The 12 acres of calming traditional gardens built in 1658, 350 years ago. Discover peaceful ponds, bubbling streams, mysterious shrines, tea rooms, a bamboo grove, and a mountain hiking trail. The lord's house lived in and loved by generations. World Heritage site of the influential lord's modernisation project. Take a look at Kagoshima's sophisticated crystal cut glass craftsmanship. Enjoy a variety of local and international cuisine and shopping at the lively shopping arcade, Tenmonkan.
At your hotel
12 acres of calming traditional gardens built in 1658, 350 years ago. Discover peaceful ponds, bubbling streams, mysterious shrines, tea rooms, a bamboo grove, and a mountain hiking trail with a panoramic view of Kagoshima Bay and the volcano beyond. Visit the house lived in and loved by generations of the Shimadzu family, using flawless Yakushima cedar cut from trees over 1,000 years old, and features a fascinating mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Western influences. Also be amazed by the history of Japan's first feudal domain that strived for modernization and take a look at Kagoshima's sophisticated crystal cut glass craftsmanship.
Tenmonkan is Kagoshima's largest downtown and entertainment district, consisting of multiple shopping streets on a total of 42 streets.
One of the major features is the arch-shaped arcade, which is approximately 2km long and includes a single-roofed arcade, which serves as a countermeasure against ash fall on Sakurajima, as well as protection from rain and the strong summer sun. The nearest station, Tenmonkan-dori Tram Stop, is used by approximately 4,600 people a day, including those commuting to work, school, and tourists, making the area a lively area day and night. It is a combination of long-established stores and new stores, including restaurants serving Kagoshima's local cuisine and shochu, souvenir shops, fashion, and entertainment stores. Although its appearance has changed with the changing times, it remains a business that has continued for a long time and is a downtown area loved by many people, and is widely known as the most popular spot in southern Kyushu.
At your hotel
The southernmost tip of Kyushu island, Kagoshima is blessed with warm climate, abundant products, a unique nature of active volcano that coexists with residents. Delight in the contrast between the raw power of active volcano Sakurajima and the 12 acres of calming traditional gardens built in 1658, 350 years ago. Discover peaceful ponds, bubbling streams, mysterious shrines, tea rooms, a bamboo grove, and a mountain hiking trail with a panoramic view of Kagoshima Bay and the volcano beyond. Visit the house lived in and loved by generations of the Shimadzu family and enjoy the private view over the gardens, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima beyond. The house is built using flawless Yakushima cedar cut from trees over 1,000 years old, and features a fascinating mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Western influences, showing the truly international nature of the Shimadzu clan.
World Heritage Site: Japan was the only country in Asia able to replicate the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century. Concerned by the encroachment of Western powers into Asia, the influential lord Shimadzu Nariakira began a modernisation project, called the Shuseikan, next to Sengan-en. This was the first modern factory complex in Japan, and led to the wider development of industrialisation across the country. Sengan-en and the Shoko Shuseikan Museum were inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2015.
Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko Glassworks
Watch master craftsmen blow and cut Satsuma Kiriko crystal glass right before your eyes, then marvel at the pinnacle of Kagoshima’s traditional craftsmanship at the gallery shop next door. See each stage of the production of this unique traditional craft product, and be amazed at the skill and concentration of the craftsmen who make it.
Then, you will be able to enjoy a variety of local and international cuisine and shopping at the lively shopping arcade, Tenmonkan.
guide fee
transportation fee (you and the guide), lunch (you and the guide), cultural experiences.
We will use public transportation such as City view bus, City tram.
One day ticket for city view bus and city tram is 600 JPY.
Tours are all open to any kind of arrangement. please feel free to let me know your preferences.
We walk at a slow pace for about 1 hour or more, so comfortable shoes are preferable.
Right from the outset Hitomi was a joy to deal with. She was responsive to our communications and interested in our needs on the day. Hitomi put together a perfect itinerary for us and was really fun to be with all day, providing a fascinating local perspective. We loved the ferry ride to Mount Sakurajima, its footbaths and observatory as well as the Sengam-en Feudal Lord villa. However the real highlight was lunch in an amazing restaurant cooking our wagyu beef on the integrated table barbecue. What an experience! We’d highly recommend Hitomi to anyone. You won’t be disappointed!!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I was the one who had the most fun during the tour. You people were so kind and sweet and so fun to be around and talk to. As expected, the best attraction was Bakuro's Wagyu Beef Yakiniku! Please come back to Kagoshima in the near future to find the best antique Satsuma ware. I wish you all the best!
Hitomi was a wonderful guide! Unfortunately we didn’t have great weather but she certainly made the most of it and was very flexible to our schedule due to weather. She also took us to the best lunch we have had in Japan. Would absolutely recommend!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I am happy to hear that you enjoyed Kagoshima and Wagyu beef yakiniku. I also enjoyed guiding you around Senganen Cat shrine. By now you are definitely having a great time with your beloved cat and dog. with many thanks.
Due to circumstances the plan was changed but Hitomi was quick to adapt. As it was cloudy we could not see the top of Sakurajima but still learnt a lot at the visitor Center. The highlight though was the wagyu lunch as it pleased some tough critics. Hoping to come back again and hopefully see the full view of Sakurajima.
Thank you for your tour review. I really like the title "Hidden Sakurajima'' and the phrase "some tough critics." I thought there was only one tough critic, but there were actually some! you are such a great writer. It was a shame that the weather and the cherry blossoms weren't in bloom yet, but I'm glad you enjoyed the Wagyu Yakiniku. Continue your wonderful cruise ship journey! Please come back to Kagoshima again! Also, please give my best wishes to each and every member of your family. .
Two of us had a nice visit to Sakurajima with Hitomi. She was very pleasant, engaging and informative with a nice sense of humor. Definitely five star guide.
Thank you for your too good review! Your words are a great honor to me. You people respect each other and you have broad and deep perspectives and actions. I had a very memorable and touching day with you. Thank you again for everything!