Kagoshima, Kyushu
Kagoshima (鹿児島市, Kagoshima-shi?) is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwest tip of the Kyūshū island of Japan, and the largest city in the prefrecture by some margin. It has been nicknamed the ‘Naples of Eastern world’, for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate and impressive stratovolcano, Sakurajima.
The nickname Naples was used because the scenery and climate in Kagoshima is similar to Naples in Italy. There is also another reason why Kagoshima is liked to Naples, the fact that its inhabitants are as relatively hot tempered as the Italians. LOL. Actually, Italians are not hot tempered people, they’re just very passionate. So i think I might like Kagoshima as I LOVE passionate people…people who will tell you if they think you’re full of sh*t. Yes, I like that.
Kagoshima is approximately 40 minutes from Kagoshima Airport, and the city features large shopping districts and malls, is served by trams, and has many restaurants featuring Satsuma regional cuisine: kibi (a kind of tiny fish), tonkatsu (caramelised pork, as opposed to the breaded version encountered elsewhere in Japan), smoked eel, and karukan (sweet cakes made from steamed sweet potatoes and rice flour). A large, modern aquarium has been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano. The Senganen (Isoteien) Japanese garden is just outside the city.
The St. Xavier church is a reminder of the first Christian who came to Japan.
One of the best places to see the city (and the active volcano across the bay),Sakurajima, is from the ferris wheel on top of ‘Amu Plaza’ – the new shopping centre attached to Kagoshima Central Train Station. The wheel has two completely transparent gondola which give a 360 degree view from 91m above the ground.
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