Many would-be visitors to Japan know about the islands of Okinawa, a chain south of Kyushu, but fewer know about those of Kagoshima Prefecture. At the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima city presides over an administrative area that sprawls down to the Amami Islands, much closer to Okinawa than mainland Japan. If you like the sound of Japan but have heard Kyoto or Tokyo are overcrowded, turn your attention to Kagoshima Prefecture. With hot springs, volcanoes, hidden waterfalls, and beaches on a string of small islands, Kagoshima Prefecture is the stuff of Japanese dreams.
Kagoshima Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of mainland Japan, so it tends to be warmer than Honshu, where Tokyo and Kyoto are located. Winters are mild and a good time to escape the snow (and slush) in northern cities, and the beaches and hot springs make winter visits even more tempting. Otherwise, spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are peak tourist seasons and ideal times to come, thanks to cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Kagoshima city is fairly compact and easy to get around—rent a Kagorin city bike or catch a sightseeing bus. To explore further into Kagoshima Prefecture, you can take trains to other towns and cities, or catch ferries to offshore islands including Sakurajima, Yakushima, Tanegashima, and much further afield. There are seven different ports in Kagoshima, so make sure you go to the right one for your final destination. You can also fly to many of the southern islands.
Sakurajima, the volcano you can see from Kagoshima city, is Japan’s most active volcano, so it’s important to be aware of the risks if you want to visit. Despite the volcano erupting multiple times daily, it’s inhabited and you can visit. The volcanic activity is constantly monitored for signs of major activity, and an area of 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) around the crater is off-limits. It’s a good idea to carry an umbrella and wear a mask to protect against ash.
