Travel with Blueginger: Kagoshima (鹿児島) / Sakurajima (桜島) / Ibusuki (指宿市) 4D3N @ Kyushu, Chūgoku & Kansai.

This Japan trip is the longest we ever had, it was 18days, travelling throughout Kyushu, Chūgoku & Kansai and snow was not hopeful for us.

To fill in all 18days experience in a blog, it will be extremely long and readers might get bored.. hahaha

Therefore I decided to split this trip into a few blogs, we will be changing 5 accommodations from simple homestay to Onsen ryokans scattering from Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kinosaki and Osaka. Inbetween, we will be daytripping to nearby cities as well.

Let's start the ball rolling now...

Singapore to Osaka via SQ A380

Boss took numerous trips on A380 but first time for me & BF.

BF was really very excited that he snap many photos while on flight.

After 6hrs of flying, finally we landed at Kansai International Airport at 0845hrs. Our first

destination here is Kagoshima, after crossing customs & taking our luggages, we proceed to buy bus ticket for the designated ticket kiosk for designated route at designated berth.
For mine, it will be berth 8 so I have to buy ticket accordingly. JPY1950 per person from Kansai airport to Itami airport.

Look out for the bus arrival time, and wait at the berth for the arrival. Not to worry for your baggages as there are staff there help you to load into the bus.

The journey took us 1hr and 20min to reach.

Osaka to Kagoshima via NH at Itami Airport

From what I known of, this is an international airport too, assisting the super busy Kansai, However Despite its "international" designation, the airport's scheduled passenger air traffic is entirely domestic and crowd is much lesser. The procedure here is short and sharp. Check in at level 1 at your airline then go to level 2 to go through security screening then go to your gate. No need go through immigrations at all.

Our NH545 is leaving at 1300hrs for Kagoshima, we still have some time to walk around, chill around & eat around. Well this is our first meal in Japan - Curry Katsu Rice. Though it taste average but we still ate finished everything.

This tiny mini teeny Bombardier is bring us to Kagoshima. Our first time on propeller flight. The whole journey on this flight is rather noisy... well .. we still enjoy it and the crew onboard are very nice.

Kagoshima

A mere 1hr 20min flying time, we landed at Kagoshima airport.

BF is happily posing while Boss is busy on business call.

There is no train service from the airport, the nearest train station is 15min away but there are buses going all over Kyushu, it come in every 10mins. Get your ticket at the self service machine, my destination is Kagoshima Chuo station which is JPY1250 per ticket and the ride is mere 45min.

I highly recommend you take the bus! You no need to worry about your luggage, there are 2 staff there to assist you to load the baggages to the luggage compartment below, just hand over to them, it is very safe... And they will ask you where you going as they need to consolidate per destination.. 99% of us are going to Kagoshima Chuo .. and they actually knew it already .. Just verify with you for just in case's sake.

Kagoshima's main train station is Kagoshima Chuo Station (formerly known as Nishi Kagoshima Station), while Kagoshima Station is a smaller station on the opposite side of the city center. There are two tram lines which serve both railway stations and provide quick and convenient service in the downtown area. One ride costs 170 yen regardless of the distance travelled. There is even coin changing machine onboard.

The Welcome Cute pass is a pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists (passport required at the time of purchase) on trams, the City View Bus, the Sakurajima Island View Bus, other city operated buses and the Sakurajima Ferry on one or two consecutive calendar days. The 1-day pass costs 1200 yen, while the 2-day pass costs 1800 yen. The pass also includes discounts at some tourist facilities.

Our Homestay

Our homestay is barely 5min walk from Kagoshima Chuo station. Glad that it is very spacious and cozy though we need to climb up 4 stories of stairs. My BF is a strong boy!

Tenmokan Shopping Arcade

There are 4 streets in Tenmokan ( Tenmokan-Dori, Sennichi Arcade, Tenjin Pira Mall & Bunka Dori which open at night )

The Tenmonkan shopping arcade has a roof cover to provide shade from the sun and rain and also volcanic ash from Mount Sakurajima. Currently now known as Kagoshima’s premier shopping district, visitors can enjoy shopping and dining.

There are plenty of restaurants which serve shochu and the famous Kagoshima delicacy of kurobuta (pork) shabu-shabu. In addition, choosing souvenirs isn’t too difficult here.

Our first dinner here is Black Pork Hotpot in Tenmokan.

Joyfull Local Fast Food Restaurant

We are heading to a iconic place today, which is Sakurajima, got up real early... Had breakfast at a local fast food restaurant named Joyfull, which is 3 minutes walk away from our apartment. Not only the atmosphere is comfortable, the price is very affordable too.. Yes.. Japanese eat rice for breakfast.

Close up on BF's main dish

Close up on Boss's main dish

Close up on my main dish

Sakurajima

Sakurajima is a volcanic island, it is a symbol of Kagoshima, she is one of the world's greatest active volcanoes that smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day, thus nobody owns a white car in Kagoshima. It is so common to be cover in ash at times.

She stood tall and graceful at 1,117 meters tall and 50km round.

Sakurajima has three main peaks: Kita-dake, Naka-dake and Minami-dake.The Minami-dake peak is currently the most active, with many eruptions taking place from the Showa Crater on the peak's eastern slope. It is prohibited to approach within two kilometers of the volcano's craters, but there are many observation points around Sakurajima where eruptions can be observed from about three kilometers away.

Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected around the clock by frequent ferries. The one way ride takes 15 minute and costs 160 yen. The ferry terminal is a ten minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a five minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop, and is also served by the City View Buses. Here come my ferry, the fare is included in my Welcome Cute Pass.

If you drives, this ferry can bring your car into the island too.

In Sakurajima itself, you can move around on your personal transports. It is also possible to travel around Sakurajima by public transportation. There is a loop bus for tourists, the Sakurajima Island View Bus, that operates hourly, covers the west area of Sakurajima.

Departing from and arriving at Sakurajima Port. The one hour course has stop-overs at Sakurajima Visitor Centre (a volcano museum), the Yunohira Observatory (closest spot to the crater, which is at an elevation of 373m) and so on. Strongly recommended for visitors with limited time but still would like to visit all the "must-see locations" on Sakurajima. At each stop, bus driver will advise us the next departure time via a white board.

This loop bus passes through Sakurajima's stunning natural scenery and attractions.

One course pass : JPY500 per adult / JPY250 per child

Here are where the bus going to stops:

1) Sakurajima Port

2) Hinoshima Megumikan Rest Stop

3) Rainbow Resort Sakurajima

4) Sakurajima Visitor Centre

5) Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park

6) Karasujima Observatory

7) Akamizu Observatory Square

8) Akamizu Yunohira-guchi

9) Yunohira Observatory

10) Oshu Elementary School

Loop bus map in Japanese

In Sakurajima, these are the spots we visited:

1) Akamizu Observatory Square

2) Sakurajima Yogan Nagasi Park
With Kinko Bay in front and the magnificent Mount Sakurajima behind, one can feel the energy of mother's nature. For those who want more than just a footbath, do head over to Sakurajima Magma Hot Spring facility nearby.

Not only there is 100m long foot hot spring and it is free of charge! Immerse your tired feet in the natural hot spring water discharged from 1000m underground, to recuperate from fatigue.

For cat lovers, there is quite a handful of these furry cuties lazing around here waiting for you to pet.

3) Yunohira Observatory

This is the highest point on Mt Sakurajima that is open to the public. From the observatory, you can see a rough lava field and rising plumes of the volcanic smoke. This spot commands a picturesque view of Kagoshima city and the calm water of Kinko Bay.

4) Hinoshima Megumikan Rest Stop

Here is a very local restaurant whose menu is created from finest ingredients from Sakurajima itself.

There is also a big mart selling local products.

Mini orange flavoured soft served is available here as well!

It is so common to see this type of "no man manage" stalls here. Customers are expected to put the money of your purchase into the money box.

See, she is spewing again.. this is her usual self where the people here are used to it.

Our second dinner is Fried Kurobuta
Located in AMU Plaza at Kagoshima Chuo station.

Taito Centre at AMU Plaza
BF went in to visit this place casually but he got overly excited when he saw 6DX here, back in Singapore it is only 5DX but in Japan, it is 6th version. Per game at JPY100!!!!

Boss has lucky hands on the UFO catcher!

Ibusuki

This is an onsen town, particularly famous for sand baths, where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand. The town encompasses the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, and the main downtown area is along the coast facing Kagoshima Bay.

Since it is on the way, we decided to drop by Nishi Oyama JR station just to take this photo before going to Ibusuki.

Nishi-Oyama JR station is a little humble station that is located at the southern most .

Limited numbers of trains stop here daily so visitors must check the timing wisely to avoid paying for expensive cab fare back to the town.

From Kagoshima Chuo station, we choosen the 0621hrs JR Ibusukimakurazi line (if you miss this timing, the next one is 1000hrs) The ride took 1hr 26min at JPY1290 per person.

You are required to change to another train at the opposite track at Yamakawa station.

The main reason why we are coming here is for Kaimondake volcano aka Mini Mount Fuji which is the backdrop of this below photo.

It was 0747rs when we arrived here and there is not a single soul around.

The whole place is only three of us ... felt so exclusive.. I believed we are super early that why. We get out of the station to roam around since the next train come in an hour time.

There is a shop named 久太郎 that located just outside of the station, we well as a lovely yellow post box here.

There is a traditional to send your blessings and your happiness to your love ones via a postcard here.

So we did sent postcards back to Singapore.

Including the 2 shopkeepers in this shop and including the 3 of us.. There is merely 5 living souls at this place. Since this whole place belongs to us only, it is our chance to enjoy every bit.

Nagasakibana Lookout (长崎鼻)

There is a tourist office located in Ibusuki station.

There is a Chinese speaking staff served us who suggested to us to buy a one day pass at JPY1200 per person. This pass included all bus ride within Ibusuki or take off from Ibusuki.

Free foot onsen is located just outside of the JR station!

Cape Nagasakibana can be easily reached by bus from Ibusuki station, car park is also available for those who drives. Below photo is the bus-stop of this place.

The scenery at the lookout and the views across the bay are superb and left us speechless.

What is so special about this place ?

#1 Ryugu Shinto Shrine (龙宫神社)

#2 The statue of Urashima Taro (浦岛太郎)
He is a figure in ancient Japanese legend.

#3 A lighthouse

#4 Rocky Black Volcanic Shore
It is really very rocky, make sure you have a good covered shoes.

#5 Black Volcanic Sandy Beach
When the season arrives, turtles will come ashore to lay their eggs.

There is also a handful of shops selling food, souvenirs.

Overall the place is not big, easily covered in 30mins. I really like the peaceful atmosphere of the sea waves rolling in to an unspoilt coastline. Well worth a visit. The photos already spoke for itself!

Shieitosenkyo Nagashi Somen (唐船峡流水面)

Address: 891-0603-5957, Kaimonjutcho Ibusuki-shi

There is a direct bus from Cape Nagasakibana that lead us here. The scenic journey was about 30 mins.

Well, What's more can I say for such interesting experience? I never came across such good quality of water! A picture speaks a thousand words.... A video speaks a million words..

What are they seeing ? Refer to the video below. :D

The food here is great as well. Must be the water and the great atmosphere.

Sunamushi Onsen Natural Sand Bath "Saraku"

Address : 891-0406 5-25-18, Yunohama, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima, Japan

What interested me was actually the sand bath only.

Here is the procedure:

Step 1 : Buy your preferred package at the counter. For me , I chosen Sand Bath and Onsen.

Sand Bath: JPY1080 Hot Bath : JPY610 Bath Towel and yukata rental : JPY200

Step 2 : Change into your robe then go to the sand bath, upon the exit from the building, there is a staff there who will tell you to wear the slipper.

Step 3 : At the sand bath tent, staff will guide you to a designated spot where you laid down and staff will use a spade to cover you with the black volcanic sand. Your hair will be well covered by the towel. The sand will cover you till neck area and then relax and feel the heat that surrounds you. The process takes about 15 mins and it will improve blood circulation.

Step 4 : Go back to your changing room, remove the robe and wash away the sand then jump into the hot pool.

Such a pity that we did not bring along our camera for a memorable snap therefore I got these photos by snapping the brochures. I really like the sand bath a lot, when the process for sand bath ended, I see myself in the mirror and realised that I am red all over. My blood does circulates..

As for the onsen itself, I think it is average. Standard pool.. only one pool.. So to me, this hot bath here is not impressive.