World Travel GuidesKagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) Travel Guide


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Beach in Amami, Kagoshima
Beach in Amami, Kagoshima
Author: TANAKA Juuyoh (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)



Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) is the southernmost prefecture of mainland Japan. It is located on the southern part of Kyushu Island. Covering 9,132.42 sq km, Kagoshima Prefecture has a population of 1.7 million people. Its capital is also called Kagoshima. The prefecture includes a chain of islands that continues in a southwest direction from Kyushu, among them the Amami Islands.

Kagoshima Prefecture is bordered by Kumamoto Prefecture to the north and Miyazaki Prefecture to the east. It faces the Yellow Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Okinawa Prefecture is located to the south. Mainland Kagoshima Prefecture comprises Satsuma Peninsula and Osumi Prefecture, with Kagoshima Bay in between them.


Sakurajima, as seen from Kagoshima
Sakurajima, as seen from Kagoshima
Author: Kimon Berlin (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)

The geography of Kagoshima Prefecture is characterized by a mountainous terrain punctuated by dormant and active volcanoes. One of the active volcanoes is Sakurajima, which looms over Kagoshima Bay within sight of Kagoshima City. Whenever it rumbles, one should not be without an umbrella - as protection against particles and ash.

Kagoshima Prefecture was created out of Osumi Province and Satsuma Province during the Meiji Restoration of 1871. The prefecture is rural, with its economy based on agriculture. Among its agricultural exports include green tea, sweet potato, radish and Pongee rice. Kagoshima Prefecture is also renowned for the production of a type of Japanese earthenware pottery known as Satsuma ware.


Kirishima-jingu shrine in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture
Kirishima-jingu shrine in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture
Author: 663highland (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Visiting Kagoshima Prefecture

The most practical way to reach Kagoshima prefecture from Tokyo is to take a flight. A flight from Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima Airport takes about two hours. There are also flights from Osaka Itami Airport.

A train journey from Tokyo to Kagoshima involves changing trains in Osaka, Fukuoka and Shin-Yatsushiro. It takes over 8 hours and costs ¥29,000.







Cities of Kagoshima Prefecture

  1. Kagoshima - capital
  2. Aira
  3. Akune
  4. Amami
  5. Hioki
  6. Ichikikushikino
  7. Isa
  8. Izumi
  9. Kanoya
  10. Makurazaki
  11. Minamikyushu
  12. Minamisatsuma
  13. Nishinoomote
  14. Satsumasendai
  15. Shibushi
  16. Soo
  17. Tarumizu

Tourist Attractions of Kagoshima Prefecture

  1. Cape Sata
  2. Chiran Peace Museum
  3. Ibusuki
  4. Kanoya
  5. Kirishima
  6. Kuchinoerabu
  7. Mishima Islands
  8. Okinoerabujima
  9. Sakurajima
  10. Tanegashima
  11. Yakushima

Return to Japan Travel Guide






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