Sakurajima Island View

"A driving view of Sakurajima - Experience an island trip with Sakurajima Island View"

Sakurajima is about a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Kagoshima. The island, where the power of the volcano and the tranquility of the sea coexist, can be quite arduous to get around by car or on foot. The Sakurajima Island View sightseeing bus makes touring Sakurajima both easy and enjoyable. Starting and ending at Sakurajima Port, the bus operates a circular route that passes through the island's main spots, including Sekisui Observation Plaza, Yunohira Observation Point, Sakurajima Visitor Center, and Hinoshima Megumikan. The entire trip takes approximately 60 minutes (around 55 minutes depending on the bus), covering the western part of the island. Unlike route buses up until the 1990s, large vehicles with panoramic windows have been introduced since July 2019. The design eliminates pillars and frames that obstruct the view, providing the luxury of traveling while enjoying an unobstructed view of Sakurajima's mountainside, Kinko Bay, and the scenery on the opposite shore. Additionally, audio guide announcements are played inside the bus, providing commentary on the highlights of each stop, as well as Sakurajima's history and volcanic activity, satisfying your intellectual curiosity.
The appeal of this bus is that you can use a one-day pass to visit sightseeing spots at your own pace, allowing you to get on and off as many times as you like. Tickets are reasonably priced at 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children, and come with discounts on the Sakurajima Ferry and other services.

• Sekisui Observation Plaza (Portrait of the Scream)
  This square is home to the "Portrait of a Scream," a monument commemorating the all-night live performance of musician Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi. It's a great spot to take photos of the contrast between the scenery of Kinko Bay and the opposite shore and the monument.

• Yunohira Observatory Located at an altitude of 373m, this observation point offers a 360-degree view of the Sakurajima summit, Kagoshima city, and the opposite shore. It is popular as the "highest" observation spot on the island.

• Sakurajima Visitor Center A facility where you can learn about Sakurajima's geology and volcanic history through dioramas, exhibits, and an information corner. It is also a convenient base for tourist commentary.

• Hinoshima Megumikan This facility is equivalent to a roadside station. It offers Sakurajima's agricultural products and local specialties, a restaurant, a souvenir corner, and more. It's the perfect base for exploring.

• Karasujima Observatory This is an observation point overlooking the area of ​​Karasujima, which was once off the coast of Sakurajima and was covered in lava in the Taisho eruption. This is a spot where you can feel the changes in Sakurajima's topography.

In this way, not only can you get around efficiently by bus, but you can also spend time at your favorite places. You can enjoy the scenery from both a "running" and "walking" perspective, depending on your travel style.

Usage points and precautions

• Number of trips and times : 15 trips per day. Routes A and B alternate, with trips departing Sakurajima Port often departing at 00 and 30 minutes past the hour.

• Fares and tickets One-way fares are 230 yen for adults and 120 yen for children. A one-day pass (unlimited hop-on and hop-off) is 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. It comes with a ferry discount, so it's best to buy it before boarding the ferry.

• Barrier-free: Vehicles equipped with a ramp at the middle door are wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchairs that cannot be secured or have a special shape may not be accessible.

• Boarding and alighting locations and directions Note: Bus stop locations and routes may change, so please check the bus stop map and official information.

• Pay attention to weather and visibility conditions. On sunny days, the slanting light in the morning or evening enhances the view of the scenery. On the other hand, visibility may be reduced on rainy or cloudy days.

• Plan your schedule so that you have time to get off and explore along the way. Don't miss the first train that will take you back to the beginning.

Sakurajima Island View is a magical route that transforms your Sakurajima sightseeing into a "one-bus experience." Even without a car, you can efficiently travel between the bases of the island, enjoying the dignified volcanic landscape, the serene bay scenery, and the island's history. When visiting Sakurajima, be sure to take this bus and experience both the "visual scenery and the walking scenery."