RW Promotion
KAGOSHIMA
DAY TRIPS
The historic samurai town of Izumi is a
preserved district in Japan and you can take
an ox-cart ride through the streets. It’s 30
minutes from Kumamoto by train and the
Izumi-Fumoto History Museum displays the
weapons and armour used by old warriors.
In Kagoshima Bay you’ll find Sakurajima,
one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and
the symbol of Kagoshima. You can take
a ferry to the island, where you can hike,
have a foot bath or enjoy the onsens.
Senganen Garden, founded in 1658, is
a landscaped garden on the coast north of
Kagoshima – and the scenery is boosted
with a backdrop of Sakurajima and
Kagoshima Bay. The garden itself includes
ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo
grove. You can also try on samurai armour.FESTIVAL SPIRIT
To commemorate the act of a clan leader
who broke through enemy lines in the Battle
of Sekigahara in 1600, castle warriors began
travelling to Myoenji Temple to pay their
respects. The ceremony, Myoenjimairi, is
now one of the three biggest festivals in
Kagoshima. It takes place on 26-27 October.
Take a journey back in time with the
festival’s Warriors’ Procession, a parade
where people dress in samurai costumes,
and the Saibun Sojo, an address to the gods.
The Ibusuki Onsen Festival (26-27
September) has a long history that started
after World War Two. Citizens worship at the
Yunogongen Shrine to give thanks for the
onsen and to pray it will last forever. Enjoy
hanya odori dancing and fireworks.
The Izumi Machi Terrace Festival holds
the Guinness World Record for the largest
display of lanterns in one venue (55,434),
set in 2016. This year’s festival runs from 1-3
November and features a bamboo lantern
competition. Taiwan’s Dragon Lantern – 15m
long and 6m high – will also be on display.On parade
Ibusuki Onsen FestivalSpecial event
Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival
will be part of Matsuri in Kyushu