Summary
This time we stayed at the FAV Hotel in Kagoshima Chuo and enjoyed the nature of Kagoshima with two girls! You can see Sakurajima in various forms, enjoy Kagoshima’s gourmet food, and have a girls’ party at a stylish hotel… It was two days of luxury and plenty of fun.
All of these spots are recommended for 100 points, so please refer to them when you travel to Kagoshima!
*Please note that information and prices listed are subject to change.
Itinerary (Day 1)
9:25am Kagoshima Airport（鹿児島空港）
About 2 hours from Haneda Airport. We start from Kagoshima Airport!
Kagoshima Airport is located in Kagoshima Prefecture. It also has a footbath spot where visitors can enjoy natural hot springs. By word of mouth, it is also used as a pick-up terminal for rental cars and plays an important role as the gateway to Kagoshima.
Nissan Rent-A-Car Kagoshima Airport Store（日産レンタカー 鹿児島空港店）
First, we rented a car right next to the airport.
Nissan Rent-A-Car Kagoshima Airport Store is a car rental store located in Mizobe-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is conveniently located near the airport.
10:40am Kirishima Art Forest（霧島アートの森）
The first destination was the Kirishima area! An outdoor art museum where you can enjoy artwork that blends in with the natural surroundings ✨
At the entrance was a work by the famous Yayoi Kusama.It was a lot of fun to see so many interesting art installations!The site is quite large, so you can enjoy it all day long!
Entrance
Large park✨
He looks like a dwarf!
Depending on the angle, this huge artwork looks differently as a man or a woman.
Art everywhere.
Yayoi Kusama’s work! So cute!
Photography spots seen on Instagram
Shooting in the frame!
A piece called “Sun Roots.”
A swing that swings sideways!
Ticket Price
The price was 1,050 yen for both the permanent outdoor exhibition and the special exhibition!
Ticket
Seisei-katsukatsu
The exhibition being held this time was Choi Jung Hwa’s Seisei-katsukatsu! (October 14-December 11, 2022) The exhibitions seemed to change regularly.
They used everyday objects to create works of art.
It was interesting to see the air in them like balloons and the way they moved, as if the works were alive!
Works that seem to be alive.
Works made from household items
Kirishima Art Forest is an open-air art museum located in the town of Yusui-cho, Aira-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture. There are many artworks that blend in with the natural surroundings, and works by famous domestic and international artists, including Yayoi Kusama, are also on display. Word of mouth has it that there is a lot of interesting art that is Instagram-worthy, and that visitors can take great pictures with the artwork.
1:45pm Tarumizu Senbon Icho Garden（垂水千本イチョウ園）
Next, we drive back to see the ginkgo! This spot is colored golden with more than 1,200 ginkgo trees.
We had lunch on a bench at the top of the hill and had a fall foliage picnic. It was beautiful with yellow all around!
It was a little scattered, but just in time to see it.
View from the hill
Ginkgo biloba
Lunch time sitting on a bench
Tarumizu Senbon Icho Garden is a famous ginkgo garden in Tarumizu-shi, Kagoshima Prefecture. When the ginkgo season comes, the whole area turns into a golden color. There are benches on the hill where visitors can enjoy a picnic with the autumn leaves.
3:15pm Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park & Footbath（桜島溶岩なぎさ公園＆足湯）
After enjoying the ginkgo, we came to Sakurajima. Located in front of the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal, this is a park where visitors can take a footbath while enjoying a view of Sakurajima. The footbath is said to be 100 meters long!
This is a recommended spot to spend time while viewing the magnificent Sakurajima!Another guess is that there are a lot of friendly cats in this vicinity to heal you ✨
Exterior
Great location
cat
Sakurajima eruption
Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park & Footbath is a park located about a 5-minute walk from Sakurajima Port. There is a 100-meter-long footbath where visitors can enjoy the view of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay. You can also be healed by the many friendly cats in the area. It is a great walking course and is available free of charge.
4:10pm Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal（桜島港フェリーターミナル）
From Sakurajima to Kagoshima City, take a ferry with your car ✨ After paying at the toll booth, the ride went smoothly!
The inside of the ferry was spacious, with room to admire the scenery and eat udon noodles.The ride took only about 15 minutes, but it was fun to relax and enjoy the scenery!
tollgate
Boarding the ferry.
Inside the ship (1st floor)
The second floor is also spacious.
There was also an udon shop, but its business hours were over.
Beautiful sunset
Arrival in a flash
Approximately 15 minutes to Kagoshima City
Sakurajima Port Ferry Terminal is a ferry terminal located at 2 Yokoyama-cho, Sakurajima, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Inside the terminal is spacious, with stores, a food and beverage corner, and a tourist information center, where you can relax and take in the scenery.
5:00pm FAV HOTEL KAGOSHIMA CHUO
We stayed at this hotel, located in the middle of Tenmonkan Street and Kagoshima Chuo Station.Free breakfast buffet included!
This time it was on the first floor, in the heralubony universal room, a room decorated with artwork and designed to be accessible to all.
We had a great time in the stylish red and pink art room!
Exterior
check-in
Easy check-in via touch panel!
Lobby
Reception
Modern lobby with a black base color
art
TV
Stylish plates exclusive to the Herald Bonnie Room.
It would be fun to bring in food and have a party using this!
Equipped with WiFi!
Information about the hotel can be found via the QR code!
washbasin
The washbasin was also universally designed and slightly lowered!
shower room
Showers and toilets
The shower and toilet are quickly accessible and can be used comfortably by wheelchair users!
toilet
Toiletries
living
bankroom
terrace
Exterior
bedroom
kitchen
FAV HOTEL KAGOSHIMA CHUO is an accommodation facility located between Temmonkan-dori and Chuo Station in Kagoshima City, and has stylish rooms on the first floor called “Herald Bonnie Universal Rooms” decorated with art works and designed to be accessible to all people.
7:30pm Kagomma Furusato Yataimura（かごっまふるさと屋台村）
An evening meal at a facility with a collection of food stalls where you can enjoy Kagoshima’s local cuisine and local sake.There are two locations in Kagoshima Chuo Station, and this time I went to the one in Bastika area!
There are 18 restaurants in each area that offer delicious gourmet food, and I got lost … Since it is indoors, it is nice to be able to easily enjoy a drink on the same floor!
Store Map
Exterior
Located in Chuo-machi, Kagoshima City, Kagomma Furusato Yataimura is a collection of 25 restaurants where you can enjoy Kagoshima’s local cuisine and sake. There are various genres such as izakaya (Japanese style pub), sushi, and local cuisine, and since it is indoors, you can easily enjoy a drink together. Please note that there is no parking lot.
Kurobuta Shabu Shabu SATSUMA Kagokuma Furusato Yataimura（黒豚しゃぶしゃぶ SATSUMA かごっまふるさと屋台村）
The first is a restaurant where you can taste Kagoshima Kurobuta pork in a cozy U-shaped restaurant.I had Kurobuta shabu shabu (half and half) 1,600 yen (+220 yen)! The moderately fatty, sweet Kurobuta pork was delicious …The a la carte dishes are also excellent and a must visit when you come to Kagoshima.
Menu
Menu 2
Exterior
Interior
Interior
Jidori chicken sashimi 680 yen
Seared Jidori Chicken Hatsu (heart) 680 yen
drink
Sakurajima small mandarin beer 660 yen Local craft sour (plum flavor) 550 yen
Shochu challenge!
Surprisingly easy to drink and my favorite.
Kurobuta Shabu Shabu SATSUMA Kagomma Furusato Yataimura is a restaurant located in Chuo-machi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. You can taste Kagoshima’s Kurobuta pork in this cozy restaurant. Kurobuta shabu shabu (half and half) is 1,600 yen (+220 yen), and the moderately fatty, sweet Kurobuta pork is very tasty and well-received by word of mouth. The a la carte dishes are also excellent, making this a must-visit restaurant when visiting Kagoshima.
Amami Shoten Kenmun Bar（奄美商店ケンムン酒場）
Neon izakaya where you can enjoy Amami Oshima cuisine and drinks.The second restaurant we went to was a bit different!
I was full, but I enjoyed the refreshing island cuisine.
Exterior
drink
Boiled peanuts 380 yen
Seared chicken sashimi with aosa (sea lettuce) salt – 550 yen
Drink Menu
Menu
Meal Menu
Located in Chuo-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Amami Shoten Kenmun Bar is a tavern where you can enjoy Amami Oshima cuisine and sake. Starting with kushikatsu (skewers) featuring Amami’s brand pork “Akarinton”, the restaurant also serves Amami’s specialty “Keihan” for lunch, as well as ramen and other dishes.
Itinerary (Day 2)
FAV HOTEL KAGOSHIMA CHUO
breakfast
Buffet breakfast
You can fill the box with whatever you like and relax in your room. There were also Kagoshima’s famous gourmet foods, which were very delicious!
10:15am Tenmonkan Dori（天文館通り）
Go to the shopping district, a 10-minute walk from the hotel! It looks like souvenir shops and Kagoshima sweets are available.
Located in Sennichimachi, Kagoshima City, “Temmonkan-dori” is Kagoshima’s downtown area with 12 streets. There are many shopping facilities such as stores where you can enjoy local gourmet foods and local cuisine, cafes offering sweets, and souvenir stores.
10:20am Satsuma Jokiya Kakashiya Yokocho（薩摩蒸氣屋 菓々子横丁）
Visit a sweets shop where you can buy Kagoshima’s famous sweets, Karukan (steamed sweet bun made from grated yam and rice flour) and Kastadon (Steamed sweets made with custard cream wrapped in sponge).It was my first time to try it and it was a soft and gentle sweet manju.It would make a great souvenir!I wanted to eat it right away so I bought it and tasted it in the eat-in space.
The chunky dough is addictive!
Interior
showcase
eat-in space
There was a nice eat-in space, so we had it here.
Located in Higashi Sengoku-cho, Kagoshima City, Satsuma Jokiya Kakashiya Yokocho is a 50 meter long side street that blends 70 year old wooden houses with new wood. In particular, it offers a wide selection of Japanese and Western confections, including Kagoshima’s famous sweets such as “karukan” and “kasutadon,” which are ideal as souvenirs or for eating. Freshly baked doughnuts are also available and can be eaten at the eat-in space.
11:00am Tenmonkan Mujaki（天文館むじゃき）
Go to the other Tenmonkan-dori. This is the original store of Kagoshima’s famous “Shirokuma” shaved ice!I love Hakuma ice cream, but I didn’t know it originated in Kagoshima.
There were many flavors of white bears to choose from, but I decided to go with the royal road.The regular size is large enough for two people to share!
White bear (regular) 750 yen
Cute white bear
Exterior
order
Shirokuma Art Cappuccino 540 yen It was a waste of time to drink it…
Menu
Interior
Tenmonkan Mujaki is a shaved ice store located in Sennichicho, Kagoshima City. It is especially famous for its “Shirokuma” shaved ice, a Kagoshima specialty, which comes in a variety of flavors. The strawberry and yogurt flavors are also popular, and are highly rated by word of mouth as a must-visit spot when in Kagoshima. Prices are reasonable, and the regular size is large enough for two people to share.
12:30pm Senganen（仙巌園）
We drove to the next spot. The villa of Shimazu Tadayoshi is one of the most famous gardens in Japan ✨ It is quite spacious and can be enjoyed for half a day.
The garden with a view of Sakurajima was truly beautiful! The admission fee is 1,500 yen! There was a lot to see and do, including a museum and a faceted glass factory.
Exterior
A view spot from which Sakurajima can be seen!
At the end of the trip, I will return home with the beautiful Sakurajima burned into my eyes.
Nice atmosphere with the autumn leaves still on the trees!
Senganen Garden, located in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a representative Japanese feudal garden and World Heritage Site built approximately 350 years ago. Within its vast grounds, there are many attractions, including a beautiful garden overlooking Sakurajima, a museum, and a faceted glass factory.
1:00pm Oka-tei（桜華亭）
Lunch at a ryotei restaurant where you can enjoy Satsuma cuisine with a view of Sakurajima from the large windows.The weather was beautiful, so it was the most beautiful …I was happy to have a luxurious lunch in a spacious restaurant!
Interior
Menu
Menu 2
Sea bream shabu gozen 2,200 yen
Chrysanthemum set meal 2,200 yen
Looks delicious.
Entrance
Exterior
Oka-tei is a ryotei restaurant located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, where you can enjoy the local cuisine of Satsuma. The large windows offer a beautiful view of Sakurajima, which is especially great when the weather is fine. You can enjoy a sumptuous lunch in the spacious restaurant, which has been highly praised for its delicious food by word of mouth.
2:00pm Jambo-ya（両棒餅屋）
Next, we came to try “janbo-mochi,” a Japanese confectionery that has been a favorite among samurai since the Edo period!
Three kinds of Jambo mochi (rice cakes) are very reasonably priced at 450 yen.A heavy rice cake with a strong soy-sauce flavor! It may be a bit similar to Mitarashi dango.
It came with tea and was very tasty ✨
Exterior
Interior
Jambo-ya, located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, specializes in Jambo rice cakes. At this store, you can enjoy Jambo mochi, a Japanese confectionery that has been loved by samurai since the Edo period. Jambo mochi has a strong soy sauce flavor and a firm texture. Tea is also served with the set, and it is reputed to be very tasty.
Starbucks Coffee Kagoshima Senganen Store（スターバックスコーヒー 鹿児島仙巌園店）
Before returning to the airport, I purchased some driving companions!The Starbucks here was created by renovating a tangible cultural property associated with the Shimazu family.The interior of the Starbucks was also very stylish, and it still retains the appearance of its former self.
I bought coffee and went back to the airport.
Starbucks Coffee Kagoshima Senganen Store is a coffee shop located in Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City. The interior, renovated from a tangible cultural asset related to the Shimazu family, is stylish and has an attractive atmosphere that retains the atmosphere of those days.
6:00pm Nissan Rent-A-Car Kagoshima Airport Store
Return the rental car and your trip is over✨