There is a generous Kagoshima.

Kagoshima is imbued with the powerful energy of a volcano, the generous spirit of the South, and the openness befitting a territory that has traded with foreign countries since its early days.

Việt Nam•13/10/2024

Phuong Nguyen

The Vietnam Airlines plane gently swayed in the air, gradually descending before tilting to land at Fukuoka Airport in the soft morning sunlight. The cool autumn air quickly woke us up, preparing us for an exciting journey: exploring the unique land at the southernmost tip of the Land of the Rising Sun – Kagoshima.

Kagoshima is a unique region with beautiful natural scenery.

A region of fascinating geography and nature.

Kagoshima boasts a fascinating geographical location, marking the end of a chain of landmasses stretching from Hokkaido. South of Kagoshima lies Okinawa, an archipelago distinct from the main Japanese mainland. Therefore, Kagoshima played a crucial role in Japan's history and its rise to prosperity after the Meiji Restoration. Along with Nagasaki, Kagoshima had major ports and opened to trade early on, resulting in a unique blend of cultures in architecture, art, and cuisine .

All the remaining historical sites in Kagoshima City will successively show visitors the glorious history and ups and downs of this land's past. Kagoshima's main castle, Tsurumaru Castle, located in the city center, marks the reign of the Shimazu clan. This structure was built during the Tokugawa Shogunate in the early 17th century. Today, Tsurumaru Castle and Terukuni Shrine are two must-see attractions for tourists interested in learning about the history of foreign lands when visiting Kagoshima.

For our group, Kagoshima had another unique feature. This city is home to the southernmost station of Japan's high-speed rail system (also known as the Shinkansen). From here, you can take a Shinkansen train across Japan, straight to the northernmost station, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido Prefecture, a distance of over 2,200 km. Extending the high-speed rail line across a territory with complex mountainous and island terrain was a remarkable achievement in Japan's journey to becoming a superpower.

Leaving the peaceful city center, we headed towards a symbol of Kagoshima: Mount Sakurajima. This active volcano is located about 15 minutes by ferry from Kagoshima Port. The weather was clear, allowing us to admire the bay and the bustling port area before arriving at the Yunohira Observatory for a panoramic view of the majestic Mount Sakurajima. Of course, this was only on days when the volcano was dormant, peaceful, and completely safe.

Enjoy exquisite cuisine.

I've been to Kyushu many times and have always been captivated by the distinctive, rich, generous, yet refined cuisine of the South, with Kagoshima being a prime example. Visitors will notice similarities in cuisine between this region and some other places in southern South Korea, as it is also famous for its black pork and fragrant shochu liquor.

Kurobuta is a specialty black pork from Kagoshima, raised from the Berkshire breed. This meat is famous for its rich, fatty flavor and is often prepared in various dishes, from tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlet) to shabu-shabu (pork hot pot). These dishes are often served with sweet and sour pickled radishes. Radishes are also a famous local product, thanks to the volcanic ash that allows farmers to grow giant white radishes. Kagoshima is also known for Keihan, a traditional chicken rice dish with white rice, shredded chicken, local vegetables, and a flavorful chicken sauce.

During our stay in Kagoshima, we were particularly delighted by the local shochu. Upon inquiry, we learned that the liquor is distilled from sweet potatoes (imo). Carefully selected over generations, the traditional shochu here is now one of the most exceptional liquors in Japan, with a strong and aromatic flavor.

On our last evening before leaving Kagoshima, we enjoyed some music played on the Satsuma Biwa, a traditional local lute. The cozy atmosphere, the rich aroma of sake, and the soothing music provided a perfect ending to our short but meaningful experience.

Leaving Japan, we carried in our memories the image of a peaceful land that played a significant role in Japan's modern and contemporary history. Kagoshima was imbued with the powerful spirit of a volcano, the generous nature of the South, and the openness of a territory that had traded with foreign countries from a very early stage.