Japan Drive Route Guide

This journey takes you from Kagoshima to Kirishima. You can have a relaxing day because the mileage is only about 100km. The main highlight of this day has to be the Senganen Garden(仙巌園). There is the house of the Shimazu family who strongly contributed to the Japan modernization and you can enjoy an idyllic Sakurajima view from their beautiful garden. After that, you can take the Sakurajima Ferry from Kagoshima Ferry Terminal to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. It is a 15min cruise. They are operating 70 cruises, 24/24 hours and you don’t need to make reservation. You can check how to take it with Kagoshima Ferry Terminal(鹿児島フェリーターミナル) page. Once you reach Sakurajima island, let' s drive to the Yunohira Observatory(湯之平展望所) at the bottom of Mt.Sakurajima. Today's recommended lunch is at the secret fisherman's restaurants which are unknown by foreign tourists. Their ambejack fish are amazing. Please check the map. After that, let's stop by the Tsubobatake(坂元のくろず壺畑情報館) where black vinegar has been produced in a traditional way for more than 200 years. Then, you can head to the Kirishima (霧島) area which has many other sightseeing spots like a farm, a highland, a park where Onsen steam blows out from the ground, and so on. At night, please take a rest at a traditional Onsen in Kirishima. In addition, be assured that there are amazing azelea places in spring and some colored Ginkgo trees forests. If you travel in spring or autumn, our daily driving map will guide you directly to these spots.

This day will head from Kirishima to Ibusuki famous sand bath resorts. Mileage about 140km. If you haven't visited "Kirishima Shrine(霧島神宮)" first. Then, let's drive to "Ryumon Falls(龍門滝)" to refresh in clean air. If you like, "Kamou Hachiman Shrine(蒲生八幡神社)"which has the biggest camphor tree is recommended too. Then let's take highway to Chiran town. The biggest highlight of this day is "Chiran Samurai House District(知覧武家屋敷)" where is listed as preserved district of traditional buildings with 270 years history.. You can enjoy walking through 7 Samurai houses with beautiful Japanese gaedens. You also can enjoy lunch and tea in this town. Our driving map will guide you some Japanese restaurant in Samurai house and famous English tea house. After lunch,"Chiran Peace Museum(知覧特攻平和会館)" is worth to see. Here is museum of young men who were chosen as Kamikaze(suicidal attack) pilots. In spring, cherry blossoms street is beautiful there too. Ibusuki is nationally famous for its sand bath. It is recommended to reach your inn early and enjoy it and Onsen too. If you don't stay inn with sand bath facility, you also can go to oneday sand bath too. In addition, there are amazing cherry blossom and wisteria places on this route in spring If you will travel in these period, our daily driving map will guide you these spots. It is really worth to see and please priority there.

This day will head from Ibusuki to Kagoshima. You can relax this day because mileage is about 120km only. If you haven't try sand bath, let's go to one day sand bath first. Then, first destination is "Cape Nagasakibana(長崎鼻)" which is located the most sourthernmost Satsuma Peninsula. You can enjoy the sight of the majestic Mt.Kaimondake. You also can stop by "Flower Park Kagoshima(フラワーパークかごしま)" near there. Then, let's casing to Makurazaki(枕崎) city which is city of Bonito fish and traditional distilled liquor Shochu. It is recommended to visit fish market "Makurazaki Osakana Center(枕崎お魚センター)". You can buy their speciality Katsuobushi(dried bonito) there. It is also recommended to eat very fresh bonito as lunch. After that you also can visit "Satsuma Shuzo Distillery Meijigura(薩摩酒造蒸溜所 明治蔵)". It is one of the biggest Shochu distillery and worth to visit. After that, you can drive to Kagoshima city. This area is also well-known as green tea plantation area and you can enjoy driving through green tea farm. We also let you know a secret spot overlooking the magnificent green tea plantations. In addition, there are many flower spots of cherry blossom, azelea and rape blossom in spring and great sand sculputure festival in May. If you will travel in this period, our daily driving map will guide you these spots. It is really worth to see and please priority there.