From tidal flats, to the deep sea! How to enjoy the variety of [Kinko Bay]

A variety of attractions [Kinko Bay]

The symbol of Kagoshima Prefecture is “Sakurajima”. Not only for tourists, but also people living in Kagoshima think this way. The active volcano floating on the ocean seems to be one reason, but did you know that it was actually “Kinkowan”?

The symbol behind the Kinko Bay’s “Sakurajima” and Sakurajima Ferry.

Kinko Bay and Kagoshima Bay, a sea sandwiched between two peninsulas; projecting south from Kagoshima Prefecture. Yet Kinko Bay is not just a supplement for Sakurajima. Especially since the back of Sakurajima, there are some very rare geographical features and precious nature. This attracts attention from many people, including experts. As a result of these highly praised points, the Kinko Bay’s back was added in March 2012, as part of the Kirishima Kinko Bay National Park.

Kinko Bay was born from a huge eruption. 

Looking at the bottom of Kinko Bay from a map or satellite photo, you can see that it is generally round. Actually, the back of Kinko Bay has the same “caldera” as Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture. A huge eruption about 30,000 years ago caused the ground to collapse greatly. As a result, seawater flowed into the 20 km diameter caldera, forming the back of Kinko Bay. This terrain is called, “sea caldera” and is very rare worldwide.

The inner part of Kinko Bay is a huge caldera.

The caldera at the back of Kinko Bay is mostly filled with seawater, but part of the caldera topography is still left on land. Part of it is a steep cliff that follows the coastline from the north of Kagoshima City, to the back of the bay. This is near the top of the caldera wall (caldera side). At the end of Kinko Bay, off the coast of Kirishima City, three small islands called, “Hayato Santo”; which are said to be the remnants of the caldera wall that are floating.If you want to see the caldera wall with your own eyes, please visit the Tennouji Observatory in Sakurajima.

Caldera wall looking down from Yunohira Observatory.

From shallow tideland, to the deep sea. 

One of the unusual features of Kinko Bay, is that it has both a tidal flat and access to the deep sea.
It is not unusual for a tidal flat to form in the back of the bay where the waves are calm. There are also tidal flats in the back of Tokyo Bay and the Ariake Sea. However, the back of Kinko Bay is a caldera landmass. Originally, most of the coastline was a caldera wall, and there were few shallows where sediments carried by rivers and tides were deposited. However, as a result of the rivers carrying the earth and sand for tens of thousands of years, a vast tidal flat was formed in Kinko Bay.
At present, the largest tidal flat in Kinko Bay is Shigetomi Higata, a 20-minute drive from Kagoshima City. The tidal flat, which covers up to 300,000 square meters (more than 6 Tokyo Domes) at low tide. Not only does it maintain the water quality and ecosystems of Kinko Bay, but it is also popular as a place of leisure. 

A vast tidal flat appears at low tide

On the other hand, the “depth” of Kinko Bay is a feature not seen in other bays. For example, the average depth of water in the inner bay of Tokyo Bay is 15m. On the other hand, the average water depth in the inner part of Kinko Bay is 70m; and there are some deep waters exceeding 200m deep off the coast of Kirishima City and Tarumi City.
In addition, there is an active underwater volcano off the coast of Wakamiko in Kirishima City, where volcanic gases are always blowing out. The appearance of bubbles rising on the surface of the sea is called “Tagiri” among local fishermen. By the way, in the vicinity of underwater volcanoes, deep sea surveys are also being conducted by scientists about a rare creature, called “Satsuma Aorimushi”. It uses hydrogen sulfide, a volcanic gas, as an energy source. 

Diving used for deep sea exploration.

Kinko Bay is the sea of life.

Kinko Bay is a “sea of life” for the Kagoshima people. For example, the “Sakurajima Ferry” operates between Kagoshima Port and Sakurajima Port in Kagoshima City, but passengers are mainly local Kagoshima citizens. It is mainly used for commuting, attending school and shopping.
That's why the fare is ‪200 yen one way‬, and it's as cheap as a local bus. There are coupons and commuter passes available too. Of course, it operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, unless the sea is unstable due to a typhoon.

Sakurajima Ferry is also used as a hub for commuting. 

Kinko Bay has been used as a valuable fishing ground since ancient times. Aquaculture is especially popular in Kinko Bay. Yellowtail and amberjack, grown in Kinko Bay, are shipped throughout the country and are special products of Kagoshima Prefecture.
In addition, it is said that a precious shrimp called, “Namikuda Beard Shrimp”, which lives in the deep sea in the tropical zone, is also rare.

There is a lot of aquaculture in the back of Kinko Bay. 

[Experience the charm of Kinko Bay]

The best way to experience the charm of Kinko Bay, is to actually go to Kinko Bay and work your senses. Here are two recommended spots where you can easily enjoy Kinko Bay.

1. Take back a memory of Kinko Bay with their “Boardwalk”.

Relaxing while feeling the sea breeze.

There is a “Boardwalk” (a.k.a Shiokaze Street), at the north pier of Kagoshima Port. There are: benches, tables, flower beds, etc. The boardwalk is about 240m long, and is ideal for relaxing while feeling the sea breeze. If you wave your hand at the Sakurajima Ferry, backpackers from overseas will look back, they might wave too.There is a white and lovely lighthouse at the tip of the boardwalk. Unfortunately, you can't go inside, but it is also recommended to take a commemorative photo with the lighthouse and Sakurajima in the background.

The boardwalk is a place for citizens and tourists to relax.

The boardwalk area is full of peaceful scenery, but the beginning of Kinko Bay that dates back to the Edo period is still preserved.
For example, at the end opposite to the lighthouse, an old stone pavement protrudes from the ground.Interestingly enough, this is the remains of a wharf called, “Shinhato”; built in the Edo period. The new wharf used to protect the town from the high waves, was also used as a military base for the Satsuma clan. In 1863, there was a record that shells were actually fired, and that they damaged British warships.

A trace of a wharf that was built about 150 years ago.

A part of the area where the new wharf remains, is protected and exhibited as, "Kagoshima Old Port Facility". Not only were there quay in the Edo period, but also the “Icchodaiba” built some in the early Meiji period, and the “breakwater” built around the end of the Meiji. Some of the piled stones are carved with the names of the masons involved in the construction.

The names of the masons carved in the stone.

2. Take a walk by the sea on Yorimichi Cruise

Sakurajima Ferry

Another recommendation is, "Yorimichi Cruise" of Sakurajima Ferry. You can enjoy a cruise experience that differs from the usual Sakurajima Ferry for just 600 yen. Normally, Sakurajima Ferry travels in a straight line for 15 minutes from Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima Port, but for more cruises, after leaving Kagoshima Port, it takes about 50 minutes to go to Sakurajima Port from the Kagoshima city area to Sakurajima area.
This is especially recommended for people who want to take a closer look at Sakurajima from the sea before sightseeing.

By the way, the regular Sakurajima ferry is paid at the ferry terminal in Sakurajima Port, but be aware that more Miru Cruises will be processed at Kagoshima Port.

Go south between Kagoshima city and Sakurajima.

From the deck, you can get a close-up view of Kamize, where a lighthouse floats on the sea; and Okomashima, south of Sakurajima. If you are lucky, you might be able to encounter wild dolphins that chase the ferry.When you pass through Kamize, Okinoshima, Sakurajima lava fields, etc., you will receive an audio guide that introduces their origins and features. There are also volunteer guides on board, so if you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask.

Deck binoculars can be used for free.

Binoculars are also installed on the deck of the Sakurajima Ferry. There is a coin slot, but it is actually free. Please feel free to enjoy the highlights of Kinko Bay.

Nagisa Museum, to deepen the understanding of Kinko Bay.

The back of Kinko Bay is an important part of the national park. 

You may want to learn more about Kinko Bay if you actually take a walk around, or take a ferry and actually get to know its charm. Please come to the museum where you can learn more about Kinko Bay, which is full of natural charm.

I would like to recommend the Nagisa Museum on Shigetomi Beach. This is a facility managed by the Ministry of the Environment, as one of the visitor centers in Kirishima Kinkowan National Park.

The Nagisa Museum in the pine forest along the coast.

In the wood-based facilities, there are panels that explain the origins of Kinko Bay, the creatures that live there, and the role of tidal flats. A model of the inner part of Kinko Bay, a cross-sectional model of a tidal flat, and a water tank are also installed, allowing you to observe the living creatures in Kinko Bay.

Models, panels, and aquariums are exhibited in the hall. 

In the corner where various pamphlets are placed, you can gather information on the back of Kinko Bay and its surroundings. The “NPO Kusuki Nature Museum”, which operates the facility, organizes events such as nature observation events and learning events related to Kinko Bay.

Various information on the back of Kinko Bay is available.

Shigetomi Tidal Flat is in front of Nagisa Museum. During low tide, the tide will go far, so please try walking to touch the flat. By the way, the tidal flats behind Kinko Bay are made of sand. You won’t sink in the mud like the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea, in Saga Prefecture.

The Shitomi mudflat spreads out in front of Nagisa Museum.

See the fish in Kinko Bay at, ”Io World Kagoshima Aquarium”.

If you want to see the fish in Kinko Bay, visit Io World Kagoshima Aquarium. In addition to the shallow water in Kinko Bay, there is a corner that reproduces the state of the deep sea and coral reefs, so you can observe the scenery that you can't usually see. There is also an exhibition of the living “Satsuma Haorimushi”.

Kagoshima Aquarium Exhibits the Ecology of Kinko Bay.

The waterway between the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal and Kagoshima's old port facility, also known as “Kaisuichi”, is connected to the Kagoshima Aquarium. Here, dolphins are regularly trained and fed. Anyone can freely observe the process. This is the only place where you can watch dolphins jumping outdoors in the city!

You can see dolphins training along the waterway beside the promenade.

The Iruka water channel, "blue sky “ dolphin watching.
Date:‪Mon-Fri‬: ‪10:30 am‬/‪12:30 pm‬/ ‪2:30pm‬.
Saturdays/Sundays/national holidays/summer/etc. ‪11:30am‬/‪1:30 pm‬/ ‪3:00pm‬.
If you want to learn about Kinko Bay, you can't miss Sakurajima in the middle of Kinko Bay. Since 1964, Sakurajima has become a part of the national park, and the “Sakurajima Visitor Center” , is located near the ferry terminal (Sakurajima Port). Not to mention, models and panels that introduce Sakurajima's features and history, but you must see the powerful eruption images that you don’t get to see everyday!

If you are interested in Sakurajima, visit the Sakurajima Visitor Center

Let's go to see the charm of Kinko Bay!

Kinko Bay is a tourist spot that most visitors to Kagoshima visit. However, Jinjiang Bay, is also packed with nature and history that can only be seen here. Please pay attention to Kinko Bay as one of the highlights of Kagoshima sightseeing!