November 2016, part four - Kagoshima

Cover photo: Kagoshima station 

Previous blog:

Part three - Fukuoka

Kagoshima, also known as 'Naples of the Orient', is a picturesque town with a subtropical climate in southern Kyushu with a large active volcano - Sakura-jima. Kagoshima is one of the warmest places in Japan and during our stay the weather was beautiful and sunny with temperature around 25 degrees Celsius. That's pretty decent for mid-November, compared to weather in Slovakia which was around zero degrees at that time.

After arrival we were first of course attracted by the train station which was integrated into a huge shopping center - even with a ferris wheel (!) on the roof and a cinema. In front of the station stood a statue of seventeen students who had traveled to England and the United States to bring knowledge of Western technologies and help spark the Japanese industrial revolution.

Japanese flora and fauna

The city was nicely kept with a lot of flowers, trees, bushes and statues, with koi karps swimming alongside the sidewalk. Ideal weather too. On the other hand, since this is a popular tourist destination, these Japanese southern folks here are little more temperament than usual. For example, some locals approached us with leaflets or literally dragged us into a restaurant we had only just stopped to look at. It definitely felt more energetic - and slightly more insistent - than elsewhere on our trip!

Really beautifully kept promenade

Golden koi carp swims to grant me a wish

Japanese heron is posing

The landmark of the city is a huge stratovolcano, Sakura-jima. The highest peak of the volcano reaches a height of 1,117 meters and the last major eruption occurred in 1914. Another major eruption is expected within 25 years. During our stay Sakura-jima was quiet.

We had a view of the volcano directly from the hotel room

We once again slept in the traditional Japanese style - futons laid out on tatami mats

Terukuni shrine

During the hike to Shiroyama Park I felt like walking through the jungle with large trees and spiderwebs. The weather was very pleasant, the sun was shining and cats were walking on the pavement. There were five vending machines upstairs, a group of Japanese elderly yoga practitioners, and a beautiful view of the whole city and Sakura-jima.

When one vending machine is not enough (yes, that's Tommy Lee Jones :)

View of Sakura-jima and harbor (there is even a submarine visible on the right)

In Kagoshima, we visited a local aquarium, whose mascot is the largest fish species in the world - a whale shark. We also caught a dolphin show, where we were, without a doubt, the only Europeans in the audience :). Whale shark isn't dangerous to humans; it feeds on plankton and can grow up to 14 meters long and weigh over 12 tons. The dolphins put on quite the performance, leaping to impressive heights and showing off their skills.

Whale shark

Dolphin show

Dinner is served: Fish with soy sauce and beer

Video below is from the observation point in Shiroyama Park. 

Next blog:

Part five - Beppu.