The easiest way to get around in Kagoshima is by car, but most major sights and attractions are accessible by a combination of trains and busses. If you decide to rent a car, it is advised to do so from the nearest airport in the vicinity. You can use our car rental widget in the FAQ menu below. 

Travelers can also opt to buy the following passes to get around:

• Welcome Cute Pass

  • Coverage:

    • All trams within Kagoshima City

    • Unlimited use of the City View Bus and the Sakurajima Island View Bus

    • City buses within Kagoshima City

    • Unlimited use of the Sakurajima Ferry

  • Duration: 1 or 2 days

  • Price: 1200 Yen or 1800 Yen

  • Where to buy: Kagoshima Station

• City View Bus 1-Day Pass

  • Coverage: most tourist attractions in Kagoshima City

  • Duration: 1 day

  • Price: 600 Yen

  • Where to buy: Kagoshima Station

• Machimeguri Bus 1-Day Pass

  • Coverage: most tourist attractions in Kagoshima City

  • Duration: 1 day

  • Price: 500 Yen

  • Where to buy: Kagoshima Station

Public transportation

To get from Fukuoka to Kagoshima by public transportation, travelers need to take a train. Detailed instructions are as follows:

• Bullet Train: Take the JR Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

• Regular Train: This option is not recommended due to the lengthy journey time and multiple transfers required.

To get to Sakurajima, a 35 minute ferry ride is required to get there. 

Valid rail passes:

• Japan Rail Pass

• JR All Kyushu Area Pass

• JR South Kyushu Pass

Nearest airport: 

The nearest and most convenient airport is Kagoshima Airport. 

• by car: approximately 45 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Car rentals:

We recommend staying here between one and two days.
 

The nearest and most convenient airport is Kagoshima Airport. 

• by car: approximately 45 minutes

• by public transport: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Hiking:

The hiking season in this area typically runs from Spring until Autumn.

Cherry blossoms:

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan is usually between late March and early April. Although the blooming period can vary slightly from year to year. 

There are several festivals here throughout the year. Please be advised that the following list is based upon previous entries of those festivals and that the dates might have changed slightly in the following year. It is also possible that the entire festival is cancelled in the case of heavy rainfall or a natural disaster. Please check with the official organisers' website for the most up-to-date information. 
​​​​​​
For the exact location of any of the festivals listed here, you can consult our map above by clicking on the icon in the upper most corner of the map to open the map legend. Festivals are hidden by default but can be made visible by clicking on the "Festivals" checkbox in the map legend.

• Terukuni Shrine June Light Festival

  • Date: July 15th and 16th

  • Time: 10:00 - ???
     

• Gion Festival

  • Date: July 20th and 21st

• Sakurajima Fire Island Festival

  • Date: July 27th

  • Time: 17:30 - 21:00 (Fireworks: 20:05 - 20:35)
     

• Rokugatsu Dobon Odori Dance Festival

  • Date: July 28th

  • Time: 17:00 - 20:35
     

• Kagoshima Kinkowan Summer Night Fireworks Festival

  • Date: August 24th

  • Time: 19:30 - 20:40
     

• City Bus Yuyu Festival

  • Date: October 19th

  • Time: 10:00 - 15:00
     

• Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima Winter Illuminations

  • Date: October 27th until February 29th

  • Time: 17:30 - 23:00

We recommend the following options for staying connected in Japan:

• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data only)
• Sakura Mobile Travel Sim (data + voice)
• Sakura Mobile Unlimited Wifi / Pocket Wifi