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→Sakurajima→Lunch at Ichi-Ni-San Tenmonkan Branch→Sengan-en→Shiroyama Park→Marine Port Kagoshima
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kagoshima Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Sakurajima and Sengan-en
I met the guests at 10:00, and although they arrived a little late, we began the day together. First, I took them to Sakurajima. We took a group photo at the observation deck of Sakurajima. After that, we went for lunch at a kurobuta pork shabu-shabu restaurant in Tenmonkan. They told me it was the most delicious meal they had ever had, so it seemed they really enjoyed it. Next, we went to Sengan-en, where I explained its history and its status as a World Heritage site. At Sengan-en, I took them to the residence, which they also seemed to enjoy. I also showed them Satsuma Kiriko cut glass, but since it was quite expensive, they did not go so far as to buy it as a souvenir. Finally, I took them to Shiroyama Park, and then ended the day at Marine Port.
Click here for more details: Kagoshima Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide
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!