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
- 08:00am Pick up at Marine Port Kagoshima
- 08:05am -8:45am Move to the Sakurajima ferry terminal by Taxi and tram
- 09:00am -9:15am Move to Sakurajima by Ferry
- 09:30am -10:00am Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park
- 10:30am -10:45am Move to Sakurajima ferry port by Ferry
- 10:45am -11:00am Move to Tenmonkan by Taxi
- 11:00am – 11:30am Shopping at Tenmonkan
- 11:30am -00:30pm Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan
- 00:40pm -01:00pm Move to Sengan-en garden by Taxi
- 01:00pm -02:30pm Senga-en garden tour
- 02:30pm -03:00pm Move to Marine Port Kagoshima by taxi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Sakurajima ferry terminal by Taxi and tram at 08:05, Sakurajima by Ferry at 09:00, Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park at 09:30, Sakurajima ferry port by Ferry at 10:30, Tenmonkan by Taxi at 10:45, Tenmonkan at 11:00, Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan at 11:30, Sengan-en garden by Taxi at 12:40, Senga-en garden tour at 13:00 and Marine Port Kagoshima by taxi at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Wakita to Aquarium Entrance by train (200JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 200JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kagoshima Cruise-Port Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. I heard for the first time that this trip was a journey making two loops on a cruise ship, and that the ports of call had changed slightly, making Kagoshima a first-time visit for them. The guests were able to walk without any trouble, so it became a walking tour, but since Kagoshima was still in the height of summer, we made appropriate use of taxis during the tour. Before visiting the Sakurajima foot bath and Sengan-en, I used a sketchbook to share background information and quizzes about Sakurajima and famous figures associated with Sengan-en, so I believe the guests were able to understand and enjoy it in advance.
What the guests especially enjoyed was the food in Kagoshima. They were delighted by the black pork shabu-shabu at lunch and the shirokuma shaved ice at the end of the walking tour, describing it as amazing.
A notable stop on the tour was Sengan-en, a historic Japanese garden in Kagoshima built in the 17th century by the Shimazu clan. The garden is renowned for its landscaping that incorporates Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as borrowed scenery, and it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site related to Japan's early industrialization. Visitors can explore traditional garden landscapes, historic residences, and views of the active volcano across the bay, making it one of the region's most memorable cultural attractions.
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 | Train | Wakita～Aquarium Entrance | 200JPY |
| Total | 200JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Sakurajima ferry terminal by Taxi and tram, Sakurajima by Ferry, Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park, Sakurajima ferry port by Ferry, Tenmonkan by Taxi, Tenmonkan, Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan, Sengan-en garden by Taxi, Senga-en garden tour and Marine Port Kagoshima by taxi.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 200JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Tommy is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kagoshima itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
I am a World Cultural Heritage Regional Interpreter Guide in Kagoshima Prefecture and live in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, so I can accommodate travel plans that include combinations of people visiting sightseeing spots in Tokyo and Kanagawa, and World Cultural Heritage Sites in Kyushu and Kagoshima.
***Strengths***
-I’m still nervous, but I will be certified as a Kagoshima Prefecture World Cultural Heritage Interpreter Guide in 2024!
-I love fishing and trekking in Amami and Yakushima. Amami had been staying in Setouchi Town for a long time due to my father’s work.
-Fukuoka is my hometown where I grew up until high school! I’ll even explain it in Fukuoka dialect!
-Since I worked at the Nagasaki Shipyard for nearly 20 years, I can also guide you on trips to visit Kagoshima and other sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.
-I have spent long periods of time working overseas in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Kuwait, Iceland, Pakistan, the United States, Chile, Kenya, and other countries, so I can work with people from any country.
-I have spent long periods of time in Kagoshima (Kirishima), Saga, Oita, Sendai, and Fukushima for domestic work, so I can also provide guidance.
Aug 24, 2026
85andyw
Tripadvisor review: Kagoshima Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great foray through Japan’s Samurai, Meiji and ww2 history…
Aug 24, 2026
85andyw
Tripadvisor review: Kagoshima Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great foray through Japan’s Samurai, Meiji and ww2 history
fantastic experience with Tommy. He was very knowledgeable as well as very efficient and a pleasure to spend the day with. I would highly recommend his services if you want a great experience, including the kamikaze memorial in Sharon, as well as the samurai village in Suriname as well. Also, the singing and gardens should not be missed. Actually, all of the gardens should not be missed as they were fantastic portrayals of the last few hundred years of Japanese architecture portraying the beauty of rock and soil gardens as well as water and greenery gardens.
Don’t miss this tour!