 |
Endowed with great natural beauty and scenic assets such as Sakurajima, a spectacular active volcano soaring up in the blue waters of Kinko Bay, Kagoshima is a popular tourist destination. This volcanic city bubbles with hot springs, boasting over 200 fountainheads, the most among Japan’s prefectural capitals. Ubiquitous spas are the city’s prime tourist attraction.
Adding to the delight of visiting Kagoshima is the variety of local delicacies it offers, from Satsuma - age (a deep - fried minced fish) and Imo - jochu (a distilled spirit made from sweet potatoes) to tender and juicy Kurobuta (Berkshire pork) and an abundance of fresh seafood.
The city welcomes about 8 million visitors every year, and the partial opening of a new Shinkansen bullet train linking the city with Fukuoka, the largest city and economic hub of Kyushu, has improved access to it from other parts of Kyushu. In areas around the station, the terminus for the bullet train, a construction boom is under way and a host of commercial establishments, from shopping malls to amusement facilities, have sprung up to further enliven the city. Kagoshima is a city that has never shied away from the challenge of reinventing itself to enhance its appeal without losing its precious cultural and historical legacy. |
