Nanshu Shrine and Cemetery

The steps take you to....

....Yes! this is the entrance to the holy world.

 Tori Gate of Nanshu Shrine.

The shrine is surrounded by greenery
and have a beautiful view of Sakurajima :)

Next to the shrine, there is Nanshu Cemetery.

 

 Seinan Civil War (the Satsuma Rebellion) officers and soldiers are lied at rest in the cemetery.

.

Saigo Takamori lies buried here.

  

Quaint Telephon box ,

the arms of Shimadzu Family, the load of simbleof Satsuma is printed.

You can access there by Kagoshima City View Bus,

get off at the Nanshu koen iriguchu-mae stop :) 

Iwagawa YAGORO-don

It is getting warm, here in Kagoshima!

I can feel spring around the corner :)

I will show you the attractive places of Osumi Peninsula, the right side of Kagoshima prefecture.

Iwagawa in Soo City.  Iwagawa is famous for Yagoro-don, who is the Giant in legend.

Yagoro-don lights and watches for the safe of town.

They show us the famous products here.

Beef, Pork, Chicken and vegitables....wow...so many!

Michinoeki-the restspot called "おおすみ弥五郎伝説の里 (Osumi Yagoro densetsu-no-sato)" has hot spring, local product exhibition hall, restaurant and .....

The statue of Yagoro-don!

Now you can see how big it is! 

 

Surprising is, he is famous not only among local peole, but also in Spain!

Statue of Yagoro-don crossed the sea to attend "AMICS DELS GEGANTS" in Spain.

He is an international giant :)

 

Though it is a bit earlier to enjoy waching cherry blossom in full bloom,

it must be so beautiful!!!!

If you want more infomation about Yagoro-san,

go to this site (Japanese)

http://www41.tok2.com/home/kanihei5/yagorou.html

http://www12.synapse.ne.jp/osumikita/yagorou/yagorou.html

Yamakataya Department Store

Yamakataya department,

The most famous department for people in Kagoshima.

 The lit up building makes us feel, somehow, the medieval Europe.

The entrance hall, paople can enjoy the change of the seasons.

 Brochure in English/ Traditional Chinese/ Korean is available.  

 You can get everything here, from groceries to kimono or formal dress.

On the top floor (7th floor of Main Blds.), there are also restaurants.
(http://www.yamakataya.co.jp/berg/tenpo.htm)

ATMs ashing advance is satisfactory.
It is also available to excange here, (5th floor of Main Bld.) from USD to JPY.

Enjoy shopping~♪

This is the season to welcome the cruise ship to Kagosima!
@ Marine Port

"NAUTICA", on the way from Guam to Nagasaki

Welcoming ceremony,
Japanese drums with the traditional style

"Tengu", a character from the legend.

The atmosphere of Marine Port was filled with the exciting feelings!

Hope they like Kagoshima and see them someday :)

My favorite scene of SAKURAJIMA

Sakurajima is an active volcano, and one of the symbols of Kagoshima. 

Kagoshima people love Sakurajima even if its ash bothers us with even taking looooong time to clean up,

we still <3 it

We got on the tour bus named Kagoshima City View with my camera.

Actually it was my first time to ride it.

I was getting to so excited just like I was one of the REAL tourists.

The inside of the Kagoshima City View is retro as well as its appearance.

Isn’t it so cool?

Our destination is Shiroyama Observation Point.

Shiroyama is very important place in history as this area was once the battle field of Seinan War.

Also please keep in mind that Sakurajima seen from there is said to be the most beautiful one!


This is it!!!

                  

After that, we went to the waterfront zone, Dolphin Port.

You can see the beautiful Sakurajima as well. It looks closer.

Can you see the ferry on the left of the picture?

It takes only 15 minutes by ferry from here to Sakurajima.

 

☆p.s.☆

These are FREE GIFT from Sakurajima.

It is one of the unique and interesting cultures of Kagoshima. People gather up and store the fall ash.

The track comes to collect these yellow plastic bags a couple of days after Sakurajima erupted.

Awwww this is what we get annoyed…:P

 

                                                  

Information

▼Kagoshima City View

http://www.kotsu-city-kagoshima.jp/modules/pico/index.php?content_id=17

▼Ferry schedule 

http://www.sakurajima-ferry.jp/

 

 

Terukuni Shrine

Terukuni Shrine, located in the center of Kagoshima City.
If you want to feel "very Japanese" or have a Japanese experience, I will recommend you to visit there :)


This is called Tori Gate, it is the entrance to the sacred world.
Let's go through it!

 When you enter the shrine, you may notice this first...
Can you guess what it is...??

It is the Podocarpus macrophyllus shaped of symmetrical crane.
Crane is the symbol of the Shimadzu Nariakira, who was the 28th load of Kagoshima and
Terukuni shrine is dedicated to him.

Before going in front of the worship hall, you are requested to purify yourself using these ladles.
Wash your hands then lince your mouth.

Though the first three days of the year are the most crowded time.


Of course you can visit the shrine anytime!

  

The location is very good, in the center of Kagoshima City, so it is easy to access :)