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Home , Aira Caldera, Ibusuki Makurazaki Line, Kagoshima, Kagoshima Bay, Minamisatsuma, Nippo Main Line

Travel Guide of Scenic Byway Kyushu

Q-❻ Scenic Byways Cities of Kagoshima, Ibusuki, MinamiKyushu, , and Makurazaki （Kagoshima Pref.）—Active , Shirasu Plateau & Sub-tropical Zone, Leading Activities toward Era ― in the southern Kyushu has in the center. In addition, the Osumi Peninsula is located on the east side of the bay, and the Satsuma Peninsula, on the west side. Under such terrain conditions, areas related to Kagoshima Scenic Byways extends from in the bay to the southern part of the Satsuma Peninsula. As shown in the map, it is composed of five cities: Kagoshima, Minami-Kyushu, Ibusuki, Makurazaki, and Minami-satsuma, and belongs to the Kirishima Kinkowan National Park in the subtropical region. (Note: “Kinkowan” is another name for Kagoshima Bay). The most important resource common to the entire Kagoshima Scenic Byway is the active volcano lined up at the Kyushu Volcano Front, that extends from Kagoshima Bay. Hot water gushes from the submarine volcano “Wakamiko” in the back of the bay, and bubbles sometimes appear. In addition, steam smoke from Sakurajima volcano can be seen almost every day. The average number of eruptions in the last 10 years is about 590 times a year. We are often amazed by the sound of explosion and bothered by the fall of volcanic ash (see the right Photo (1)). Q-❻ Map of Kagoshima Scenic Byways Mt. Kaimon-dake is located at the entrance of the bay, and the crater at the summit is covered like a hat by the second eruption at the end of the 9th century and looks like Mt. (see Photo (4)). Interest in volcanoes lies not only in the eruption but also in its blessings. You can get many benefits such as Sakurajima's radish, Satsuma small orange, industrial products made of volcanic ash, and hot springs. The locals are also called "Satsuma Hayato" and the eruption has helped strengthen their spirit. It is very interesting to experience the (1) & (2) Sakurajima (left) seen in Kagoshima City, and Kagoshima Bay lives of the locals, thinking about what it means to live in a volcanic area that looks more attractive than dangerous. , , and Ibusuki-Makurazaki [Access] is a base for access to the scenic route Line, and you can also access the major cities in the southern area of Kagoshima, and has six international routes to Korea, China, of the prefecture by a railway. and Taiwan. In addition, there are 17 domestic lines, 8 of which are and Minami-Kyushu Expressway are tied in served to Okinawa and the southern islands in the prefecture. the center of Kagoshima City. Therefore, you can access various The terminal station on the Kyushu is Kagoshima- scenic spots smoothly. Chuo Station, which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes from Hakata [Main Route of Landscape Area] When dividing the main Station (). Kagoshima-Chuo Station is connected to the landscape road area into north and south at JR Kagoshima Chuo

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(1) Sakurajima Raising the Plume. (1) Torii (Shrine’s Gate) buried in Volcanic Ash. Shirasu plateau (Hioki City)

(3) Street of Residence and Japanese Style of Garden in the Chiran Fumoto Town of Minami-Kyuhsu City. Station, the main routes in the north are as follows. In other words, In short, as you drive along the coastline, you’ll come across as shown in the map, you will go around Sakurajima on National distinctive landscapes such as plateaus that develop on the cracked Route 224 and Prefectural Road 26, and then take a ferry from cliffs, and arched white beaches as in the Photo above. Sakurajima Port to Kagoshima Port in the center of Kagoshima (B) Historical Heritage of . City. After that, the main routes in the city are National Route 10 From the to the (12th to 19th and Prefectural Road 21 that connect to Kagoshima Chuo Station, centuries), Shimazu Clan ruled a vast territory in Kagoshima and trams run on them. Prefecture and southern area of Prefecture. Therefore, in On the other hand, there are National Roades 225 and 226 at the the Edo period (17th~19th century), a samurai system was main areas of the Satsuma Peninsula, which are complemented by established that was not necessary concentrated in the castle town the Ibusuki Skyline Moterway. In addition, the prefecture roads on of Kagoshima, even under the law of "one castle in one country". the peninsula are well maintained, so you can enjoy comfortable This was different from other feudal clan. driving in the countryside. Bus routes running on National Roads In other words, while there were samurai who lived in the castle 226 and 225, and the JR Kyushu Ibusuki / Makurazaki Line which town and served in the castle, there were also samurai who usually is parallel to National Road 226, are available in the coastline area. engaged in agriculture and served as soldiers in an emergency. The [Regional Resources] One of the local scenic resources is the special latter samurai, who lived in rural areas, served as both samurai geological structure of the Kagoshima region, where the active and peasants, and were called "Goshi" in Japanese (See Q-⓮). volcanoes of Kagoshima Bay and the plateau of "Shirasu" soil The total of these two types of samurai reached about 40% of the spread (A). In addition, the historical heritage of Shimazu clan (B), total population of the Kagoshima domain. The financial situation and the footsteps of the youths in the ages (C) are of the clan was bad, because it was difficult to grow rice on the much interesting. Shirasu soil, and there were many typhoons and volcanoes, and (A) Bay and Shirasu Plateau made of Volcanic Eruption. many disasters occurred. In addition, since the Kagoshima area is Kagoshima Bay and its surroundings were rifts in the earth in located at the southern tip of the country, it was necessary to the ancient times and had a lot of volcanic activities. At that time, strictly defend the entire area. These were the reasons for devising the Aira was formed in the back of the bay, the north Ata a unique samurai system. In this unique Samurai society, the caldera in the center, and the south Ata caldera at the mouth of the village where Samurai and their families lived was called "Fumoto" bay, and seawater flowed into it, and created a bay (see Photo (2)). (see Photo (3)). Sakurajima in the back of the bay was originally an island, but (C) Leading Activities in the Meiji Era the eruption of 1914 connected it to the Osumi Peninsula, and the In the radical political changes from the Edo period to the Meiji current Kagoshima Bay was born. Excluding the waterway on the period (19th century to 20th century), Satsuma produced people west side of Sakurajima and the mouth of the bay, the average who played a more important role than other regions. depth of the bay is about 130m. (11th feudal lord of the Shimazu clan) On the other hand, due to various volcanic activities covering promoted measures to strengthen the wealth and military power Satsuma and Osumi Peninsula, a large amount of pyroclastic flow of the clan. In particular, after Anglo-Satsuma War in 1863, various was ejected, forming the Shirasu plateau widely. The slopes of this industries such as shipbuilding and machinery have been Shirasu plateau form cliffs of about 20 to 100 meters and can be modernized, and their heritage has been registered as a World seen everywhere as shown in above Photo. Cultural Heritage “Meiji Japanese Industrial Revolution Heritage”. Crashed Shirasu sand flowed into the sea and was washed up on the coast, creating a beautiful long arched beach. In particular, the Based on the above resources and their distribution, Kagoshima arched coast on the west side of Satsuma Peninsula is 47 km long scenic cityscape can be divided into five blocks (see the map). and is called “Fukiage-Hama (beach)”. (1) Sakurajima Global Geo-park.

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The ferry from Kagoshima Port in the center of Kagoshima City broke the isolation policy of the Edo Shogunate and studied abroad to Sakurajima Port is used by many residents and tourists, and in in 1865, under the protection of Shimazu Clan. Most of makes 4 round trips an hour during the daytime. In addition to this them returned to after the Meiji Restoration, gained a high liner, there are also one- or two- hours cruise tours, depending on position in the government, and greatly contributed to the the season. modernization of Japan (see Q-⓮). In 2013, Sakurajima Volcano and Kinko Bay (Kagoshima Bay) b) If you go about 500 meters north from JR Kagoshima-Chuo were listed up to Global Geoparks. As shown in Photos (1), the Station along the tramway, you will find the Kotsuki River. This fascinating spots of Sakurajima are the lava-filled coastline, the riverside town (Kajiya-cyo) was a residential area of lower-ranking submarine volcano, Torii (shrine gate) buried in volcanic ash, and samurai. Many talented people who were deeply involved in the the crater which steam continues to generate. At the foot of the Meiji Restoration have grown up, and related materials are volcano, sightseeing bus tours go around eight times a day. exhibited at the hometown museum of the Meiji Restoration (Ishin- (2) Downtown of Kagoshima City. Furusatokan). It will be very meaningful and effective to look Block (2) is the central urban area of Kagoshima City. If going around the city based on that information. north from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, you will find Prefecture c) When you get off the tram at Aquarium front station, you will Road 21 and National Road 10 where trams run. Important arrive at Kagoshima Port, where the old port (important cultural landscape resources along these roads are the Shimadzu heritage property) and the aquarium are located. of the Edo period and the world heritage of the industrial revolution d) Taking north on National Road 10, you will find Ishibashi (Stone in the early Meiji era, but if you go around the city from Kagoshima Bridge) Memorial Park. Here, the three stone bridges that once Chuo Station, it is as follows. spanned the Kotsuki River were relocated and rebuilt after the a) In front of JR Kagoshima Chuo Station, there is a monument flood. These original bridges were built in the mid-19th century and with many statues of young people attached.They are youths who

Sekiyoshi's Hydrophobic Groove (2) Former Spinning Station Engineer’s House Shoko-Shuseikan (Former Machine Factory, and now Museum)

(2) Kagoshima’s Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution

(2) Nishida Bashi (1946, 49.5m in length) Shimazu Nariakira (Stone Bridge Memorial Park) (2) Statue of Saigo Takamori

(2) Tenmonkan-Dori (arcade) in CBD of Kagoshima City

(2)-1 Group of Satsuma’s young people Map of Kagoshima City ((2）block) and several Photos on Scenic Sites

3 you can learn about the detailed design and construction techniques developed in Kyushu. e) Proceeding north on National Road 10 for about 2km, you will find Shimazu Villa and Sengan-en Garden. Sites of “Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage of Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Industry” (2015 World Cultural Heritage) are also adjacent and you can visit (3) Tomiya-Shokudou (Dining Hall) which was (3) Chiran Peace Memorial Hall the relax place for Special Attacker. them. In other words, at the end of Edo (Minami-Kyushu City) period (first half of the 19th century), Shimazu Nariakira (the lord of clan) introduced industries such as shipbuilding, steelmaking, spinning, and glass manufacturing to enhance wealth and strengthen maritime defense. These factories were located in the Shuseikan (building of industrial complex), but it is now the museum that convey the history and culture of the Shimazu clan, and some of the machines and equipment of that time are also on display. (5) Double Sword Stones (Minami-Satsuma City). (4) Kaimondake Volcano (Ibusuki City). f) Returning to the city center and climbing you can also take a ferry across Kagoshima Bay to Minami-Osumi the hill (108m) behind the city hall, you can see Kagoshima Bay, Town on the Osumi Peninsula. Sakurajima Volcano, and Osumi Peninsula. The hill is called In and around Ibusuki City, there are typical scenic spots such “Shiro-yama” because the castle was built in the past. During the as the Volcano (Kaimon-dake), caldera (Lake Ikeda), crater Edo period, however, the inner castle of the Shimazu clan was (Yamakawa Bay) and the sandy beach steam baths. In addition, newly built at the foot of the hill and was called Kagoshima Castle the Hashimure-gawa site near JR Ibusuki Station is designated as (or Tsurumaru Castle). The castle was often destroyed in disasters a national historic site, and is famous for clarifying the relationship and rebuilt every time, but has not been rebuilt since the fire in between Jomon and Yayoi in the Stone Age for the first time. 1874. Still, the stone wall, moats, stone bridge, and main gate (5) Region of Makurazaki City and Minami-Kyushu City remain and can be visited. Taking west along National Road 266, you will arrive at the (3) Chiran-cho Town in MinamiKyushu City. Makurazaki City. The city thrives with fishery industries, and the Chiran-cho Town in Minami-Kyushu City is about 50 minutes amount of production of bonito chips, the essence of Japanese by car or 70 minutes by bus from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station. And cuisine, is the largest in Japan. While watching Mt. Kaimon-dake, this town is famous for the samurai residence and the Peace you can visit the Makurazaki Fish Center, long and slender rocks Memorial Museum. (Tategami-iwa) protruding from the sea, and the Brewery for a) In Chiran-cho, the village of samurai residence, which was called Satsuma Shochu. "Fumoto" in the Edo period, remains over 800 meters. As shown in Next is a tour of the southwestern tip of Kyushu. The main spots Photo (3), the fence along the road is beautifully formed by are Bonotsu Port, Noma Peninsula and Fukiage Hama (Beach). combining yew trees and stone walls, and it is highly regarded as Bonotsu Port, which was the hub of trade with China, is known as one of 100 carefully selected roads in Japan. the port where the ambassador's ships from Japan to Tang stopped In addition, the of the mansion is made of trees by. It is also the port where the Tang priest, Ganjin, who tried to and stones against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains and come to Japan many times at the request of the emperor but failed nature. Due to this excellent design, seven gardens were each time, finally succeeded in landing. He traveled from Bonotsu designated as national sites of scenic beauty, while the streets of to the capital of via Dazaifu in Fukuoka, passed on Buddhist samurai residences are registered as a traditional building precepts, and made drastic reforms. preservation area. Furthermore, you can enjoy fishing and marine sports on the b) At the end of the Pacific War, a military base for special attacks coast of Noma Peninsula. There are places where you can enjoy was built in Chiran-cho Town. Many young attackers flew planes views of complex rocks and small islands, and the scenery of and attacked enemy warships in exchange for their lives. This is an terraced farm fields made of natural stones is also impressive. unprecedented tragedy in human history. After the war, the Peace When you go around the Noma Peninsula, the scenery turns into Memorial Museum was built to pray for peace and display a long white sand beach (Fukiagehama). In every May, a sand portraits and materials of attackers. Please visit the memorial hall festival is held on the beach, where you can see stunning sand and pray that such a tragedy will never happen again. statues of many historical figures and famous buildings. In the (4) Ibusuki Area of Sand Steaming Spa center of Minami-Satsuma City, there are some residences that can You can reach the center of Ibusuki City by heading south on trace the changes of Japanese houses over 100 years ago. National Road 266 for about 50 km from Kagoshima Chuo Station, or by taking the JR Ibusuki-makurazaki Line for about an hour. It Publishing and Copy right: Promotion Council of Scenic Byway Kyushu is located at the southeastern end of the Satsuma Peninsula, while C○ (Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved)

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