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
- 09:15 Meet @ Marine Port Park Kagoshima
- 10:20 Shiroyama Observatory
- 11:25 Sengan-en
- 12:10 Lunch @ Sengan-en Restaurant
- 13:25 Statue of Saigo Takamori
- 13:40 Tsurumaru Castle Ruins
- 13:50 Reimeikan
- 15:45 Disband @ Marine Port Park Kagoshima
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kagoshima began at 09:15, when the guide met the guests at @ Marine Port Park Kagoshima, and finished at 15:45. The day ran to 6 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Sengan-en Restaurant at 12:10.
From there the group visited Shiroyama Observatory at 10:20, Sengan-en at 11:25, Statue of Saigo Takamori at 13:25, Tsurumaru Castle Ruins at 13:40 and Reimeikan at 13:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Wakita to Kagoshima-Chuo Station by train (600JPY); Kagoshima-Chuo Station to Shiroyama by bus (0JPY); Shiroyama to Sengan-en-mae by bus (0JPY); Sengan-en-mae to Kansei-cho by bus (0JPY); Suizokukan-guchi to Wakita by train (0JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 600JPY per person.

What Can You See on a Private Day Tour of Kagoshima? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who came to Kagoshima as one of the ports of call during a cruise tour from Tokyo to Singapore. At Shiroyama Observatory, they enjoyed the magnificent views of Sakurajima and the Kagoshima cityscape. At Sengan-en, they appeared deeply impressed by the beautiful garden and residence that once served as a villa of the Shimazu family. At the Reimeikan Museum, they viewed the exhibits on Kagoshima's history and art with great interest. Since I responded to the guests' requests as they wished, I believe they were satisfied.
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~Kagoshima-Chuo Station | 600JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kagoshima-Chuo Station~Shiroyama | 0JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Shiroyama~Sengan-en-mae | 0JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Sengan-en-mae~Kansei-cho | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Suizokukan-guchi~Wakita | 0JPY |
| Total | 600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kagoshima tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Marine Port Park Kagoshima at 09:15, and the tour finished at @ Marine Port Park Kagoshima at 15:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 09:15 to 15:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Shiroyama Observatory, Sengan-en, Statue of Saigo Takamori, Tsurumaru Castle Ruins and Reimeikan.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 600JPY per person across 5 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?
Seizo 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 Seizo Kamiuto, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (English). I was born in Kagoshima City in Kyushu (Southern part of Japan) and grew up there until the graduation from a high school. I came to Tokyo to enter a University in Tokyo and since then, I have lived in Tokyo for more than 40 years and therefore I know Tokyo and its suburbs and Kagoshima City very well. After retiring from an IT company, I have been working as a Guide Interpreter of English since March 2018. I have guided many overseas guests to the popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji area (Kawaguchiko Lake etc.), Hakone, Nikko, Yokohama, Kawagoe and Kagoshima and so on. I have received good reviews from many guests. I can explain the history and the culture of Japan in detail. I look forward to an opportunity to guide you in Japan. Thank you. Seizo Kamiuto
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
Walking tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Seizo was a tremendously fabulous…
Sep 27, 2026
jonaJ5014ZK
Walking tour of Tokyo
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Seizo was a tremendously fabulous and friendly tour guide. He made us feel welcome and took great care to explain the tour and what we would be seeing during the day. It was a great way to see the city’s sights and a great help navigating the transit system. Loads of trains rides to get us to each new location.
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto.…
Sep 11, 2026
M7402TTsharonp
Higly recommend
Tripadvisor review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Had an amazing tour with Seizi Kaminto. He was very knowledgeable, easy going, great sense of humour and taught us a lot about Japanese culture and history. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and our guide Seizo. Would highly recommend.
Sep 8, 2026
OnAir57127583503
Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our…
Sep 8, 2026
OnAir57127583503
Amazing Experience with Kamakura Day Tour
Tripadvisor review: Japan Guide Agency
We had an excellent time with Seizo Kamiuto as our guide for Kamakura. He was an excellent guide for the whole day and it really made a difference with an experienced person who knew the area. He was very friendly and accommodating with our plans for Kamakura, including me picking out which temples and shrines to visit. He met us at our hotel in Asakusa and dropped us back off at the hotel even if it is an hour from Kamakura. He also recommended a great sushi restaurant that I would not have even known existed, even if I was looking straight at it. I would highly recommend bringing a guide like Seizo if you want to maximize your time in Kamakura to explore the area.
Our tour went to 3 places in the morning and 2 places in the afternoon. The morning places were a bit out of the way and less crowded, but were beautiful on their own. The morning places where Engakuji Temple, Meigetsu-in Temple (slightly out of season for September but some hydrangeas were still blooming and the temple itself was very beautiful with nature all around), and Kencho-ji Temple. The afternoon was in the busier places of Kamakura, but the crowds weren’t too bad. They were Hasedera Temple and the Giant Buddha of Kamakura Temple. Each place was different and pretty in their own ways.
Sep 4, 2026
B2319ZKjoseo
Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a great time learning about…
Sep 4, 2026
B2319ZKjoseo
Pleasant stroll through HISTORY
Tripadvisor review: Kawagoe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a great time learning about little Edo. Our guide, Mr. Seizo, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and patient with the number of questions we had.
