Local Guide
Five recommended sightseeing spots in Kagoshima City and Kirishima for rainy days

The Kagoshima City and Kirishima area is dotted with attractive indoor spots that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike, such as an indoor facility where you can experience harvesting seasonal fruits, a museum where you can learn about the nature and creatures of Mount Kirishima called the "Volcano Museum," a museum of Kagoshima's history, and cultural experience facilities. Therefore, there is no need to worry even if sudden bad weather strikes. This article introduces five sightseeing spots in Kagoshima City and the Kirishima area that we recommend for sightseeing on rainy days. Why not enjoy your trip to Kagoshima to the fullest even on rainy days?

Experience harvesting seasonal fruits in an all-weather greenhouse

A wide variety of strawberries, including
A wide variety of strawberries, including "Koi Minori," "Benihoppe," and "Kana Hime," are cultivated at high altitude.

One of the largest sightseeing farms in Japan is located about 20 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport. Located at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range, the garden grows a variety of fruits all year round, taking advantage of nature's blessings such as a climate of varying temperatures and natural underground water.
On its vast grounds of approximately 420,000 m2, there are orchards and greenhouses, Kagoshima Prefecture's first wine factory, Experience Facilities for Jam Making, Restaurants, and a Product Center.
Fruit harvesting experiences are available all year round, but strawberries (December to May) and grapes (July to November) are available even on rainy days. When visiting, it is recommended to check the official SNS in advance.

No worries about sightseeing with children on rainy days. Indoor air play equipment will make them have a great time!

Unlimited play for 500 yen per person for 30 minutes for children 0-3 years old and 1,000 yen per person for 30 minutes for children 4-10 years old. Adults pay 200 yen for admission.
Unlimited play for 500 yen per person for 30 minutes for children 0-3 years old and 1,000 yen per person for 30 minutes for children 4-10 years old. Adults pay 200 yen for admission.

Also on the grounds is "Adventure World," an all-weather air playground Property for children 0-10 years old (open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). children under 3 years old can play on the playground equipment accompanied by an adult, so there is no need to worry about bringing young children. A cup of coffee is included with the admission fee for adults, so you can take a break while keeping an eye on things.
After a day of fun, you can enjoy special sweets and snacks made from the fruits of the park on the first floor of the Kirishima Sakura Pavilion, or Kagoshima cuisine such as barbeque and Kurobuta shabu shabu at the restaurant on the second floor.

Local Guide Comment
This is a farm full of excitement that both adults and children can enjoy all day long, and from November to July, you can even try your hand at making kumquat jam by hand with a minimum of 10 people and with reservations made at least two weeks in advance. Wine tasting is also available at the product center.
Kirishima Sakura Fruitland
  • address (e.g. of house) 5631-2 Kokubu Shigehisa, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (*When using the navigation system, search for "Kokubu Shigehisa 6001, Kirishima City" or "Haruyama Ryokuchi Park") MAP
  • Direction 20 min. by car from Kagoshima Airport
  • Business hours 10:00 - 17:00 (varies depending on each Property in the park)
  • Closed Closed on Tuesdays and irregular holidays (check the official website)
  • Admission Fee Admission free (some properties in the park may charge a fee)
  • TEL 0995-73-3900
  • Parking Free of charge

Visitor center for Kirishima Kinko Bay National Park and Kirishima Geopark

Open space where you can learn about the magnificent nature and history of Mt. Kirishima
Open space where you can learn about the magnificent nature and history of Mt. Kirishima

The visitor center of "Kirishima Kinko Bay National Park" and "Kirishima Geopark" is located on the Ebino Plateau at an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters. Depending on the visitor's purpose, such as climbing, hiking, or walking, knowledgeable and professional Staff/staff members provide detailed information about the nature and history of Mt. Kirishima using dioramas, photos, and panels.
Kirishima, and visitors can also observe the geological strata deposited approximately 7,500 years ago in front of their eyes. Visitors can learn about the highlights of the Ebino Plateau area, volcanic history, topography, geology, vegetation, and more to better enjoy the scenery and mountain climbing of Mount Kirishima.

Observing the creatures and plants that live in the majestic and beautiful Mt. Kirishima

Visitors can learn about the wide variety of flora and fauna created by active volcanic activity and climate change since ancient times
Visitors can learn about the wide variety of flora and fauna created by active volcanic activity and climate change since ancient times

Besides the history of the volcano, you can also learn more about the plants, insects, wild birds, and animals found in Mt. Kirishima. Insect specimens actually collected by Staff/staff members are on display, and visitors can take a close look at them under a microscope. By deepening their knowledge of mountain life, visitors are sure to discover something new and fascinating about Mount Kirishima.
In addition, events are held at least five times a year to draw out children's free imagination and powers of observation. Staff/staff members' handmade exhibitions and introductions of rare wild birds and plants are just a few of the many tricks that will pique the curiosity of visitors at any time, making this a place that both adults and children can enjoy.

Local Guide Comment
Visitors can learn about the magnificent history and feel the power of Mt. Kirishima indoors. The explanations are easy to understand, with a full range of panels, specimens, and videos, allowing visitors to learn new ways to enjoy climbing the mountain. There is also a coloring corner, making it a great place for children to have a little fun.
Ebino Eco Museum Center
  • Address 1495-5 Suenaga, Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 60 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 0984-33-3002
  • Parking Charged (500 yen)

Experience faceted glass work while viewing Sakurajima and Kinko Bay.

Experience faceted glass piece crafting without reservations for 1,000 yen per person (30 minutes).
Experience faceted glass piece crafting without reservations for 1,000 yen per person (30 minutes).

A popular sightseeing spot in Kagoshima, the Shimazu family's villa "Meisho Senganen," has a Property where visitors can Experience Kagoshima culture, perfect for rainy day sightseeing. Experiences include Satsuma facet cutting, Satsuma porcelain painting, and Oshima tsumugi scent bags, among others. The most recommended experience is "faceted piece work," which can be done without a reservation. Visitors can make their own unique accessories and key holders by freely combining colorful pieces of Satsuma faceted glass. There is also a photo spot where visitors can take a photogenic picture of their finished work by simply placing it on a stand, making it a perfect way to create memories.

Shimadzu Satsuma faceting, a traditional craft of Kagoshima

Satsuma faceted glassware and accessories can be purchased at the Senganen brand store.
Satsuma faceted glassware and accessories can be purchased at the Senganen brand store.

Satsuma faceting was born in a kiln run by the Shimazu clan at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Although it once ceased to exist, it was revived by the Shimadzu family over a century ago and has been handed down to the present day. Senganen has a directly managed store that offers a wide variety of colorful Satsuma faceted glass products that showcase the craftsmen's outstanding cutting techniques. In addition to the well-known glassware, accessories such as pendants and earrings are also available, making it fun just to look at them. You may choose a souvenir for yourself or a gift for a loved one.

Local Guide Comment
Even in case of sudden bad weather, there are plenty of Experience activities that can be experienced without reservations. In particular, visitors can freely decorate bamboo dragonflies and other objects with bamboo craftsmanship, which can be easily enjoyed with children.
Senganen Garden, a famous scenic spot
  • Address 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 5 min. from JR Kagoshima Station by car
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00
  • Closed Open daily (closed only on the day of the Kagoshima Marathon)
  • Admission fee Garden, Shokoshu-kan: Adults (high school students and older): 1,000 yen, Children (elementary and junior high school students): 500 yen, Infants: free
    Goten] Adults (high school students and older): 500 yen, children (elementary and junior high school students): 250 yen
  • TEL Adults (high school students and older): 500 yen, children (elementary school and junior high school students): 250 yen
  • Parking Fee (300 yen)

Historical Sightseeing Property where visitors can learn about the lives of Kagoshima's great figures who supported the Meiji Restoration.

Visitors can learn about the lives of Kagoshima's great figures who supported the Meiji Restoration.
Visitors can learn about the lives of Kagoshima's great figures who supported the Meiji Restoration.

This historical sightseeing Property is located about an 8-minute walk from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station. With panels, videos, and audio guidance, visitors can enjoy learning about Kagoshima's great figures such as Nariakira Shimazu, Takamori Saigo, Toshimichi Okubo, and Princess Atsuhime Tenzhyoin.
Visitors can learn about the Satsuma Clan's unique educational method, called "Gozu Education," and experience the childhood lives of these great men through interactive exhibits that use video and other materials. In the "Asonde Miyanse Corner," visitors can play backgammon games about the life of Takamori Saigo and other historical games, allowing even small children to learn about history while playing.

Drama performance at the "Restoration Experience Hall" where you can meet Takamori Saigo

Two types of programs,
Two types of programs, "The Road to Restoration" and "Satsuma Student, To the West" are shown a total of nine times a day (as of March 1, 2023) (ⓒ Ishin Furusato-kan).

After learning about the great people of Kagoshima on the first floor, it is recommended to watch a drama in the "Restoration Experience Hall" on the basement floor. In the "Road to Restoration," visitors can watch the history of Satsuma from the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Period, with realistic images of Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi, and other great figures, presented with the help of robots.
Satsuma Student to the West" is a drama that recreates how the Satsuma clan was one of the first to look overseas during the period of national isolation and sent foreign students to England. The content is packed with the history built by Kagoshima's great people, and you may deepen your knowledge by re-reading the materials in the museum after viewing the movie.

Local Guide Comment
There are many valuable exhibits, such as materials that can only be seen here and costumes used in the Taiga Drama. In particular, the section that recreates the living room of Princess Atsuhime Tenzhakuin in the Ooku (inner chambers) of Edo Castle is particularly beautiful, and the costume exhibit is a must-see.
Kagoshima City Restoration Furusato Museum
  • Address 23-1 Kajiya-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 8 min. walk from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
  • Closed No holidays
  • Admission Fee Adults 300 yen, elementary/junior high school students 150 yen *Free for preschool children
  • TEL 099-239-7700
  • Parking Free of charge

The only koji (malted rice) theme park in Kyushu

There is also a Koji Restaurant on the expansive premises, where you can enjoy dishes made with koji (malted rice).
There is also a Koji Restaurant on the expansive premises, where you can enjoy dishes made with koji (malted rice).

Located about a 3-minute drive from Kagoshima Airport, this is the only koji theme park in Kyushu, and is operated by a long-established koji (seed koji) shop that has been in business for over 100 years, whose founder is Genichiro Kawachi, the developer of the "Kawachi fungus" known as the father of modern shochu.
With a tour of the shochu factory focusing on koji (in operation from October to January) and a koji museum where you can learn about koji (advance reservations required), this is a place that shochu lovers should visit at least once. Visitors can also tour the Kirishima Kogen Beer factory, which was developed based on authentic Czech beer, and enjoy the exotic atmosphere in the cute building that replicates the streets of the Czech Republic.

A full lineup of koji products made by a long-established koji maker that are recommended as souvenirs

At the souvenir store, where a variety of attractive koji products are available, visitors can sample shochu and amazake (sweet sake).
At the souvenir store, where a variety of attractive koji products are available, visitors can sample shochu and amazake (sweet sake).

After the tour, be sure to stop by the souvenir store. The shop offers a variety of products for the health-conscious, including "Ichiyo's Love Diary," a sweet potato shochu made with black koji malt that is a long-selling product popular among women, fermented Kirishima-born sake full of lactic acid bacteria, and a koji drink rich in enzymes.
Amazake Curry" is recommended as a souvenir. It is a spicy, medium-spicy retort curry with a secret ingredient of non-alcoholic amazake and koji pork from Kagoshima Prefecture, which is raised on koji.

Local Guide Comment
The Czech townscape on the grounds is very cute, and there is also a corner introducing the Czech Republic and wooden toys for sale. There is also a "future post office" in the building where you can write letters to yourself three years in the future, and there are many other fun things to do that will make you want to stay for a long time.
Barrel Valley Prague & GEN
  • address (e.g. of house) 876-15 Fumoto 876-15 Mizobe-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 1 min. drive from Kagoshima Airport (pick-up service available at Kagoshima Airport)
  • Business hours 9:00-17:00 (11:00-15:00 L.O.14:00 at Koji Restaurant "Koji GEN")
  • Closed Year-end and New Year holidays (Wednesdays and New Year holidays for Koji Restaurant)
  • Admission Fee Free of charge
  • TEL 0995-58-2535
  • Parking Free of charge

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.