This section is designed to aid foreigners living in Kagoshima with their daily lives. It is updated regualrly to take into account changes in procedures, times and costs, but always check with the relevant facility to prevent errors.
Kagoshima City is located on the southern tip of the most south western island of Japan, Kyushu. At a latitude of 31 minutes 24 seconds north and 130 minutes and 26 seconds east , Kagoshima City lies in the heart of Kagoshima Prefecture, and covers a total are of 289.54 square kilometres. Most of the land within the city limits is between 100 - 200 metres above sea level and consists primarily of ash, volcanic sand and light volcanic debris.
Sakurajima, an active volcano, lies four kilometres across Kinko Bay. Sakurajima has had over thirty major eruptions in recorded history. The most recent eruption occurred in 1914, which joined the volcanic island permanently to the Osumi peninsula (on the eastern side). The volcano has now become the towering symbol of Kagoshima, and is known throughout Japan.
The perimeter of the volcanic island measures 52km and covers a total area of eighty square kilometres. The volcano consists of three peaks, the northern one, measuring 1117 metres, the central peak, 1060 metres and the southern peak being 1040 metres high. The southern peak is still active and regularly showers the city with ash.
After 93 percent of the city was destroyed in World War Two, a massive rebuilding project began. Forwrd thinking planners made allowances for 50 metre wide streets that are one of the city's great features today. In 1967, Kagoshima City merged with Taniyama City to form one municipal district.
As the prefectural seat, Kagoshima City functions as acentre for politics, economics, education and culture. With a population of over 550,000, it is developing as a core city in southern Kyushu.
Kagoshima Bay, also called Kinko Bay, is actually a volcanic crater and is fed by seven main city rivers. Kinko Bay extends for 20 kilometres between the Satsuma and Osumi peninsulas and about 60 kilometres from north to south. The Black Current swirls into Kinko Bay, providing a sub-tropical climate with warm weather and much rain. The average annual temperature is about 18 (64Fahrenheit ), and the average annual precipitation is 2000 mm, of which the greatest concentration occurs from May to July, the rainy season (tsuyu).
If you are planning on visiting Kagoshima during the summer months, be prepared for some humidity. Autumn and Spring are by far the most beautiful seasons in Kagoshima, providing temperate conditions throughout. Winter is mild compared to the rest of Japan, but nights can be cold.
Kagoshima City's population ranks 19th among the cities of Japan, with a population of 550, 276 people as of November 1997. The city's population accounts for roughly 30% of the total Prefectural population.
As the rest of Japan's citizens continue to age, so too do the people of Kagoshima. Longer life expectancy means that most people can expect to live on another twenty years after retirement. Being a relatively rural population, many young people leave Kagoshima to work in larger cities throughout Japan, thus leaving middle-aged and elderly people behind. Kagoshima has one of the oldest average age of its citizens, and the city undertakes many programs to care for its ageing population.
About 11% of Kagoshima people are over the age of 65 years. The city offers free use of Community Centre facilities, and for those over 70 years of age, free public transportation. There is also a week long Senior Citizens' Festival held annually in early Autumn.
Historically and traditionally, Kagoshima has been influenced by its geographic location, close to both the ocean and Asia. Kagoshima has been a gateway for trade and exchange between Japan and other nations since ancient times, and it was here that the Spanish missionary Francis Xavier first landed, introducing Christianity to Japan in the year 1549.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, Japan shattered the walls that had isolated it from the outside world, and ventured forth. Takamori Saigo and Toshimichi Okubo , who between them built an age of revolution, were born in Kagoshima. Their lives are inseparable from the Shimazu Han of Satsuma.
The lineage of the Shimazu family traces back to Yoritomo Minamoto. Ever since the founder of the line, Tadahisa, was appointed guardian of the three fiefs of Satsuma, Osumi and Hyuga in 1185, the family was centered in southern Kyushu, and produced a succession of brilliant and innovative leaders. The Shimazu Han (fief) remained in power for 686 years, until the end of the han system of administration in 1871.
The first town was founded on the site of a small village in the 14th Century when Lord Shimazu built a castle there. Later, in 1602, the then Lord Shimazu, Iehisa, built Tsurumaru Castle and the town flourished around it as a castle town. Tsurumaru castle was named after its shape, which resembled a crane with wings outstretched.
From the 17th century, the Shogunate had a "locked door" policy which forbade contact with other nations. Despite this, Satsuma ( the present day Kagoshima) continued to trade with China, despatched exchange students to Europe and worked to absorb modern culture.
Nariakira Shimazu , the 28th lord of Satsuma, made a particular contribution to the modernization of Japan through the construction of complex of modern facilities. Called the shuseikan, the industrial complex was built next to his residence in Iso, and astonished both foreigners and the Japanese alike with its advanced technology. In addition to a shipbuilding facility, it also had a reverbatory furnace, a blast furnace, and manufacturing facilities for many types of industrial goods and weaponry.
The youth of Kagoshima were strongly affected by the actions of Lord Shimazu, and many played major roles in the Meiji Restoration. The goju system of education helped mold the young people of the area into strong adults.
Kagoshima has played vital roles in many phases of Japanese history. There are still countless important historical sights throughout the city.
The municipality of Kagoshima was established on the 1st of April, 1889, when just 57,822 people lived within the city limits. The municipal districts of Kagoshima and Taniyama were combined in 1967 to form the administrative district of today.
As of the 1st of April 1996, Kagoshima became a "Core City". There are presently about 660 cities within Japan. Excepting the 12 cities designated by the government, large cities of 500,000 people have the same basic function as cities 1/10th the size.
A "core" or "hub" city, is characterised by having a comparatively larger scale administration and resource base. Cities designated as core cities by the government are able to carry out some of the central functions usually done only at a prefectural level, in order to provide a service which is closer to the people.
Because many decisions regarding the city can now be made by the city, it is hoped that changes benefitting the city will be able to be made more quickly, and with greater sensitivity to the city's needs. Kagoshima's image as a city will also improve with the extra authority it now has.
The basic conditions which a city must satisfy to become a core city are the following:
| The city must have a population greater than 300,000 people. For cities with a population between 300,000 and 500,000 the daytime population must be equal to or greater than the nighttime population. |
| The area of the city must be greater than 100 square kilometers. |
The main functions now available at City Hall that previously were only available at prefectural offices are:
| Welfare services such as nursing facilities, child care, compensation and so on. |
| Health and sanitation services, such as care of pneumonia patients and prematurely born infants. |
| Environmental services, such as pollution control, construction site dust and smoke control etc. |
| Town planning services, such as redevelopment permission, priority housing loan permission, advertising permission, etc. |
| Please note that passport processing is still only available through prefectural offices. |
For more details on which services are now available at City Hall, call (099) 224-1111 for enquiries.
This is the Kagoshima City Emblem. It was chosen through a Kagoshima Citizens' design competition.
This design is based on the emblem of the Satsuma Clan, which was a circle with a cross:
The winning design combined this emblem with the kanji character for city:
. By "bending" the top horizontal stroke of downwards,
and rounding off the two vertical strokes on the lower half of the character, a rounded version resembling the
Satsuma emblem is made. The four points at the top, bottom, left and right extremes of the emblem depict Kagoshima's
continuous progress and outward looking spirit.
This is Kagoshima's City Banner.It was also chosen through a design contest. The banner was created to celebrate the 27th National Athletics Meet held that year in Kagoshima. The banner features the city emblem in the foreground with Sakurajima in the background. Sakurajima, the active volcano located just four kilometers from the city in Kinko Bay, is also often used as a symbol of the city.
Kagoshima Prefecture has its own symbols which are not used in connection with Kagoshima City. These symbols are:
Kagoshima has three sister cities and one friendship city.
The sister cities are:
And the Friendship City is
Satsuma Pottery
There are two types of typical Kagoshima porcelain, dating back about 400 years. The first is White Satsuma, valued for its fine network of cracks and gorgeous paintings and the second is Black Satsuma, known for its durability and plain refined beauty.
Oshima Pongee Fabric
This cloth is made from pure, hand woven silk, which has been dyed according to ancient dyeing techniques from over 1300 years ago. It is famous for its delicate design and light texture.
Satsuma Kiriko
Also known as Satsuma Cut Crystal, is characterized by its vibrant colours- deep red, blue, purple, and yellow. It is famous for its brilliant cut of geometrical patterns which result in unique gradation.
Tin Ware
Kagoshima discovered tin over 450 years ago and it has been used since then to make tea and sake sets.
Take Ware
Kagoshima has an abundant supply of sturdy bamboo and virtually anything can be made from it. Thus you will find a large variety of bamboo products.
Yakusugi
This type of cedar is from Yakushima and is classified by it being 1000 years or older. The wood provides a dense, rot resistant material with a beautiful grain for handicrafts. It is used for anything from furniture to crockery.
LOCAL DISHES
Shochu
It is the liquor made from the sweet potato. You mix it with hot or cold water. It has a taste all of its own.
Kibinago
This is a type of sardine, which is served as sashimi with a vinegar and miso sauce or deep fried as tempura.
Satsumajiru
A miso soup made of chicken, daikon- Japanese radish, carrots and burdock.
Tonkotsu
This is a traditional dish made from the black pigs, which are raised in Kagoshima. Ribs of pork are cut into rough
strips and boiled with miso, konyaku, carrots and gourd.
Sakezushi
Sushi flavored with Japanese sake, an exotic tradition, carried over for 400 years or more.
Satsumaage
Fish paste flavored with salt and sugar and then deep fried. There are many variations and sometimes carrot or
burdock are added.
Tonkotsu Ramen
Also known as Kagoshima ramen, this tasty and filling noodle soup is made from pork and chicken bones.
Satsumaimo Ice-cream
This is an ice cream made from sweet potatoes.
Shirokuma
This is a shaved ice confection made with milk and fruit. It is only available in Kagoshima.
Jambo
Rice cakes skewered by two bamboo sticks, symbolizing the two swords of a samurai.
Of course, one of the more famous of Kagoshima's specialties is
the Hot Springs, with over 200 sources in the city area.
Kagoshima City Tourism Section Hot Spring Information
There is also a Kagoshima Specialty Goods Shop, called the Yurakukan,
which sells various goods made in Kagoshima.