Kagoshima sits right across the bay from Sakurajima, a volcano that still smokes most days. Some days there is fine ash in the air; bring sunglasses. Pick one of three routes.
Route 1: Chiran (about 5 hours)
- Chiran Samurai District, a quiet street of old samurai houses with small, very neat gardens you can look into.
- Chiran Peace Museum, about the young kamikaze pilots who flew from here in 1945. Their letters home are on the walls. Many people find it very moving; it is not a happy stop, but it is an important one.
- Shopping stop for local goods on the way back.
Chiran is about an hour from the port, so this route has two drives of that length.
Route 2: Sengan-en and Shiroyama (about 5 hours)
- Shiroyama Observatory, a hill with the whole city and Sakurajima in front of you.
- Satsuma Kiriko glassworks, where they make the local cut glass by hand.
- Sengan-en, the seaside garden and house of the Shimadzu lords, with the volcano as the background.
- Shopping near the main station if there is time.
Route 3: Sakurajima volcano (about 6 hours)
- Short ferry ride across the bay to Sakurajima.
- Sakurajima Visitor Center and the Nagisa lava trail with a free footbath fed by hot spring water.
- Arimura lava observatory, on the old lava fields closer to the crater.
- Kurokami buried shrine gate: only the top of the torii shows, the rest was buried by ash in the 1914 eruption.
- Roadside station for local food, then the ferry back.
What our guests said
“Communication was superb in every possible way! Met and exceeded expectations. All guides from your company were excellent. We especially enjoyed Ken's stories!” – group travel organiser from the USA, Chiran, March 2024. Their wish for next time: blue skies and the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
How our Japan shore excursions work
- Private tour for your group only, from about 5 people in a minivan up to 40 in a full coach.
- A licensed English-speaking local guide meets you at the cruise terminal.
- We plan the day around your ship's times and bring you back to the pier well before all-aboard.
- The times on this page are a guide. Send us your ship name and port date and we fit the day to it.
Included
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Private vehicle with driver, highway tolls and parking
- Entrance fees for the sights listed in the route you choose
Not included
- Lunch and drinks (your guide will point you to a good place)
- Tips for the guide and driver
Price
The price per person depends on how many people are in your group: a group of 30 pays much less each than a group of 6. Tell us your ship, date and group size and we will send a price.
See all our Japan shore excursions.
