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.
Tour Itinerary
- Sheraton Kagoshima 9:00 – 9:50 Sengan-en・Satsuma Glass Craft 11:19 – 11:40 Kagoshima Port (lunch) 12:00 – 12:15 Sakurajima Port – 12:35 Visitor Center 13:06 – 13:25 Yuhira Observatory 13:40 – 13:55 Sakurajima Port 14:05 – 14:20 Kagoshima Port – 15:00 Sheraton Kagoshima
Title: What Is a Private Kagoshima Tour with a Local Guide Like? A Guide's Report
The guests were seasoned senior travelers touring various parts of Japan, and they were great fans of Japanese culture and cuisine, happily enjoying purple sweet potato tart, mikan candy, jambo mochi, and matcha soft serve. For the sake of time efficiency, we had lunch during the ferry waiting time, choosing a grilled fish bento from the kiosk, and the guests said it was delicious and finished it completely. That very morning, Sakurajima erupted and there was a large amount of falling ash, which surprised them greatly, and they took photos of cars covered in ash. They also watched the video at the Satsuma Kiriko glass workshop and the visitor center with great interest.
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 | Bus | Sengan-en～In front of Kagoshima Aquarium／Kagoshima Kotsu | 430JPY |
| Section 2 | Ferry | Kagoshima～Sakurajima Port | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Free Pass | Sakurajima Port～Visitor Center Yunohira Observatory | 500JPY |
| Section 4 | Ferry | Sakurajima Port～Kagoshima | 250JPY |
| Total | 1,430JPY | ||
Experienced guide in Tokyo, Kanto, Kansai, Chugoku and Kyushu as lived in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Shiga, Wakayama, Yamaguchi, Fukuoka and Kumamoto. Can introduce local favorite restaurants and shops in these areas. Flexible and tailored itinerary is available with car transport transportation. Can escort outdoor activities such as fishing and hiking. Can provide private tours at Sake breweries in Fukuoka and Saga area with personal networks. Respect and adapt to diverse cultures and religions as worked with colleagues around the world for 38 years.
Sep 19, 2026
Romy_B
Kagoshima guided tour with driver
Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
Everyone in our group agreed this…
Sep 19, 2026
Romy_B
Kagoshima guided tour with driver
Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
Everyone in our group agreed this was the best tour we did during our 12 day cruise to Japan & S. Korea. Kaz was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative. We enjoyed every one of our tour stops and our lunch was delicious.
Sep 2, 2026
Lee_T
A wonderful day in Port
Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful private tour…
Sep 2, 2026
Lee_T
A wonderful day in Port
Viator review: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful private tour with our guide Kaz. The vehicle was very comfortable and our driver was very professional. Kaz was great communicating with us prior to the tour and on the day communicating our meeting time at the port, everything was seamless.
Kaz let us customize our tour and also arranged a delicious authentic Japanese lunch. We had a wonderful day and the extra service was amazing. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Jun 7, 2026
Kim_K
Viator review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Beautiful, insightful and memorable!
We definitely had a beautiful, insightful and memorable…
Jun 7, 2026
Kim_K
Viator review: Kagoshima Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Beautiful, insightful and memorable!
We definitely had a beautiful, insightful and memorable day in Kagoshima. Kaz, our private guide, had excellent English and shared so much insight to the area from the volcano to Sochu!
We highly recommend this day tour. Our big bonus was the eruption that morning which made us appreciate the active personality of Sakurajima!