Enjoy walikng around in Kirishima

From kareigawa station,

you can get a bus running around the major spots

such as ryokans, Japanese style inn and hot sporings.

Our terget spot is one of them,

ISHIHARASO

As soon as you get off the bus,

you will find what a clean air is! 

Before going to the inn,

let's walk around.

I have heard that there is something interesting nature spots.

This trail made me remind of TOTORO world.

It leads us to...

    ??Shrine??

 Do you have any idea about what is going on behind the gate...?

It actually is...

   CAVE!!!!painted colorfully.

It is called "cave of Kumaso, natives of this area"

It is chilly inside.

A clean river running near the Ishiharaso.

Enjoy dynamic and feel nature hearing the river sounds.

Tarain travel to Kirishima with "Hayato-no-kaze"

Train travel makes ,feel somehow fresh and excited for me,

Because in Kagoshima, train travel is not so popular than European countries I guess.

Today, we are going to Kirishima in Kagoshima

one of the famouse area for its beautiful nature and hot springs in Japan.  

  

The train we rode is not usual one.

It's name is "Hayato-no-Kaze", black and letro style.

It costs a little bit higher than local train.

 

You need to get two type of tickets.

One is usual ticket, 820 yen and

the other is limited express ticket, 500 yen.

So total: 1,320 yen.

The moment you get on the train,

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　you can see how different to usual ones.

 The interrior is wooden simple style

with large windows.

                                                Enjoy beautiful sceneries from windows.



 Shaved ice with kinds of fruits Shirokuma is sold in the train

as well as chips, beer, soft drinks:)

This ice is Kagoshoma original one,

Try it! Feel summer of Kagoshima!

 About 40 minutes after,

the train arived Kareigawa station.

here is the oldest station in Japan.

It has loooong history,

and interesting is no staff is there.

but the station is clean, and well-kept.

 

 

This station is a kind of sight seeing spot,

so the train stays there for about 10 minutes.

Passengers can get off and see around.

Taking a such phote is available.

Enjoy! but be careful, the train will leave after 10 munitus:)

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;)