Kagoshima prefecture, one of Japan 's 47 prefectures, lies at the very
southern tip of Japan and occupies an area of 9,187 square kilometers.
Consisting of two peninsulas, Satsuma and Osumi, and many remote islands,
the prefecture has 72 municipalities, 16 cities, 51 towns, and 5 villages.Kagoshima
, which is still often referred to by its old name, "Satsuma",
was once the property of the Shimadzu family; a feudal clan that helped
pioneer the introduction of Western technology. These efforts in part promoted
the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which dissolved the previous era of feudalism
and returned power to the Emperor.With its geographical advantage of being
located in the south, Kagoshima 's unique history and culture are the result
of contact with China , Korea and other countries in South-East Asia and
the rest of the world. The kind and friendly disposition of the citizens
of Kagoshima is based on the open and cheerful personality particular to
the southern region, and is an advantage in expanding Kagoshima 's relationships
both domestically and internationally.
The Kagoshima Prefectural land, spans 600 kilometers from north to
south, is blessed with a mild climate and the rich and diverse natural beauty of
unique islands such as Yakushima (a World Natural Heritage Site), volcanoes such
as Sakurajima, lush forests and an abundance of hot springs . It also has many
interesting tourism resources for history and culture, making Kagoshima one of
Japan 's most well-known tourist destinations.
Kagoshima Prefecture produces ample agricultural and fishery
products of excellent quality. The concentrated food industry, which utilizes
such products, now serves the role of major food supplier for the rest of Japan
. The integration of electronic-related industries and advanced technology has
been promoted in and around the Kokubu-Hayato region. Additionally, Kagoshima is
the only prefecture in Japan that has space exploration and rocket launching
facilities, the accumulated essence of modern science.
In March 2004, Kyushu Shinkansen Kagoshima began service between
Kagoshima-Chuo and Yatsushiro, reducing rail travel times between Kagoshima and
Fukuoka to 2 hours and 10 minutes and thus greatly improving land access to
Kagoshima . (With the completion of full service, travel time between Kagoshima
and Fukuoka will be about 1 hour and 20 minutes).
Kagoshima Prefecture is
full of great potential with its blessed and diverse natural environment,
geography, unique history, and culture, diverse industries, and technologies and
of course, its people.
One of the world's most famous active volcanoes, Mt. Sakurajima , stands
majestically across Kagoshima Bay from the city. As the symbol of the city, it
is a popular tourist destination.
Occasionally the volcano erupts, sending
plumes of ash and smoke two or three kilometers up into the sky, to the
amazement of visitors. Mt. Sakurajima has erupted many times in recorded
history, but it is renowned for the great eruption of 1914. It is estimated that
nearly three billion tons of lava poured down the volcano, burying a nearby
village and filling the 400 to 500 meter wide strait that then separated the
island of Sakurajima from the Osumi Peninsula . The lava fields, that can be
visited, have an appearance more befitting the moon than the earth.
Sakurajima is also known for the world's largest radishes and Japan 's
smallest mandarin oranges. Ferry service only takes 15 minutes to connect the 4
kilometers distance between Kagoshima City and Sakurajima.
Kagoshima is
likely the only city with so many inhabitants in the world, which lies so close
to an active volcano.
Situated in the very south of Satsuma Peninsula, Ibusuki's sub-tropical
climate guarantees year round sun and warmth. Famous as a hot spring resort, the
area is visited by many tourists every year, especially those wishing to try the
world's only natural sand steam bath. Nearby are the volcano. Mt. Kaimon, whose
striking cone-shaped silhouette has earned It the nickname of "The Fuji of
Satsuma", and Lake Ikeda. Kyushu's largest lake.
There are also many other
tourist attractions in the area including Flower Park Kagoshima, the largest of
its kind in Japan with about four hundred thousand flowers and trees including
2,500 different species, which bloom throughout the year.
Lake Ikeda is
famous for its giant eels, which grow to 1.5 meters long and 50 centimeters
round, and its legendary monster "Isshi", similar to Loch Ness"' Nessie."
