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
- Marine Port Kagoshima 9:45 – 10:10 Shiroyama Park & Observation Deck 11:00 – 11:10 Tsurumaru Castle Ruins 11:40 – 11:50 Terukuni Shrine 12:10 – 12:15 Xavier Park 12:30 – 12:35 Statue of Saigo Takamori 12:45 – 12:55 Fukufuku (lunch) 13:50 – 14:05 Tenmonkan (shopping) 15:30 – 16:00 Marine Port Kagoshima
Title: What's a Private Kagoshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tsurumaru Castle and Local Cuisine
Body: Although the departure was considerably delayed due to the guests' circumstances, the plan had been made with plenty of time to spare, so we were able to complete the itinerary as scheduled. The guests showed great interest in the history and weaknesses of Tsurumaru Castle, the Namamugi Incident and the conflict between the Satsuma Domain and Britain in the late Edo period, the subsequent cooperation leading toward the Meiji Restoration, and Saigo Takamori, listening very attentively to the explanations. Since some of the guests wished to have sashimi and others preferred vegetarian dishes, we enjoyed local ingredients and cuisine at a popular restaurant that could serve both tempura and sashimi. In addition to beer, the guests enjoyed a serving of sweet potato shochu neat, finishing it and remarking on how delicious it was.
Click here for more details: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
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!