Recommendations after spending over a month in Kagoshima （鹿児島）- in my opinion, Japan's most underrated prefecture
An active volcano at the centre of Kagoshima. You can take a ferry to the volcano to see the beach, hot springs, and museum, as well as the buried shrine gate after the 1914 eruption. You should also visit the volcano's highest point on the hop-on-ho...
Sakurajima
Traditional gardens and buildings with a museum located right outside
Sengan-en
Free entry to a historical location
Tsurumaru Castle Ruins
Impressive tori gates + festivals are often held here especially around the new year
Terukuni Shrine
Shopping centre with pretty illuminations during the Christmas period. The view from the Ferris wheel is brilliant as you can view both the city and Sakurajima.
Amu Plaza Kagoshima
Beautiful waterfalls just out of Kagoshima city in Aira
Ryumon Waterfall
Also known as Satsuma Fuji, at the very south of the peninsular close to Ibusuki. Mustn't miss the gorgeous golden shrine and volcano views! There is also an urban legend that a mythical creature, similar to the loch ness monster, called Isshi lives ...
Mt. Kaimon and Lake Ikeda
Outside of Kagoshima city, gorgeous shrine and many hot spring resorts
Kirishima
Historical sight which offers beautiful views day and night
Mt. Shiroyama
A museum covering k-mikaze pilots from WWII, solemn and insightful. Located at the departure point for thousands of pilots.
Chiran Peace Museum
My favourite museum in Kagoshima. I particularly recommend the historical animatronics show if you speak Japanese.
Museum of the Meiji Restoration
Shopping district. I particularly recommending trying Kagoshima speciality foods here such as shirokuma kakigori, kurobuta, karukan manju and Kagoshima ramen.
Tenmonkan
Gorgeous and (free) observation point in Sakurajima
