Kaseda beach in Kagshima

NOW Kagoshima is in the middle of rainy season.

Usually it begins on June. Rain rain rain...sun? no soon after rain again!

Tough this season makes us stock indoors, I still like it:) 

The smell and the sound of raining makes me feel comfortable.

And after raining season, summer is coming!!!!
This is a bit earlier, but I will show you a beach in Kaseda,

southern part of Kagoshima.

Driving on the coast feeling nice sea breeze! 

 

 Art on the sand :D Lol

 They are called "KAME no TE" means turtle hands.

actually it is kinds of shellfish.

I just can't wait the blue sky, HOT season!!!!X)

Satsuma Kiriko Cut-Glass-traditional craft of Kagoshima-

Satsuma cut glass is one of the famous traditional crafts.

Currently 8 colors of the cut glass are in production. 

Especially, 紅-beni: vermilion color had been very regarded

 because only this factory could produce that color at the Edo period,

 age of Shimadzu Nariakira.      

 The gradation called “bokashi” is the most distinctive feature of it.

 Such beautiful key chains are available as well:)

 You can see the manufacturing process up close in this factory.

It is located in the same area of sengan-en in Kagoshima City.

Satsuma cut glass is made from layers glasses,

 clear glass inside, and colored glass outside. 

As cutting the colored glass you can make the graduation.

Explore the history of Kagoshima City①

Kagoshima City provides some tours 

to explore the historic sights

It is called "Kagoshima burari machiaruki".

These tours are guided by the local  volunteer stuff. 

Not only tourists but also many local people 

who are interested in the history of Kagoshima.   

Today, we joined the course 

"Tentatively listed as a World Heritage Site! 

Walk around the modern industrial heritage sites

developed by Shimadzu Nariakira,

 the father who adopted Princess Atsuhime"

The tour began in front of Sengan-en,

former villa for Shimadzu family-load of Kagoshima- 

and the one of the most popular tourist sight. 

Yes, it is the tentatively listed as a World Heritage Site.

This tour doesn't include Sengan-en tough ;P

Around it there are a lots of sights that have historical value.   

Turugane Shrine

located next to the Senganen.

This shrine is dedicated to 

the successive heads of the household Shimadzu and their families.

You can see the marks of cross in the circle.

That is the crest of the Shimadzu Family.

 Here is the holy space, for people to purify their selves

as washing your both hands and rinsing your mouse. 

 It is one of the popular tourist spot, calm and quiet atmosphere.

I found this is my most favorite shrine ever.

Shoko Shuseikan Museum (Main buildind)

This museum  is former machinery factory,

 which tells the history and culture of Shimadzu family.

It is constructed by Shimadzu Tadayoshi, the 29^th household

and also tentatively listed as a World Heritage Site.

Its name "Shoko Shuseikan" is writtenfrom right to left.

Nowadays when writing horizontally, 

it goes from left to right.

It used to be written from right to left 

just as same as when writing vertically.

 The part of  front gate was added more than 50 years 

after the building was constructed first time.

Here you can see the differences.

The left part is new.

More fine-textured with the rise of technology.

As is made of stone, it is otherwise known as “Stone Home”.

*The museum is required an entrance fee: 1,000 yen 

(including Garden tour of Sengan-en).

Shoko Shuseikan Museum (Special building)

This museum holds temporary exhibitions.

"SENGOKU-SHIMADZU~the Age of Civil Wars~" is currently exhibit. 

to Jul 21.

Here is the website in both Japanese and English,

please check here if you want more info;)

Samurai houses @ Chiran

According to its historic scenery of Samurai houses in Chiran,

it is said that "Small Kyoto in Satsuma-today's Kagoshima-"

It is designated as a "Histric Preservation Districts" 

by the national government.

And chosen as  one of  the 100 best roads of japan

 by the Ministry of Land, as well.

The interesting is here is not just a tourist spot

but people still live there while doing maintenance their house and the garden.

Therefore tourists can enjoy the garden and the appearance of the house

 but not be able to enter the house.

This area was used to take a role

 as a hub port for the trade with Rukyu-today's Okinawa-, 

the houses are influenced a lot by Ryukyu style.

These houses were the residence of upper-ranking samurai warriors.

According to the unique idea "People are the stronghold of the castle",

there were 113 area called "tojo" in Kagoshima in Edo period.

"Tojo" is written "外城"　in Japanese meaning "outside of the main castle" .

 Even the vending machine, it tried to be OLD ;)

Seven Garden in the area are designated 

as "Scenic Gardens" by the Japanese government.

◆Adnission: Adults: 500yen/ Children: 300yen

◆Open from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

◆Open year round 

The Garden of Mr. MORI Shigemitsu.

 This is the only garden in Chiran with a pond.

 Sakurajima Mikans tree.

 Rest room

Kura: storage

Garden of Ms. SATA Tamiko 

Restaurant "Takian" 

where serves local cuisine.
Link to "Takian"

 

The entrance to the restaurant.

 in Korean

in Chinese

”Only people who have a meal can enter."

House with steep raftered roofs
The space is used for the group.

 Well

Rest spot

Garden of Mr. SAIGO Keiichiro

 You can feel free to try them:)
But please be careful, they are heavy!!

The area is like as if an another world.

260 year-old beautiful gardens will take you back to the olden days

just like Time Machine ;)