Kagoshima Private & Custom Tour (with Licensed Guide and Vehicle)
cost
Starting from 95,000 yen per group (maximum 1 person)
Note *1: The above prices are in Japan. Please select your country and currency when applying and confirm the cost.
overview
This is a fully customized private tour of Kagoshima, tailored exclusively for your group. The itinerary is tailored to your interests and pace, and you won't be paired with other groups. An English-speaking guide and a government-certified vehicle are provided. We can coordinate multiple licensed guides and vehicles depending on the group size and requirements, flexibly accommodating families, seniors, and large groups. Pick-up and drop-off locations are flexible, including ports, hotels, and train stations. At the meeting point, a staff member will be waiting holding a sign bearing your name, making it easy to meet up even in unfamiliar locations. You can contact us via Viator message or WhatsApp before and during the tour. Domestic travel accident insurance is included, and complimentary mineral water is provided. If additional costs are incurred, a detailed estimate will be provided in advance, and payment by credit card is required at the end of the tour.
Note*1: Please select your desired tourist spots from the list in the tour information and create your own itinerary.
Note *2: To obtain the nationally certified guide-interpreter qualification issued by the Japanese government, you must have sufficient knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
What's Included
- Customizable tour with 2-3 stops selected from a "What to expect" list
- travel insurance
- -conditioned vehicle
- Other personal expenses
- Meals for yourself, the guide and the driver
- Tip
itinerary
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1
Senganen
Sengan-en is a magnificent Japanese-style mansion and garden located along the coast north of central Kagoshima City. Built in 1658 as one of the residences of the powerful Shimazu clan, Sengan-en is a distinctive feature of the garden, incorporating the active volcano Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay as backdrops. The 50,000-square-meter garden features a tranquil pond, a babbling brook, a mystical shrine, bamboo groves, and hiking trails. Pray for beauty at Tsurugane Shrine or for the health and longevity of your feline friends at the unique Cat Shrine. This sprawling estate offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of one of Japan's most influential feudal lords, hosting guests such as King Edward VIII of England and Nicholas II of Russia. Explore the lord's rooms where he spent his daily life and enjoy the samurai-style garden and the views beyond.
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2
Shoko Shuseikan
Former Shuseikan Machine Workshop (Shoko Shuseikan) The oldest existing Western-style factory building in Japan. Currently exhibiting exhibits from the Satsuma Domain's modernization project.
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3
Sand Bath Hall Saraku
Hot Sand Baths are one of the most unique natural health and beauty treatments in the world today. A favorite of locals for over 350 years, sand baths have been shown to detoxify the body and improve circulation, three to four times more effectively than traditional hot springs. Lying on the hot sand with the sounds of the ocean in the background is a moment of relaxation you won't soon forget, leaving you refreshed, mind and body refreshed, and smiling.
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4
Chiran Special Attack Peace Hall
Chiran Special Attack Peace Hall (Chiran Special Attack Peace Hall): A testament to the importance of world peace. The Chiran Special Attack Peace Hall collects, preserves, and exhibits the personal effects, wills, and documents left behind by members of the Army Special Attack Forces in order to pass on the true story to future generations and pray for lasting world peace. They were killed in the Battle of Okinawa at the end of the Greater East Asia War (later known as the Pacific War after the R&W). Each farewell letter and personal item on display conveys the absurdity of war and the feelings of the pilots, reminding us of the importance of peace, life, and family ties. Chiran was the site of an Army special attack base during the final days of the Pacific War. The Chiran Special Attack Peace Hall collects, preserves, and exhibits valuable records and materials, including portraits and personal effects of the war dead.
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5
Chiran Samurai Residence Site
Chiran Samurai Residences: Chiran, also known as the "Little Kyoto of Satsuma," was home to over 500 samurai residences during the late Edo period (19th century). The complex's original buildings are well preserved, allowing visitors to witness an authentic Edo-period samurai settlement. The charm of the Chiran Samurai Residences lies in its 700-meter stone-walled pathways, dotted with samurai residences and beautifully landscaped gardens. Built with defensive purposes in mind, the pathways are neither too wide nor too narrow, with numerous corners and bends to reduce visibility (for potential intruders). Furthermore, hedges (behind the stone walls of the houses) are pruned to allow those inside the houses to see outside, but not vice versa. This allows for the use of arrows and spears to ambush intruders without revealing one's position.
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6
Mars Tsunuki Distillery
At Mars Tsunuki Distillery, the southernmost whiskey distillery in Japan, you can tour the old distillation tower and stone barrel warehouse, as well as observe the manufacturing process and learn about the history of sake brewing at Honbo Shuzo. At the former Honbo Family Guest House "Hojo," built in 1933, you can enjoy the Japanese house and garden, which changes appearance with the seasons and the day. Whisky and shochu tastings are available for a fee. The gift shop sells alcohol, carefully selected original products, and local specialties. Tastings are not included.