Kagoshima, Japan

Friday, March 1, 2019         Kagoshima, Japan

9:00am we arrived at Kagoshima, located on the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. 

This morning, the most sunny warm day of our time in the orient so far, we went through Japanese immigration again. This port was extremely organized and we went through customs in about 10 minutes.

We purchased a day pass for the city transportation which included tram, bus, and ferry service. We took a shuttle bus into the town of Kagoshima and walked ten minutes to the ferry terminal. 

From here we boarded the ferry for a 15 minute ride to Sakurajima Island. We enjoyed the views of Mount Sakurajima while traveling across Kinko Bay. 

We visited the Geo Park. Because of the geothermal heat of its volcano, Kagoshima is a hot spring haven with the second largest number of hot springs in Japan. 

Larry and I had considered enjoying a natural heated soak called an Onsen. We quickly changed our minds because the Japanese tradition is to soak only in the NUDE. Woo-who!!! I guess we are on the modest side.

                  We did board a bus for a tour of the island capturing many views of Kagoshima. 

Larry and I were excited to be visiting our second active volcanic island. We were fortunate to experience the active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, a few years back seeing red hot lava fields at night.  This volcano, Mount Sakurajima, moderately emits smoke to the height of several thousand feet with minor eruptions often taking place multiple times a day and has had repeated eruptions throughout history with the biggest one occurring in 1914. 

One of the most striking sculptures  on the tour was  dedicated to the people who lived on the island during the last devastating  eruption.

After taking the ferry back to Kagoshima, we took a five minute taxi ride to the Sengan-en Garden, a fine specimen of Japanese landscaping. 

The city flourished during the 14^th century under the rule of Lord Shimadzu whose clan ruled for 29 generations or almost 700 years. Much of Japan’s first contact with the outside world was via Kagoshima, first with China and then with the Western world while Shimadzu clan ruled.

The main gate into the compound was built in 1895 as a new entrance into the gardens.

                The Tin Gate is the original gate to the gardens, featuring a roof of Kagoshima tin.

 Only the Lord and his first son were allowed to use this gate…all other family members had to use another entrance nearby.

                                 The gardens were gorgeous with cherry blossoms blooming.

We saw the ruins from the Shimadzu castle.

                                   

Peaceful waterfalls from a manmade dam of volcanic stones were a delight. The whole place was a haven of beauty.  

An original home of the Shimadzu family was built in 1868. The house is a unique example of a residence combining both traditional Japanese, Chinese, and Western elements in its design. I found it remarkably modern for that time period.

The Crane Lantern resembles a crane spreading its wings. Shimadau Nariakira invented this lantern, making it the first gas light in Japan in 1857. Unfortunately he died soon after and the project was abandoned….with the first gas lights coming to Yokohama some 15 years later.

                                         My King and I passed through the middle door when leaving.

We caught a local bus back to Dolphin Point where we did a little window shopping and shared a couple of Japanese brewskis with our Westerdam Atlanta friend, Keith before taking the last shuttle back to the ship at 4:45pm. 

What a day! A live volcano and the peaceful setting of a Japanese garden!