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A Deep Full Day of Active Volcano Sakurajima
Feel the wonder of nature by experiencing the real active volcano Sakurajima! An oblong massive trapezoid volcano rises above Kagoshima Bay. It erupts on average 200 times a year. You will be able to experience nature that you have never experienced before. There is Japan's longest 100 meter footbath that will warm your mind and body. Then visit 3 main observatories to experience the real volcano.
Meeting Point
At your hotel, Port, station
Sakurajima Ferry
Take a 15 minutes ferry ride to the active volcano Mt. Sakurajima.
Mt. Sakurajima Visitor center
Watch 15 minutes Movie about the real volcanic acitivies on English subtitle, some pannels to explain the past explosive eruptions, vegetations after eruptions and the real life with the active volcano.
Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park
One of the largest footbaths in Japan with a length of 100 meters. It uses natural hot springs with a source temperature of 42 degrees that gush out from 1,000 meters underground. When you soak in the reddish-brown footbath, your body will be warmed up and relaxed. Take a break while looking out at Kagoshima Bay spreading out in front of you or Sakurajima towering behind you.
Yunohira Observatory
The mountainside looming before your eyes is very impressive!
After climbing up the mountain path, you will come to the Yunohira Observatory, located at an altitude of 373m, the 4th station of Mount Kita-dake, the highest point on Sakurajima that the public can enter. From here, there are spectacular views in every direction. You can see the rugged mountainside of Mount Kita-dake right before your eyes, the Taisho lava fields spreading out below you, and across Kinko Bay to the west is the cityscape of Kagoshima City, the largest city in southern Kyushu. If the weather is good, you can also see Kagoshima's beautiful peaks, such as the Kirishima Mountains to the north and Mount Kaimon to the south.
Arimura Lava Observatory
This observation point is located on a small hill in the lava field that flowed out in the great explosion of 1946. It is located in the middle of the 1km-long lava promenade, and offers a view of the imposing, world-famous active volcano, Sakurajima, and Kinko Bay as if they were right in front of you. Sakurajima viewed from here has a different appearance than other points. With its steep triangular shape and the nearby crater of Minami-dake, which is currently active, on some days you can hear the rumbling sounds and explosions associated with eruptions, allowing you to experience a different side of Sakurajima.
Burried Shrine Gate, Kurokami
The roughly 3-meter (10-foot) torii gate of Kurokami Shrine was buried, with only its top beam still visible. Rather than excavate the gate, the village elder chose to leave it buried as a testament to the eruption's menace for future generations. Standing quietly next to the gate, as if nestling against it, is an old Japanese sea fig tree that miraculously survived the eruption.
Showa Lava Zone Observation Deck (Kurokami View Spot)
It's been about 70 years since the lava flowed. A desolate landscape unfolds.
An observation deck overlooking the "Showa Crater", which has been actively erupting since 2006. It is also called the Kurokami View Spot. You can occasionally see smoke and steam rising from here, and it's a place where you can really feel that the earth is alive. You may also hear explosions and rumblings that accompany eruptions, so take your time to look around. The surrounding area is also where lava flowed during the Showa eruption (1946), and a desolate landscape unfolds. This whole area is called "Hell River Plain" because steam rose from the ground immediately after the lava flowed. Nearby are the Bunmei Lava (1471) and Taisho Lava (1914) zones,
so it's recommended to see the real thing and compare the differences in vegetation (vegetation transition).
Lunch at a popular local restaurant
take a ferry to the city side
End of the tour
Ending Point
At your hotel, port, station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee
Transportation: Chartering a taxi or bus is recommended, average chartered taxi or bus fare; up to 3 for 30,000 JPY, up to 8 for 40,000 JPY, up to20 for 68.000 JPY.
Sakurajima ferry round trip fare: 500JPY per person, taxi 4,700 to 5,880 JPY depending on size.
lunch (you and guide)
Tour Important Information
We walk at a slow pace for about 1 hour or more, so comfortable shoes are preferable.
Important message from the supplier
Tours are all open to any kind of arrangement. please feel free to let me know your preferences.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kagoshima Tour Reviews
Simon F.
Highlights of Kagoshima, Sakurajima and Sengan-en Garden
“Simply Brilliant!”
Right from the outset Hitomi was a joy to deal with. She was responsive to our communications and interested in our needs on the day. Hitomi put together a perfect itinerary for us and was really fun to be with all day, providing a fascinating local perspective. We loved the ferry ride to Mount Sakurajima, its footbaths and observatory as well as the Sengam-en Feudal Lord villa. However the real highlight was lunch in an amazing restaurant cooking our wagyu beef on the integrated table barbecue. What an experience! We’d highly recommend Hitomi to anyone. You won’t be disappointed!!
Hitomi A.
(5 reviews)Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I was the one who had the most fun during the tour. You people were so kind and sweet and so fun to be around and talk to. As expected, the best attraction was Bakuro's Wagyu Beef Yakiniku! Please come back to Kagoshima in the near future to find the best antique Satsuma ware. I wish you all the best!
Lindsey M.
Highlights of Kagoshima, Sakurajima and Sengan-en Garden
“Wonderful day in kagoshima”
Hitomi was a wonderful guide! Unfortunately we didn’t have great weather but she certainly made the most of it and was very flexible to our schedule due to weather. She also took us to the best lunch we have had in Japan. Would absolutely recommend!
Hitomi A.
(5 reviews)Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I am happy to hear that you enjoyed Kagoshima and Wagyu beef yakiniku. I also enjoyed guiding you around Senganen Cat shrine. By now you are definitely having a great time with your beloved cat and dog. with many thanks.
June lynn H.
A Deep Full Day of Active Volcano Sakurajima
“Hidden Sakurajima”
Due to circumstances the plan was changed but Hitomi was quick to adapt. As it was cloudy we could not see the top of Sakurajima but still learnt a lot at the visitor Center. The highlight though was the wagyu lunch as it pleased some tough critics. Hoping to come back again and hopefully see the full view of Sakurajima.
Hitomi A.
(5 reviews)Thank you for your tour review. I really like the title "Hidden Sakurajima'' and the phrase "some tough critics." I thought there was only one tough critic, but there were actually some! you are such a great writer. It was a shame that the weather and the cherry blossoms weren't in bloom yet, but I'm glad you enjoyed the Wagyu Yakiniku. Continue your wonderful cruise ship journey! Please come back to Kagoshima again! Also, please give my best wishes to each and every member of your family. .
