Sakurajima Island: Feel the Earth's Billow at Kagoshima's Iconic Volcano

Sakurajima: an Icon of Kagoshima

Sakurajima has various identities ― it is simultaneously known as “a the single peak mountain floating in the sea”, “a the volcano that erupts almost everyday”, “the producer of the world’s largest daikon radish and the world’s smallest mandarin orange” and “a symbol of Kagoshima and a major tourism resource.”

Kagoshima’s iconic Sakurajima

Despite this, Sakurajima isn’t well-known in other parts of Japan. Many people consider Sakurajima as a dangerous volcano, based on snippets of news and other media reportings. However, Sakurajima actually has plenty of appeal as a spot where one can safely experience the Earth’s powerful respirations.  
 

Is Sakurajima an island?

Outside of Kagoshima Prefecture, many people mistake Sakurajima for an island because of its name meaning “sakura island (桜島)”. The southwestern part of Sakurajima connects with the Osumi Peninsula, technically making all of Sakurajima also a peninsula. This begs the question: why is the Japanese word for island（島）used in Sakurajima’s name?
 

Sakurajima ― now a land-connected island (photo from Sakurajima Visitor Center exhibit)

Until about a century from now, the currently land-connected area was a 400 m wide and 100 m deep channel named Seto Kaikyo. The channel transformed into its current state after being filled with volcanic rock in the aftermath of January 1914’s massive eruption of Sakurajima (the Taisho eruption).
The eastern Kurokami district was buried in two meters of volcanic ash and pumice. Volcanic ash is said to have reached parts of the Tohoku region in Japan’s north, and even the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far east.

People Live on Sakurajima

Visitors from outside Kagoshima Prefecture are often surprised when I tell them that people live on Sakurajima. This may be because of Sakurajima’s reputation as a repeatedly erupting active volcano. 

In fact, about 4000 residents live in Sakurajima and have access to prefecture-managed housing, private houses, hotels, a hospital, supermarkets, and even convenience stores. People often ask if Sakurajima is a safe place to live. Residents say they aren’t worried, as the island has reliable monitoring systems and eruption forecasts. 
Sakurajima is a safe place where residents can go about their daily lives, which also makes it a safe travel destination. 

Sakurajima’s prefecture-managed housing and roads

Experience Sakurajima with all Five Senses

While Sakurajima is “an island for living” for its residents, it is also an extraordinary “attraction” for travelers. Sakurajima is a rare example in Japan, and even worldwide, as an active volcano that not only locates less than 10 km away from Kagoshima’s city center, but also houses a sizeable population of residents in its eruption zone.
Overseas tourists carrying backpacks are spotted almost daily near the ferry terminal that links with Sakurajima. 
Let’s now take a look at places where first-timers can enjoy Sakurajima’s appeal to the fullest. The Kagoshima-based writer presents you with 5 recommendable spots to visit around Sakurajima.

Sakurajima, an unusual place even on global terms

1. Enjoy foot bathing at “Sakurajima Yo-gan Nagisa Park”

Volcanoes often come with hot springs, but a full-on Japanese hot spring may be slightly intimidating for a passing tourist. Greatly recommendable for those tourists, is the foot bath. Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park, which is about a 10-minute walk from Sakurajima Ferry Terminal, boasts one of Japan’s largest foot baths that measures 100 m in length. Soak your feet in the lukewarm water as you take in the view of Kinko Bay and recover from travel fatigue. 
If you forget to bring a towel, you can purchase towels featuring original designs at Sakurajima Visitor Center (¥500）and Kokumin Shukusha Rainbow Sakurajima (¥200). They both stand next to the park. 

100m long foot bath

After the foot bath, challenge yourself to a 3-km walking trail. The trail offers a contrasting view of rocky lava and vast Kinko Bay, that evokes the landscape of the primitive Earth. 

Walking trail stretches across the lava fields

2. Full view of the city from Yunohira Observatory

Yunohira Observatory is a breathtaking vantage point also recommended by many local residents. The observatory stands on the 4th station of Sakurajima’s Mount Kitadake (northern mountain) at 373 m above sea level, and is the highest point accessible to visitors. Seen in front from here is the Kinko Bay and the Kagoshima City area, and right behind is the rugged face of Sakurajima’s towering rocks.

Yunohira Observatory stands at an altitude of 373 m

Yunohira Observatory is about a 15-minute drive from the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. The easiest way to reach here is to take the Sakurajima Island View loop bus. If you can catch it at the right timing, you You can also hop on a regular sightseeing bus operated by the city. It is also an option to rent a car on the island, or rent one elsewhere and bring it with you on the ferry to Sakurajima, so look for the option that best suits you. 

Mount Kitadake flaunts jagged slopes

3.Walk through the lava fields at Arimura Lava Observatory 

Arimura Lava Observatory has a 360-degrees panoramic view of the relatively recent lava that flowed out during the 1914 eruption. Sakurajima’s still-active crater on the southern peak (Mount Minami-dake) lies right in front. The greatest feature of this site is its up-close dynamic view of the vapor and smoke spurting out from the large depression on the slope. 

Arimura Lava Observatory entrance

Arimura Lava Observatory stands in southern Sakurajima, which is about a 20-minute drive from the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. Public transport options are limited to sightseeing buses and fixed-route bus services, both operated by the city. For tourists, this This makes it a bit of a challenge trying to get around. For those who wish to take their time at the observatory, It may be worth considering renting a car. 

Lava that flowed out in the 1914 eruption (Taisho eruption)

4.Behold the Kurokiami Maibotsu Torii gate, buried in the massive Taisho eruption 

Kurokami Maibotsu Torii gate and signboard

The Kurokami Maibotsu Torii (Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate) is an essential stop when it comes to tracing the damage caused by the Taisho eruption. Behind the signboard, there’s a mini-sized torii gate that appears to be a meter tall at first glance. This torii gate was originally 3m high, but 2m of volcanic ashes and rocks piled up after the Taisho eruption, leaving the gate in its current state. 

Only a meter of the gate’s upper beams show above the ground

The Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate is about a 25-minute drive from the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. Access is typically via public transport, with the city-operated sightseeing bus or fixed-route bus, or with a rented car.

5. Feast on local ingredients at Sakurajima Hinoshima Megumi-kan 

Sakurajima boasts two local specialties that have been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. 
Sakurajima daikon is the world’s largest daikon radish, and Sakurajima ko-mikan is the world’s smallest mandarin orange. Sakurajima-ko-mikan have a sweet taste and intense aroma, and are addictively delicious. The Sakurajima daikon is low in fiber and has a fine texture, making it perfect for simmered dishes.

Both can be sampled at the roadside station Sakurajima Hinotori Megumi-kan. 

Hinoshima Megumi-kan is a great pleace to savor Sakurajima’s blessings

The most popular item ― “Sakurajima daikon miso-zuke” (radish pickled in miso soybean paste) ― and the tourist favorite “Sakurajima ko-mikan soft cream” (soft serve ice cream) can be purchased inside the site. Sakurajima is also home to many other varieties of citruses, such as gokuwase mikan, or “early mandarin oranges”. What about getting some as travel snacks?
 

Many types of citrus fruits are grown in Sakurajima

Two facilities to better understand Sakurajima 

The number of Sakurajima eruptions are updated in real-time (photo of Sakurajima Visitor Center)

An itinerary of simply touring the major attractions, might fall short of truly understanding Sakurajima. I recommend visiting specialized facilities to learn about matters like Sakurajima’s formation and its history, the impact of volcanic eruptions on nature, and efforts to protect local residents from volcanic disasters. 
This article will now take a look at Sakurajima’s two representative facilities — Sakurajima Visitor Center and Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center.

Sakurajima Visitor Center 

Sakurajima is part of the Kirishima Kinko-wan National Park, and Sakurajima Visitor Center was set up with the aim of promoting public understanding of the peninsula. The facility has various exhibits, such as video material, models and panel displays. 
Some of the staff are current residents of Sakurajima, and are able to precisely answer many questions concerning Sakurajima and access to its locations.
The site is conveniently located at a 10-minutes walk away from the ferry terminal so make it your first stop upon arriving in Sakurajima. 

Sakurajima Visitor Enter is easily accessible

Visitors can get a real feel of Sakurajima’s history and volcanic activity from the exhibits which include a Sakurajima replica, full-scale cross-section models of the peninsula’s ground strata, and real samples of lapilli (small stone debris released in a volcanic eruption) and volcanic ash. The “Eruption Image Corner” shows powerful images of the eruptions, which you rarely get to view from up close.  

Models and panel displays explaining Sakurajima

Books and other material are available for those who wish to take time to learn more about Sakurajima. The books sold at the Center include photo books and picture books inspired by the volcano, which make for nice mementos of your Sakurajima visit.

Extensive selection of Sakurajima-related reading material

Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center  

Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center serves as the base of “sabo” (land disaster prevention) projects aimed at safeguarding local residents’ livelihoods. Sabo projects focus on preventing the downward flow of mud and sand, and removing mudslide debris. Due to Sakurajima’s high volcanic activity, monitoring and engineer works are risky, and entry is prohibited within 2 km of the crater. This makes it extremely difficult to carry out the land disaster prevention projects. 
 
The Sabo Center is three-stories high, with the first floor occupied by vehicles for emergency restoration work and information gathering. The second floor houses exhibits, while the third floor is used as a central command room for various monitoring sensors set up islandwide. 
 

Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center protects residents’ livelihoods

The exhibition rooms feature monitor images of Sakurajima’s past mudslides, photographs of damage triggered by debris flow, and panel displays of land disaster prevention projects. This floor doubles as an emergency evacuation site for residents in the event of a volcanic eruption or a mudslide.  

Multi-lingual signboard

The Nojirigawa River lies right next to the Sabo Center. Even today, mudslides occur along the river around 20 times a year and disaster prevention works are constantly carried out. Visitors can observe the projects and learn about them at the “Mudslide Observation Zone” overlooking the Nojirigawa River. 

Get an up close look of disaster prevention work

Access

Transportation around Sakurajima involves two stages: crossing over to Sakurajima, and then getting around the island. For those who plan to use the public transport options mentioned below, it is good to pick up a common ticket called CUTE (day ticket: ¥1200 / 2-day ticket: ¥1800 / children half price) at tourist offices within the city or at the ferry terminal. 

Ferry terminal on the Kagoshima City side

Sakurajima Ferry

The trip from Kagoshima City to Sakurajima is usually made with a car or ferry ride, but driving overland takes about two hours via Kirishima City. For general travelers who wish make most of their time, the Sakurajima Ferry is practically the only option available to access Sakurajima.

The Sakurajima Ferry typically operates 24 hours a day, as Kagoshima residents also use it to go about their daily lives. The ferry service, which is about 15 minutes each way, operates up to four times every hour. It doesn’t take very long to board the ferry during the day. The fare is 200 yen per way (100 yen for children aged between one and elementary school age). Cash, credit cards, SUICA and other electronic payments are accepted. Buy a CUTE ticket in advance for unlimited rides. 

Ferry terminal in Sakurajima

Sakurajima Island View 

I would like to recommend the “Sakurajima Island View” loop bus as a convenient public transport option. It departs from the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal (Sakurajima Port) every half-hour, making stops at Sakurajima Visitor Center, roadside station Hino-shima Megumi-kan, Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center, Yunohira Observatory and other sites. A total of 15 buses make the rounds. (Note that buses that stop at Sakurajima International Volcanic Sabo Center only depart every hour)

Many foreign passengers also take the Sakurajima Island View bus

The fare costs 120 to 440 yen depending on the distance travelled (child fare half price), and the CUTE ticket is eligible here too. A day-pass for just the Sakurajima Island View Bus is also available for 500 yen (half price for children).

City-operated sightseeing bus

The municipal sightseeing bus is recommended for those who wish to see Sakurajima’s attractions on a guided tour. Unlike Sakurajima Island View, this bus service stops at Yunohira Observatory, Arimura Lava Observatory and the Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate, letting you visit Sakurajima’s southern and eastern areas and their notable landmarks.

Regular sightseeing bus visits Sakurajima’s major attractions

The drawbacks of this sightseeing bus is its infrequent schedule in which it only runs twice a day, and the slightly expensive fare of 1,800 yen (850 yen for children). The CUTE ticket is also not eligible for this method. The visiting times at each attraction are also fixed, and it may not be an ideal transport option for those who don’t prefer group tours. 

Fixed-route bus

Both municipal and private firms operate fixed-route buses on Sakurajima. The municipal bus accepts CUTE tickets, letting you travel around at reasonable prices. Sharing bus rides with local residents will become a lovely memory of your trip. 

Car rental / Bicycle rental

Visitors can hire a car in front of Sakurajima Port at “Sakurajima Rent-a-car/Rent-a cycle”. Renting a subcompact car (called “kei-ji-do-sha” in Japan) costs 4,800 yen, and a passenger car costs 6,500 yen (both limited to two hour rentals, or an additional 1,500 yen per extra hour). The price includes fuel and insurance, making it quite reasonably priced if you are traveling in a group. Regular bicycles fitted with baskets can be rented at 300 yen per hour. 
Alternatively, you can borrow a bicycle at Sakurajima Visitor Center. They rent out sport bikes, which are 2,500 yen for three hours, plus 500 yen for each additional hour. 

Take note that Sakurajima is covered with hilly roads. Unless you have very strong legs and stamina, it may be quite the challenging ride to get to far away attractions such as Arimura Lava Observatory and the Kurokami buried shrine gate.  

Channel all Senses to the Enchanting Beauty of Sakurajima

Sakurajima is a globally rare active volcano located in close proximity of its nearest city. It also boasts many attractions and landmarks. We hope you get a chance to visit Sakurajima if you’re traveling to Kagoshima. Make solid plans of what to see and how to reach them, and you’re all set to go. Let your five senses soak up Sakurajima’s delightful appeal.