一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人's Reviews Page 27/32

When visiting Kagoshima, you have to try the adorable signature dessert, Shirokuma shaved ice. Fluffy, finely shaved white ice is drizzled with sweet condensed milk, then cleverly decorated with dried fruit and red beans to resemble a polar bear's face. It has a rich milky flavor and a light, refreshing sweetness.

If you don't want to wait in line, besides the popular original shop in downtown Tenmonkan, there's also a surprisingly good hidden version of Shirokuma at Sengan-en! Sit down at the garden's teahouse restaurant and leisurely enjoy this classic dessert while looking out over magnificent Kinko Bay and Sakurajima, which occasionally sends up plumes of white smoke. With each cool bite and stunning view, you can take in Kagoshima's unique nature and flavors at the same time. It offers a relaxing experience completely different from an ordinary dessert shop and is highly recommended.

When visiting Kagoshima, don't miss Sengan-en, the Shimadzu family's garden from the Satsuma Domain that uses borrowed scenery. You can get there directly from downtown by bus or streetcar, making it very convenient.

I recommend buying an experience package so you can enjoy the thrill of archery and the fun of making your own Satsuma kiriko glass charm. You can also feast on local specialties and jambo mochi in the garden. It's well worth setting aside an entire afternoon to explore at a leisurely pace. This Japanese garden uses Kinko Bay as its pond and Sakurajima as its artificial hill. As you stroll around, you can sometimes see the active volcano across the bay billowing white smoke. The view is breathtaking.

After entering, I recommend first heading all the way toward the wooded area at the far end. Even in December, we were lucky enough to catch the beautiful sight of golden ginkgo leaves intertwined with deep-red late-season maple leaves. Along the way, don't forget to visit the Cat Shrine, a rare shrine in Japan where people pray for their cats' safety and health. Next to it is a unique little shop selling elegant Japanese-style goods and small cat-themed crafts, making it a great place to pick out souvenirs and preserve warm memories of this garden visit filled with history, nature, and hands-on fun.

Plans never keep up with changes. I had planned to visit Saraku Sand Bath Hall, but it was unexpectedly closed. Fortunately, a fellow traveler I met on the bus recommended Yamagawa Sunamushi Onsen Sayuri (Fushime Onsen), and we decided to go together. This unexpected detour became my most unforgettable memory of Ibusuki. Since I'd come all this way, I couldn't miss this natural steam sand bath, a rarity found in only a few places worldwide.

After getting off the bus, we had to walk a long stretch of rolling hills. The slight soreness in my legs made the warmth enveloping my entire body when I later lay in the black sand heated by geothermal steam feel even more soothing.

Supplies and yukata can be rented on-site, which is very convenient. After sweating and fully unwinding to the sound of the waves, I bought a bottle of cold, rich coffee milk in the lounge and drank it down. I felt refreshed from head to toe, bringing this serendipitous hot spring experience to a perfect close.

Located at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, Kaimondake is known as “Satsuma Fuji” for its nearly perfect conical shape and is also one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.

This time, we traveled all the way from Ibusuki Station by bus to Cape Nagasakibana. After visiting the legendary Ryugu Shrine, the best part of the trip was finding a bench facing the sea and quietly sitting down. Gazing at the beautiful mountain rising from the sea, accompanied by the waves—even though the sky was overcast, the gentle breeze on my face was an irreplaceable pleasure for the soul during the journey. At one point, the sun came out, and Satsuma Fuji’s reflection seemed to take on the captivating appearance of an upside-down Fuji.

Cape Nagasakibana is a beautiful cape in Kagoshima, with a white lighthouse and a spectacular view of Mount Kaimon, known as “Satsuma Fuji.” The seaside Ryugu Shrine has a mythical atmosphere, with its vermilion torii gate beautifully set against the blue sea and sky.

Since buses run very infrequently, travelers without a car should make sure to pick up a timetable at the tourist information center at Ibusuki Station and plan carefully so they don't miss the bus. Fortunately, buses in Japan are very punctual. On this trip, I happened to meet a backpacker who also preferred quiet, secluded places, and we chatted all the way in the sea breeze. The warmth of this once-in-a-lifetime encounter felt especially precious. Highly recommended for travelers who love avoiding crowds and enjoying peace and quiet at a deeper level.

As a fan of Kyushu's specialty trains, of course I couldn't miss this one. Boarding the black-and-white Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing train felt like instantly stepping into the legend of Urashima Taro.

Clouds of white mist spray out when the doors open, perfectly recreating the classic moment when the treasure box from the Dragon Palace is opened. The interior is made with warm southern Kyushu cedar and is full of details: swivel sofas facing the sea, charming bookshelves, and illustrations of schools of fish and the underwater world. Everywhere, there are clever touches inspired by the Dragon Palace legend we heard as children. Although the cars show some signs of age, that only adds a calm, nostalgic warmth.

Even on a rainy day, the scenery along the route looked like a painting from the window. During the ride, don't forget to ask for the postcard exclusive to each train and stamp it yourself with each train's limited-edition stamp, preserving forever the wonderful memory of this journey through legends, mountains, and sea.

Before visiting Sakurajima, I had no idea transportation was so convenient. There are frequent ferries running 24 hours a day between downtown Kagoshima and Sakurajima. The trip takes only about 15 minutes, and the special udon served onboard is not to be missed. Order a piping-hot bowl of udon with rich bonito broth and watch Sakurajima volcano gradually grow larger from the ferry. Before you know it, you've arrived on this magnificent active volcanic island—what an experience!

You can take a ferry from Kagoshima to Sakurajima. During the short trip, with the sea breeze blowing, the majestic active volcano occasionally releasing white smoke forms a striking contrast with the calm waters of Kinko Bay, creating an unforgettable view.

After arriving at the port, you'll find the small and charming Tsukiyomi Shrine tucked away beside the ferry terminal, a hidden spot worth visiting. Climb the stone steps for a distant view of the volcano from a peaceful vantage point, and you can also pray for good luck with an adorable limited-edition dove fortune. If you're not driving, you can walk to the nearby foot bath at Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park. It's a free hidden spot known mostly to locals: the water is clean and warm, and taking off your shoes and socks to soak your feet in the hot water amid the cold December wind instantly soothes both body and mind. Sitting beside the long foot bath, with unobstructed 360-degree views, you can quietly gaze at the smoking volcano while watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon and turn the sky golden. It's the purest and most luxurious slow-living moment of a trip to Sakurajima.

Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park is a little-known seaside treasure. There are few visitors, the atmosphere is peaceful, and almost only locals go there.

It's within walking distance of the ferry terminal and has a natural hot spring foot bath with clean, warm water that is completely free to use. In the evening, take off your shoes and socks and soak your feet in the hot water while watching the orange-red sun slowly set before you. Turn your head, and you can quietly gaze at the Sakurajima volcano as it occasionally releases white smoke. Enjoying the warmth amid the cool December sea breeze is the purest and most luxurious slow-paced experience in Sakurajima. I recommend it to travelers.

Getting to Kirishima Jingu Shrine from Miyazaki by train and then transferring to a very infrequent bus is truly a challenge for travelers without a car. However, after the long, bumpy journey, the moment I stepped off the bus and saw the enormous torii gate standing at the entrance to the mountain forest, all the travel fatigue instantly faded away.

Walking along the approach surrounded by lush greenery and red maple leaves, Kirishima Jingu Shrine suddenly came into view, tucked away in the mountains. Its solemn, sacred atmosphere inspired a deep sense of reverence. Under the clear blue sky, the National Treasure main hall looked especially striking. From the observation deck in front, you can even admire the magnificent mountain scenery of Kagoshima in the distance.

If you have the chance to visit, don’t miss the hidden highlight beside the main hall: a towering sacred tree that has stood for nearly 1,000 years. Look carefully toward the top of the tree, and you’ll find a shape resembling a figure dressed in traditional Shinto priest attire, hands pressed together in prayer. This remarkable coincidence created by nature is worth stopping to observe quietly and closely.