This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 1. Hotel Kagoshima Depart 10:00
- 2. Streetcar Chuo Station-Aquarium Entrance + Walk Arrive 10:15 Depart 10:50
- 3. Sakurajima Ferry Terminal Arrive 10:50 Depart 11:00
- 4. Sakurajima Visitor Center Arrive 11:30 Depart 12:00
- 5. Nagisa Park Foot Bath + Lunch Arrive 12:05 Depart 12:36
- 6. Yudaira Observatory By bus Arrive 13:10 Depart 13:40
- 7. Ferry Terminal; Sakurajima side Arrive 13:55 Depart 14:05
- 8. Ferry Terminal; Kagoshima side Arrive 14:20 Depart 14:25
- By taxi, passing by Terukuni Shrine, Saigo Takamori Statue, and Goromon Gate viewed from the car window
- 9. Satsuma Kiriko Glass Workshop Arrive 14:50 Depart 15:05
- 10. Sengan-en Arrive 15:10 Depart 16:49
- 11. Chuo Station Arrive 17:20
Title: What Is a Private Cherry Blossom Tour of Sakurajima in Kagoshima Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were traveling across Japan over about a month, following the cherry blossoms from Hokkaido down to Kagoshima. We met at the hotel and traveled by streetcar and ferry to cross over to Sakurajima. We picked up lunch at a convenience store on Sakurajima, and the attached photo was taken when we reached a foot bath. The sky had cleared beautifully, as if yesterday's rain had never happened, and Sakurajima, releasing its white plume of smoke, was captured clearly in the shot. When I asked whether I could use the photo for promotional purposes, the guests kindly agreed. We ran over on time, but since it was due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, it never even crossed my mind to charge an overtime fee.
Click here for more details: Kagoshima Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Kagoshima Chuo Station～Aquarium Entrance | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Sakurajima Visitor Center～Yudaira Observatory | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Yudaira Observatory～Sakurajima Ferry Terminal | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Sengan-en Front～Kagoshima Chuo Station | 230JPY |
| Total | 860JPY | ||
Dear Guest
I am Guide for your Kagoshima Tour.
My nickname is Tachi, short hair, 69 years old, wearing glasses and quite small.
In Kagoshima, we can see many things in “What to expect”, like Sengan-en, Reimeikan, Terukuni Shrine, etc.
Could you please select must-see spots from the list and let us know, we will create your customised itinerary.
in addition, Could you please advise what kind of food/materials you want to eat for lunch?
and also if you have, what food/materials you can not eat, or what food/materials are prohibited to eat ?
thank you for your request
best regard
Hideto Tachimoto
Apr 4, 2026
Giovanni_M
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Fantastic
Our experience was great and our guide Tachi was…
Apr 4, 2026
Giovanni_M
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Fantastic
Our experience was great and our guide Tachi was very good, well prepared knew his
material and adapted to our needs and requests
Apr 3, 2026
V2097LInickd
Tripadvisor review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyable Guide around Kagoshima
Tachi is an experienced, helpful and well organised…
Apr 3, 2026
V2097LInickd
Tripadvisor review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyable Guide around Kagoshima
Tachi is an experienced, helpful and well organised guide. He met us at our hotel bearing day use transport cards meaning cheap transport for the day and no messing around with change for the bus, train and ferry. He organised a bright sunny day to view Sakurashima volcano which had been obscured by clouds the day before. At least he said he did. And he timed the boarding onto the ferry to the island to the second.
We toured the highlights of the island before returning to the mainland for a visit to Sengan-en and more views of Sakurashima. The history and gardens at Sengan-en are well worth a visit and a guide just adds to the experience.
Mar 28, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Great tour guide
Great tour guide. Friendly and went out…
Mar 28, 2026
James_M
Viator review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Great tour guide
Great tour guide. Friendly and went out of his way to accommodate all are requests. Also
was very knowledgeable
May 8, 2025
Louann710
Great day in Kagoshima!
Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Tachi was very responsive during the…
May 8, 2025
Louann710
Great day in Kagoshima!
Tripadvisor review: Port Pick-Up: Kagoshima Private Tour Licensed Guide ＆ Vehicle
Tachi was very responsive during the planning of our excursion. He tailored our day to what we wanted to do.
The morning of the tour he was waiting for us! He is such a nice man! Very funny wonderful personality. Our driver was very nice as well, and the van was very roomy!
We visted the Yunohira observatory and the geo park at Sakurajima. The volcano was smoking, it was a clear day so we had great views. We also saw the Saigo Takamori Statue and had a Quick Look at the Kagoshima Castle ruins.
He arranged a private room for us at lunch for a Wagu Beef experience. Delicious !!
We also saw where Satsuma glass was made! Really beautiful!
We then went to SENGAN-EN gardens and spent time there walking around and visited the House of the Lord. A very nice way to end the day!
We were back on board the ship in plenty of time.