Kagoshima, Japan

Japan has over 6,000 islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean. Kagoshima lies on the southwestern tip of the island of Kyushu, one of the four major islands in Japan.

Kagoshima has been nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern World” because of its bay, located in a caldera; an active volcano, Mount Sakurajima; and mild climate. Its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire accounts not only for its volcano but also for its hot springs and the world’s only natural steam sand baths. People come to Kagoshima to be buried in the steamy sands and immerse themselves in steam baths.

Kagoshima Welcome

Mount Sakurajima’s last eruption in 1914 produced so much lava it greatly increased the size of the island around it. When the evacuated townspeople returned, they discovered that the island was now connected to the nearby peninsula. People can now drive to the base of the volcano, although no closer than a couple of miles.

When we were in Rabaul, New Guinea, I wrote that that would probably be the only time in my life I would have breakfast near an active volcano. I was wrong. In Kogashima, sitting down for breakfast, I looked out and saw Sakurajima, an active volcano five times the size of the Rabaul volcano. Who would have thought I would eat breakfast that close to an active volcano twice in my life—and just within a few weeks.

Fortunately, we got to see Mount Sakurajima early in the morning before rain began to fall. The view wasn’t very clear, but at least we got to see it. By midmorning, the volcano was totally obscured by the fog and rain. We were thankful that we hadn’t booked the tour to the volcano that we had been considering. People who took the tour didn’t get to see a thing and returned wet and miserable.

Mount Sakurajima Before Heavy Rains Started

It is said that the industrial revolution in Japan started in Kagoshima. Statues of the 17 students sent to study Western science and technology in England and the USA stand in front of the main train station.

Kagoshima has the dubious distinction of being one of the places where Kamikaze pilots flew out of during WWII. The Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots is located at a former air base.

We waited for a while before going out, hoping the rain would let up. It truly was a miserable day with rain that got heavier as the day went on. Unfortunately, it only got worse, with strong winds blowing the rain sideways. An umbrella wouldn’t provide much protection from that driving rain.

The city of Kagoshima put on a nice welcoming ceremony for the ship and had erected tents providing information and selling local goods. Tourist information people stood in the rain getting soaked guiding people where to go. They didn’t allow the weather to dim their hospitality.

We decided with all of their efforts, we couldn’t leave without seeing something of Kagoshima. So we put on two layers of clothing and the heavy vinyl raincoats we had brought with us and trudged out into the rain. It was blowing so hard we almost got knocked over making our way to the shuttle bus. If nothing else, we would ride the shuttle bus downtown, a 30-minute ride, and see something of the city. During the ride, we learned that the DIY centers in Kagoshima are called “Handman.”

When we arrived in the center of Kagoshima, a long line of passengers was waiting miserably in the rain to return to the ship. We didn’t bother getting off the bus.

Just before the ship sailed at 5:00 p.m. we looked out to discover that a brass band had come out onto the dock area and were playing, along with women in kimonos waving flags. Children didn’t mind the rain and were jumping in puddles. The band played under tents, but the band director, soloists and dancers performed in the rain, which by this time was a deluge. The kids in the band played with such enthusiasm you would have thought it was a sunny spring day. We stood on the deck and cheered and wave, trying to show our appreciation. As we pulled away, we heard the band playing “In the Mood” and people yelling, “See you again.”

Unfortunately, we don’t have any pictures that we took in the city of Kagoshima and the farewell on the dock. The ones we took were so blurred by the rain that we could barely make out what they were. However, the scene of the band playing their hearts out in the heavy rain is one I will never forget.