️⃣8️⃣)
Kirishima is very beautiful, especially during the cherry blossom season, with cherry trees all along the way. The hot springs here are also famous. Kirishima Shrine is a must-visit for its beauty and atmosphere, and it is recommended to go there before 8 AM. (For more about Kirishima and Kirishima Shrine, please refer to my previous notes)
🎏 Afternoon of Day 3 and Day 4: Sakurajima (Pictures 9～13)
Sakurajima is Japan's most active volcano, only four kilometers away from Kagoshima, so it is recommended to stay near Kagoshima Chuo Station on the nights of Day 3 and Day 4. From the port of Kagoshima City, take the ferry to Sakurajima, which runs every 20 minutes and takes 20 minutes for the whole journey. ⚠️ No ticket is needed for the ferry to Sakurajima; just board the ferry, and pay upon arrival at Sakurajima Port, where change machines are available. The return trip is paid at Sakurajima Port before boarding.
Upon arriving at Sakurajima, get a Chinese version of the 'Sakurajima Area Map' (Picture 13) at the information center, and you can also buy a sightseeing bus ticket, a one-day pass for 500 yen, with hop-on hop-off privileges. The bus's highest point is 'Yunohira Observatory' (Pictures 11 and 12), and I highly recommend the 'Lava Coast Walking Trail' (Pictures 9️⃣🔟), which is less crowded and offers views of large black volcanic rocks by the sea🪨, very impressive. Not far from the trail, there is also a free foot bath to enjoy.
🎏 On the evening of Day 4, you can visit Kagoshima Chuo Station (end of the pictures), where there are plenty of restaurants and shopping.