Kagoshima in One Day: am Move to Sengan-en garden — Guide Tommy
September, 2025
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
- 09:00am Pick up at Marine Port Kagoshima
- 09:00am -10:40am Move to Sengan-en garden
- 10:40am -00:45pm Sengan-en garden Tour.
- 00:45pm -01:30pm Move to Tenmonkan by Bus
- 01:30pm -02:30pm Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan
- 02:30pm -03:00pm Move to Sakurajima by Taxi and Ferry
- 03:00pm -04:00pm Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park
- 04:00pm -05:00pm Move to Marine Port Kagoshima by bus
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in am Move to Sengan-en garden at 09:00, pm Sengan-en garden Tour. at 10:40, pm Move to Tenmonkan by Bus at 12:45, pm Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan at 13:30, pm Move to Sakurajima by Taxi and Ferry at 14:30, pm Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park at 15:00 and pm Move to Marine Port Kagoshima by bus at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Asahi-dori to Kagoshima-Chuo (170JPY); Kagoshima-Chuo to Sengan-en-mae (240JPY); Sengan-en to Tenmonkan-mae (230JPY); Tenmonkan to Aquarium-mae (170JPY); Kagoshima to Sakurajima (250JPY); Sakurajima to Kagoshima (250JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,310JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kagoshima Cruise Port Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time on a milestone trip. They arrived on a cruise, and although they had joined a short tour at a previous port of call in Nagasaki, they had not had time to enjoy a proper meal there. In Kagoshima, however, they were able to enjoy delicious food, and they seemed to especially like the local black pork. At Sengan-en, they were impressed not only by the beauty of the garden and the residence, but also gained an appreciation of the World Heritage Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution, as well as the way of life and calligraphy of Shimazu Nariakira. Finally, at Sakurajima, I believe they were able to relax for about 30 minutes at a foot bath. Along the way, on the ferry, they seemed to enjoy taking commemorative photos and a Sakurajima quiz.
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 | Asahi-dori～Kagoshima-Chuo | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Kagoshima-Chuo～Sengan-en-mae | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Sengan-en～Tenmonkan-mae | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Tenmonkan～Aquarium-mae | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Other | Kagoshima～Sakurajima | 250JPY |
| Section 6 | Other | Sakurajima～Kagoshima | 250JPY |
| Total | 1,310JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited am Move to Sengan-en garden, pm Sengan-en garden Tour., pm Move to Tenmonkan by Bus, pm Kurobuta Lunch at Tenmonkan, pm Move to Sakurajima by Taxi and Ferry, pm Footbath at Sakurajima Lava Park and pm Move to Marine Port Kagoshima by bus.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,310JPY per person across 6 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.