1
Kirishima Shrine

The co-starring of national treasures and weeping cherry blossoms is not to be missed!

Kirishima Jingu Shrine is one of the essential spots for sightseeing in Kirishima. The main deity is Niniginomikoto, the hero of the myth of the descent of the Gods, and the shrine has a long history dating back to the 6th century.
The shrine attracts visitors every year from late March to early April with its 200 someiyoshino cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, and yae-zakura cherry trees in full bloom. The weeping cherry trees and the weeping cherry with the shrine in the background are especially beautiful, attracting many photographers who come to take pictures. The combination of the vermilion torii gate and the cherry blossoms and the pink petals coloring the approach to the shrine are a treat only during this season.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from late March to early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, etc.

Kirishima Jingu Shrine

• 2608-5 Taguchi, Kirishima, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• About 12 minutes by car from "Kirishima Jingu" station on the JR Nippo Main Line
• Take a bus from "Kirishima Jingu" station on the JR Nippo Line, and get off at "Kirishima Jingu" bus stop.
• Free to visit the precincts of the shrine (*Prayers, etc. and the awarding office are available from 8:00 to 17:00)
• No holidays
• Free of charge
• 0995-57-0001
• Yes (free of charge)

2
Kirishima Mythological Village Park (Roadside Station Kirishima)

A spectacular spot where you can look down on Kinko Bay and Sakurajima over the cherry blossoms

The park is located about 7 minutes by car from Kirishima Jingu Shrine. Located on a hill 670 meters above sea level, the park offers a panoramic view of Kinko Bay, Sakurajima, and even Mount Kaimondake in the distance on a clear day.
From late March to early April, about 500 Someiyoshino cherry trees in the "Sakura Garden" located in front of the road's station are in full bloom and at their best. The view of the rich nature of Kirishima seen over the cherry blossoms from the hill is spectacular. On Sundays during the cherry blossom season, a "Cherry Blossom Gathering" is held every year, featuring performances of Kirishima kumen taiko drums and local sweets.
The spacious park also offers a variety of attractions such as a road train, a sightseeing lift, a 390-meter-long super-slide, and putting golf. The "Road Station Kirishima" is also attached to the park, where visitors can enjoy shopping for Kirishima's specialties and taste local cuisine using Kirishima Kurobuta pork at the "Hot Kirishima Kan" Restaurant, making it a spot where visitors can enjoy themselves all day long.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from late March to early April.
Cherry blossom species: Someiyoshino, etc.

Kirishima Mythological Village Park (Roadside Station Kirishima)

• 2583-22 Taguchi, Kirishima, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 15 min. from JR Kirishima Jingu Station by car.
• Take a bus from JR Kirishima Jingu Station and get off at Kirishima Mythology Park Entrance.
• 9:00-17:00
• Open all year round (*Playground properties are closed for one week in June for periodic inspections)
• Lift (round-trip): 600 yen (4 years old and up)
  Super Slider: 600 yen (ages 4 and up; children under 6 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
  Road train (one-way): 200 yen (ages 4 and up)
  *For other details, please check the official website.
• 0995-57-1711
• Yes (free of charge)

3
Shiroyama Park

Enjoy the Ferris wheel and go-carts with the best view and cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The park is a 10-minute drive from downtown Kirishima. Located on a 192-meter-high hill, it is a scenic spot with the Kirishima mountain range to the north, Sakurajima and Kinko Bay to the south, and the Kokubu Plain below. In addition to approximately 550 cherry trees, about 30,000 azaleas are at their best in April every year, attracting many flower-viewing visitors. There is also a large lawn space, which is perfect for cherry blossom viewing with sheets spread out. There are also a variety of playground equipment available for visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms, including a Ferris wheel ride to view the cherry blossoms from above, a go-cart ride along a track lined with cherry trees, and a ride through a tunnel of cherry trees on the Nami Roller Slider.

The "Toki-Ku Swing," a swing-shaped object, is set up in the observation plaza and is a popular photo spot where visitors can take photogenic pictures with the Kokubu city area, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima in the background.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from late March to early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, yaezakura cherry trees, yamazakura cherry trees

Shiroyama Park

• 3819 Kamiokogawa, Kokubu, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 10 min. by car from JR Kokubu Stn.
• April-September: 9:30-18:00, October-March: 9:30-17:00
• Mondays (closed if Monday is a national holiday, closed the next day) *Open all year round from July 20 to August 31.
• 0995-46-1561（Shiroyama Park Management Office)
• Yes (free of charge)

4
Maruoka Park

A spectacular pink view of approximately 2,000 cherry trees

This vast park, covering a total area of 27 hectares, is located on a hill overlooking the Kirishima mountain range. There are approximately 2,000 cherry trees in and around the park, which attract many visitors from inside and outside of the prefecture during the blooming season. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular pink scenery from the Maruoka Bridge viewpoint, admire the weeping cherry trees in the Japanese garden that are over 100 years old, or simply take a leisurely stroll around the spacious grounds and enjoy the cherry blossoms. Every year, the garden is illuminated at night (from sunset to around 9:00 p.m.) to create a different atmosphere than during the daytime.
It is also one of the most famous azalea viewing spots in Kagoshima Prefecture, with approximately 50,000 colorful azaleas to be enjoyed along with the cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from late March to early April.
Someiyoshino cherry trees, weeping cherry trees, and azaleas

Maruoka Park

• 3590-9 Kamino-Kamino, Yokogawa-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 8 min. by car from JR Osumi Yokogawa Stn.
• April-September 9:00-18:00, October-March 9:00-17:00
  Property 9:00-17:00, Restaurant 10:00-18:00 (meals from 11:00)
• Property and Restaurant are open on Tuesdays (if a national holiday, closed the next day) and January 1.
• 0995-72-1362（Maruoka Sakuraen)
• Yes (free of charge)

5
Chugen Park

One of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, with a night cherry blossom tunnel and food stalls

Isa City, located in the northernmost part of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. It is about an hour's drive from the city center of Kirishima. It has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots" (selected by the Japan Sakura Society), known as the definitive cherry blossom viewing spot, and is famous for its 2 km-long row of cherry trees called "Senbonzakura".
The "Chugen Park Cherry Blossom Festival Week" is usually held from late March to early April, when the cherry blossoms are at their best. During this period, the pedestrian street in the park is lined with stalls and is full of festive atmosphere. The nighttime cherry blossoms illuminated by lanterns are also fantastic. On weekends in late March, a market, flea market, and musical events are held to enliven the cherry blossom viewing experience.

Cherry blossom viewing season: Usually from late March to early April.
Cherry blossom species: Someiyoshino, etc.

Cherry Blossom Festival Week in Chung Yuan Park
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Sunday, April 6, 2025
Details: https://www.city.isa.kagoshima.jp/blog/info-prompt/62453/

Chugen Park

• 2484-193 Oguchi Harada, Isa City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 58 min. by car from JR Kirishima Jingu Station
• 0995-29-4113（Isa City Hall Regional Development Division)
• Yes (free of charge)