Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県)
Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) is located in the Kyushu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Kagoshima. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Smoking volcano of Sakurajima across the bay (15m ferry), Sengan-en samurai garden, Ibusuki natural volcanic sand baths (Sunamushi), Kirishima Onsen, and UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima.
How to get to Kagoshima Prefecture
1h 25m from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 3h 55m direct from Shin-Osaka on the JR Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura/Mizuho. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Kagoshima
When visiting cities across Kagoshima, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Kagoshima Kurobuta (Berkshire black pork tonkatsu & shabu-shabu)
- Satsuma-age (savory fried fish cakes)
- Kagoshima ramen & Kibinago (silver-stripe round herring sashimi)
- Shirokuma (shaved ice mountain with condensed milk & fruit) & Imo-shochu
Best time to visit Kagoshima
Mild southern climate makes October–May ideal for Sakurajima views, Ibusuki hot-sand baths, and hiking Yakushima's ancient cedar forests.
All 20 cities & municipalities in Kagoshima Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagoshima 鹿児島市 | Core city | 605,196 | 547.06 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Kanoya 鹿屋市 | City | 105,673 | 448.33 km² | City guide → |
| Makurazaki 枕崎市 | City | 24,400 | 74.88 km² | City guide → |
| Akune 阿久根市 | City | 24,166 | 134.30 km² | City guide → |
| Izumi 出水市 | City | 56,851 | 330.06 km² | City guide → |
| Ibusuki 指宿市 | City | 45,455 | 149.01 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Minamisatsuma 南さつま市 | City | 40,386 | 283.35 km² | City guide → |
| Nishinoomote 西之表市 | City | 14,809 | 205.66 km² | City guide → |
| Tarumizu 垂水市 | City | 18,078 | 162.01 km² | City guide → |
| Satsumasendai 薩摩川内市 | City | 100,730 | 683.50 km² | City guide → |
| Hioki 日置市 | City | 51,472 | 253.06 km² | City guide → |
| Soo 曽於市 | City | 41,179 | 390.39 km² | City guide → |
| Ichikikushikino いちき串木野市 | City | 32,079 | 112.04 km² | City guide → |
| Kirishima 霧島市 | City | 127,726 | 603.68 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Shibushi 志布志市 | City | 34,105 | 289.93 km² | City guide → |
| Amami 奄美市 | City | 48,116 | 306.20 km² | City guide → |
| Minamikyūshū 南九州市 | City | 40,891 | 357.85 km² | City guide → |
| Isa 伊佐市 | City | 30,070 | 392.36 km² | City guide → |
| Aira 姶良市 | City | 74,611 | 231.32 km² | City guide → |
| Yakushima 屋久島町 | UNESCO island town | 11,858 | 540.48 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |