Travel information for Sakurajima Volcano

The ferry between Kagoshima Port and Sakurajima Port operates 24 hours a day, so you don’t have to worry about missing the ferry time and not being able to return to Kagoshima City. This ferry not only carries people, but also cars, trucks and even tour buses will take this ferry to Sakurajima. Therefore, general sightseeing groups may just sit on the tour bus and take the ferry directly to Sakurajima for sightseeing. The cabin of the ferry is very spacious. There are not many tourists on non-holidays. They are probably residents of Sakurajima or people transporting supplies. You can take the ferry at Kagoshima Port without buying a ticket, just take the ferry directly. You need to prepare change before disembarking. Even if you don’t have change, don’t be nervous. There is usually a currency exchange machine.

It takes about 15 minutes by ferry from the city to arrive at the foot of this volcano, which is as explosive as Mount Vesuvius. It is very exciting to be able to observe an active volcano at such a close distance. After viewing the history of the Sakurajima volcano eruption and the relationship between the volcano and the people in the surrounding area at the Island Visitor Center, we went to the Arimura Lava Observatory. The vast and boundless lava group makes people feel like they are on the moon. It is as if you can hear it even if you touch the earth. To the powerful pulse of life coming from deep within the earth.

Beside the winding trail, there is a monument with a poem by the Japanese writer Kaionji Shiogoro, which reads, "The Sakurajima volcano in front of us is the erupting mountain that Saigo and Okubo have also witnessed." There is a scene in the Taiga drama "Atsuhime". In order to become the shogun's wife, Atsuhime embarked on the road to the distant Edo. When she was leaving, Atsuhime clasped her hands towards the Sakurajima volcano, praying that it would continue to protect it. Satsuma land. The Sakurajima daikon (big radish) grown from the dark volcanic soil weighs up to 30 kilograms. Each one is so huge that it is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, making it a natural specialty of Sakurajima. Because the large root is sweet and juicy, surrounding snacks have also emerged, such as pickled radish, dried radish, etc. In addition, there is the world’s smallest tangerine, the Sakurajima tangerine, which has become one of the important economic sources for the residents of the island.

In addition, there is the "Sakurajima Visitor Center" that displays and introduces Sakurajima's volcano, nature and history, the "Sakurajima Natural Dinosaur Park", a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and you can look at Kagoshima with your back to Sakurajima. Sakurajima Sea Fishing Park and other places where sea fishing is available on the city side.