Kagoshima | Castle Town Since the 14th Century
Kagoshima, the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a castle town dating back to the 14th century. Kagoshima and its suburbs are located in the northeastern part of the Satsuma-hanto Peninsula, and face Kagoshima Bay, which is also called Kinko Bay. In the city, you can still find many historic spots associated with the Meiji Restoration, a time when political reforms were undertaken to transform the country from feudalism into a modern unified nation. Shiro-yama, 107 meters above sea level, is a hill known as the last hard-fought battlefield of the Meiji Restoration. From the hilltop, you can see Kagoshima below, and also enjoy a view of Kagoshima Bay, with its quiet waves, in the distance, and the grandeur of Sakura-jima. At Sengan-en Garden, constructed by Shimazu Mitsuhisa as another house for Tsurumaru Castle, you can enjoy a distant view of Sakura-jima Island beyond Kagoshima Bay, and will also be treated to the beautiful sights of cherry blossoms in spring and a variety of flowers, such as azaleas and chrysanthemums, throughout the four seasons. Among the items preserved and exhibited at the nearby Shoko-shusei-kan Museum are materials and records of the factories which supported the modernization of Kagoshima by manufacturing cannons, boats and glassware, called Satsuma-kiriko, during the Edo Period in 17th century.