[Kagoshima] Beautiful nature of Yakushima and Amami Oshima! Recommended tourist spots and rental car guide

Recommended sightseeing spots in Kagoshima

Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southern tip of Kyushu and has many historical spots. There are a number of small islands in the southwest of Kagoshima, and if you go a little farther, you can also enjoy the mysterious beauty of Yakushima and Amami Oshima.

Renting a car is essential to enjoying your trip to Kagoshima, so be sure to reserve one in advance.

In this article, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Kagoshima that you should visit and recommended rental cars that you can rent in the area.

• Table of Contents
• Amami Oshima
• Yakushima
• Ibusuki Onsen
• Sakurajima
• Kirishima Shrine

Amami Oshima

Amami Oshima is a beautiful island that is also called the Galapagos of the East. The spectacular view of the cobalt blue ocean will soothe your daily fatigue. You can get to Amami Oshima by plane or ferry.

The main means of transportation on the island is by car, so rent a car near Amami Airport or Naze Port. We also recommend renting a car and taking a leisurely drive around the island as it is very relaxing.

It may be a good idea to decide in advance where to rent a car depending on which spots you want to visit.

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Yakushima

Yakushima can be accessed by plane or boat. If you want to travel easily, we recommend a plane, but if you want to enjoy a leisurely trip while admiring the ocean, we recommend a boat.

Rental cars are essential when traveling within Yakushima, so be sure to reserve them in advance. If you go to Yakushima, you must visit Jomon Cedar, which is about 40 minutes from Yakushima Airport, and it only takes about 3 hours to go around the island by rental car.

There are rental car offices at both Yakushima Airport and Miyanoura Port. Rent a car in Yakushima and enjoy a leisurely trip while looking out at the sea.

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Ibusuki Onsen

Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a hot spring resort known as the "Hawaii of the East." One of the most famous is the ``Sand Bath'' where you can bathe in the sand warmed by the hot springs that gush along the coastline.

To take a bath, first change into a yukata and lie on your back on the sand, and a staff member called Sunakake-san will cover your entire body with sand. After about 10 minutes, your whole body will be drenched in sweat and you will experience an indescribable refreshing feeling.

In addition, Ibusuki Onsen is a popular spot with a vast open-air bath that overlooks the vast expanse of the East China Sea and where the hot water and nature become one. There are also many public baths, footbaths, and accommodation facilities where you can enjoy hot springs.

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Sakurajima

Sakurajima, which is said to be the symbol of Kagoshima, is a composite volcano that combines Kitadake and Minamidake, and is a rare active volcano in the world that is still emitting smoke and raining volcanic ash. It has a height of 1117 meters, a circumference of approximately 52 km, and an area of ​​approximately 80 square kilometers.

The strait was filled in by lava flowing from an eruption in 1914, and it became connected to the Osumi Peninsula. Even now, small eruptions are occurring every day.

The reason we live here despite the volcanic disasters is because of the blessings that the volcano brings. Current eruptions are also a part of daily life. The people of Sakurajima live with the volcano.

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Kirishima Shrine

The history of the shrine dates back to the 6th century, and in 1715 it was dedicated to Yoshitaka Shimazu, the lord of the Satsuma domain, celebrating its 300th anniversary.

It is known as one of the best power spots in southern Kyushu, with its 800-year-old sacred tree, the legend of the Seven Mysteries, and the pebbles, and is crowded with approximately 1.5 million visitors each year. It is also known as a famous spot for autumn leaves, cherry blossoms, and Kirishima azaleas, and the beautiful contrast with the glossy shrine building captivates visitors.

The ``Kyumen Taiko'', which is dedicated on New Year's Day, wears the masks of the nine gods that are treasures of Kirishima Shrine, and you can watch a powerful traditional local performing art that recreates ``The Descendance of the Tenson'' with drums and flutes. can.

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