April 12th known as the day when Gagarin went to the Space, "Space museum" opened in Kagoshima which is the only place that has rocket base in Japan.

It was founded in downtown Kagoshima, called "TENMONKAN".
You can enjoy watching 3D Galaxy and the surface of the moon, listening the real sound of rocket fire.

Please feel your dreams and get further information. Space journey is now here for you!

Space Museum
{Address}7-18-2F Higashisengoku-cho Kagoshima-city, Kagoshima
{TEL} 099(222)8778
{Open} 11am~5pm
{Closed} Tuesday
{Admission fee} Free

This year the mascot character for Hina celebrations in Kagoshima is none other than Atsuhime, a princess from the Shimadzu samurai clan and the star of an NHK Taiga drama. During the "Atsuhime Girls' Day Festival", various facilities around the prefecture will be decked out with beautiful Hina doll displays and springtime decorations. Many hotels, restaurants, and tourist facilities are coordinating with this event to provide limited time only Hina sweets and a "Hina-Gozen" lunch to guests who come to see the doll displays. There will also be exclusive offers on March 3rd (Sunday).

Please enjoy springtime sightseeing in Kagoshima with Atsuhime!

Event Period：February 1st (Friday)～March 31st (Sunday) 2013
Location： throughout Kagoshima Prefecture
Main venues
・Kagoshima City (Kagoshima City Museum of Art, Senganen, Castle Park Hotel (Shiroyama), Kagoshima Sun Royal Hotel, etc.)
・Kirishima City (JR Kareigawa Station, Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel, Hotel Kyocera, etc.)
・Ibusuki City (Ibusuki Kaijyo Hotel, Ibusuki Seaside Hotel, Ibusuki Phoenix Hotel, etc.)
・Minamikyushu City (Chiran Doll Museum, Chiran Paradise, etc.)
・Satsumasendai City (Kohan Resort Hotel, etc.)
・Izumi City (Izumi Samurai Houses "Takezoe Residence" and "Saisho Residence", Hotel King, etc.)

For more information：http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/bookdata/index.html#page=1
(Japanese Website only)

・Izumi city Cranes Observation Center

It's in front of the cranes cocoon. On the 2nd floor in this building, there is an observation room and from there, you can the view of feeding. On the 1st floor in this building, there are restaurant and shops.
Entrance fee: Adult 210yen Junior high school & Elementary school student 100yen
URL: http://www.city.izumi.kagoshima.jp/izumi08/04shisetu_19.asp ( Japanese Only) http://www.city.izumi.kagoshima.jp/izumi08/04shisetu_19.asp( Japanese Only)

・Crane Park Izumi

This is a rare and unique Crane Museum in Japan where you can learn about Cranes through some display about specific biology and also enjoy simulation of flying in the dome theater.
Entrance fee: Adult 310yen University and High school student 210yen Junior high school and Elementary student 100yen

http://www.city.izumi.kagoshima.jp/izumi_crane/default.asp (Japanese Only)

We would like to introduce some of the spots in Kagoshima.
In this season, there are many different kinds of colorful illumination in Kagoshima.
You can enjoy the magical atmosphere around the Christmas time to January in some points.
For more details, please check the following information below.

・Minato Odori Park（Kagoshima city）

The illuminated areas are also in Dolphin Port, Miami Street and Kaigan Street.

Event Period: Dec. 1st ~ Jan. 31st
Event Hours: 18:00～22:00

・Flower Park Kagoshima (Ibusuki city)

The illumination in Flower Park Kagoshima is an annual winter event. Every year, Staff will decorate the illuminations with all their hearts. You can enjoy the different atmosphere from daytime.
The some other events will be also held on during the event.

Event Period: Dec. 8th ~ 29th, Jan. 1st ~ 6th
Event Hours: 17:30 ~ 22:00
Entrance Fee: Adult: 600yen (Hight School students are included.), Child: 300yen
(Elementary School and Junior High School students), Under Junior High School students are free.
http://www.fp-k.org

・Shibushi Tetudo Kinen Park

The park and the area of around the park are beautifully decorated by 130,000 lights. There are also decorated SL and tunnel.

Event Period: Dec. 1st ~ Jan. 12th
Event Hours: 17:00 ~ 23:00 (Dec. 25th, 31st, and Jan. 1st : 17:00 ~ 1:00am)

Wake up to the sunrise at your desired destination.

■Refreshing and relaxing

Ferry is spacious.　We have spa in our ferry.

Enjoy our many features including a spa, game centre and restaurant.

On clear nights, you can enjoy the starry skies　from our deck, free from　city lights.

■The best way to Yakushima

You can visit the UNESCO world heritage forest and see the oldest and biggest cedars in Japan.

Also,　you can visit Kirishima, Ibusuki and Sakurajima easily.

*Sunflower Liner is the name of highway shuttle bus which goes to(from) the Yakushima jetfoil port "Minami-futo" (南埠頭)　via Kagoshima Chuo Station from(to) Shibushi port.

*1 From　Kagoshima Chuo Station, take　a　limited express　train "Hayato" 隼人(About 1hour and a half, 1080 yen) to Kirishima　Onsen Station

*2　High speed jetfoil boats are operated daily between　the Yakushima jetfoil port "Minami-futo" (南埠頭) and　Yakushima (Miyanoura or Anbo Port).

*3 From　Kagoshima Chuo Station, take　a　JR train　(About 1 hour,970 yen) to　Ibusuki Station

*4 From Kagoshima Chuo Station, take a bus (About 12 minutes, 150 yen) to Kagoshima City Aquarium (かごしま水族館～a.k.a."IOWORLD"). Then walk 1 minutes to Sakurajima Ferry terminal in Kagoshima Port.

*5 From Kagoshima Chuo Station, take a JR train (About 4 minutes, 200 yen) to Kagoshima Station. Then walk about 12 minutes to Sakurajima ferry terminal.

*6　Take　a ferry　that runs　between Kagoshima Port(=Sakurajima ferry terminal)　and the Sakurajima Ferry port.

■Various types of accommodations

①Deluxe ②Deluxe B ③First ④Tourist bed ⑤Tourist

■Welcome aboard

Families with children will enjoy the extra space available for all members.

Cyclists and those with motor vehicles are welcome aboard.

■Reasonable prices

You can get 20% discount by using web reservation.

The lowest price is 12,100 JPY (One way, based on fares revised on October 2012)

→　9,680 JPY (include fuel surcharges)

You can save lots of money!

Ferry Sunflower Co., Ltd.

URL: http://www.ferry-sunflower.co.jp/language/english/

Shochu is one of Japan's most popular alcoholic beverages.　It is a distilled spirit that can be enjoyed before, during, and after meals. Dora Tauzin, from France, reports on a popular type called Honkaku Shochu: its ingredients, distilling method, and history. The program also features Ryukyu Awamori, a beverage from Okinawa said to be Japan's oldest distilled spirit. In addition, Shochu advisor Kaori Haishi introduces recipes of dishes that go well with Shochu.

*On-air

[UTC] : Oct 31^th: 14:30~, 18:30~, 21:30~, Nov 1^st : 1:30~, 5:30~, 9:30~

[JST]: Oct 31^th: 23:30~, Nov 1^st: 3:30~, 6:30~, 10:30~, 14:30~, 18:30~

If you cannot watch NHK WORLD/jibtv in your region, you can watch online at http://www.jibtv.com

The Chrysanthemum Festival - a traditional autumn event in Kagoshima

A wide array of flower sculptures and arrangements, including award-winning works of the flower competition held by the Kagoshima Prefecture Chrysanthemum Association, chrysanthemum towers, figures and floats are being displayed in the garden of Sengan-en.

Event Period       : 1 Nov (Thu) ~ 25 Nov (Sun)

Venue                  : Sengan-en

Opening Hours    : Opens everyday 08:30~17:20 (from 1 Nov ~ 15 Mar)

08:30~17:30 (besides the above-stated period)

Getting there       : Board privately-operated buses or the Kagoshima City View bus from the JR

Kagoshima Chuo Station and alight at the "Sengan-en Mae" stop.

Web URL             : http://www.senganen.jp/ (Japanese)

http://www.senganen.jp/en/top/index.html (English)

http://www.senganen.jp/tr/top/index.html (Traditional Chinese)

Ohara Matsuri, a dance festival held at Tenmonkan in downtown Kagoshima, is attended by about 20,000 people. It is also the largest festival of its kind in southern Kyushu. Dancing in unison to traditional music such as the Ohara-bushi (a popular tune of Kagoshima) and the likes, participants come dressed in traditional Yukata (summer style Kimono), Happi (festive overcoat), and some even wear home-made costumes.

"Hana Densha (Flower Trams)", which are essentially street trams decorated with colourful festive lights, are parked in the dance area to brighten up the festive mood. Spontaneous participation is also greatly encouraged! So what are you waiting for? Come join in the Ohara Matsuri!

Date:

Pre-Festival        2 Nov (Fri); 18:45~21:00

Main Festival       3 Nov (Sat/Culture Day); 10:20~17:00

Venue:

Along the tram line in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima City

Getting there:

15 minute walk (towards Tenmonkan) from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station / Take the city tram and alight at Takamibaba station

Karaimo Rare Cake "Lovely"

This no-bake confectionery is made from the "Kogane Sengan" sweet potatoes, grown on the company-owned farms. There are no preservatives or colouring added in the manufacturing process, and the nutrition and fibre of the sweet potatoes are left intact, retaining the natural flavour and sweetness.

 Baked Confectionery - Western-Style "Pie Karaimo"

Similar to "Lovely", this delicacy also makes use of home-grown "Kogane Sengan" sweet potatoes. It combines the crispiness of the pie crust, the sweetness of the Karaimo sweet potatoes, and the rich flavours of cheese.

Besides the above, there are also many other different types of confectionery (both Japanese style and Western style) made using the Kagoshima sweet potatoes. Be sure to give them a try!

Outlets

Karaimo World (Karaimo Confectionery Specialty Shop)

Address               : 1-1 Gofuku-cho, Kagoshima City (Tenmonkan)

TEL                      : 099-239-1333

Opening Hours    : 0900 HRS ~ 2100 HRS

Closed On            : 1^st January

URL                      : http://www.festivalo.co.jp/

Other branches in Kagoshima City: Fresta (Kagoshima Chuo Station), AMU Plaza, Yamakataya

Wafuka Karaimo Honten (Japanese Confectionery)

Address               : Kagoshima Terminal Building 1F

(Along Napoli-Dori Street)

11 Chuo-cho, Kagoshima City

TEL                      : 099-255-0618

URL: http://www.festivalo.co.jp/tenpo/tenpo_karaimo.html

 1. Ikoma Highland (Kirishima City)

URL: http://www.ikomakougen.com/

Be surrounded by a million stalks of beautiful Cosmos flowers! This place is definitely worth a visit! A Cosmos Festival is scheduled to be held this year from 22^nd Sep (Sat) to 28 Oct (Sun)!

Viewing Period    : Late September to late October

Address               : 8565-28 Nanseiho, Kobayashi-shi, Miyazaki-ken

TEL                      : +81-984-27-1919 (Hana-no-Chaya)

Opening Hours    : 0800 HRS ~ 1700 HRS (Opens daily)

Parking Space     : 1000 lots

Entrance fees      : 400 Yen (Adult), 200 Yen (Junior High), 0 Yen (Elementary and below)

(Group price: 320 Yen for > 15 people)

2. Kagoshima City Agriculture Centre (Toshi Nogyo Centre)

URL: http://www.city.kagoshima.lg.jp/_1010/shimin/6keizai/6-2nourinsuisan/_36441/_24411/info/_31145.html

300,000 stalks of colourful Cosmos flowers fill this 8,000m² plot of land in the middle of the Fureai Zone of the facility.

Viewing Period    : Mid October to Early November

Address               : 4705 Inuzako-cho, Kagoshima City

TEL                      : +81-99-238-2666

Opening Hours    : 0830 HRS ~ 1700 HRS (Opens daily)

Parking Space     : 440 lots

Entrance fees      : Free of charge

3. Takachiho Farm

URL: http://www.takachiho-bokujou.co.jp/

200,000 stalks of beautiful Cosmos flowers welcome you at the entrance gate!

Viewing Period    : Late October to Early November

Address               : 5265-103 Yoshinomoto-cho,

Miyakonojo-shi, Miyazaki-ken

TEL                      : +81-986-33-2102

Opening Hours    : 0930 HRS ~ 1730 HRS

Opening Days      : Closed on the third Tuesdays of every month from Apr to Nov

Opens daily from Jul to Aug

Closed on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from Dec to Mar

Parking Space     : 1000 lots

Entrance fees      : Free of charge

Places to View Autumn Leaves (Momiji)

1. Kirishima Shrine (Kirishima City)

URL: http://www.kirishimajingu.or.jp/index.html

 The legend of Tenson Korin (Descend of the Heavenly Grandchild) originated from this shrine, a popular location for viewing autumn leaves. The premises of the shrine are filled with brilliant red maple leaves and many of the small paths in the vicinity are also famous maple leave-watching spots!

Viewing Period    : Mid November to early December

Address               : 2608-5 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima-shi

TEL                      : +81-995-57-0001

Opening Hours    : 0800 HRS ~ 1800 HRS (for prayers at the main shrine)

                             The shrine complex and its surroundings are open daily with no closing hours

Parking Space     : 500 lots

Entrance fees      : Free of charge

A Thousand Gingko Trees (Tarumizu City)

URL: http://www.city.tarumizu.lg.jp/oshirase/kankou/senbonicyou.htm

 About 100 Gingko trees are continually being planted every year since 1978, and there are currently about 1200 Gingko trees today. The park was opened to public since 2008, and visitors can enjoy this beautiful forest of more than a thousand Gingko trees. There is also a lookout point where visitors can catch a glimpse of Mount Sakurajima and Mount Kaimon in the distance.

Viewing period    : Late November ~ Mid December

Getting there      : 10 min drive eastwards (towards Kanoya) from Tarumizu City Hall on Route 71

A Big Summer Event!

It's once again time for one of the largest fireworks shows in Kyushu, the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks!

The Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks, a large-scale fireworks show with Kinko Bay and the active volcano Sakurajima set in the background, is in its 12^th year.

Approximately 14,000 fireworks are launched in total, accompanied by music and including a string of 20 successive fireworks, a chain of large "peony" fireworks, two simultaneous fireworks each measuring 480 meters in diameter, and more. It's an exceptional display worthy of southern paradise Kagoshima.

*Date：August 25, 2012（Sat）

*Venue：Kagoshima Honko Port area

*Access：5 minute walk from Izurodori tram stop or Asahidori tram stop

　　　　　10 minute walk from Tenmonkan

※Driving to the event is inadvisable（Nearby roads will be extremely crowded on the day of. Traffic restrictions will be in place, so please take care to use public transport when attending this event.）

*Opening Ceremony　7:20 PM～7:30 PM

*Fireworks launch　7:30 PM～8:40 PM

【Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks】

Official Website URL →  http://hanabi.kankou-kagoshima.jp/（Japanese only）

The main venue for the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks is the Kagoshima Honko Port area, but the show can also be viewed from other places in the city.

Normally, Senganen closes at 5:30 PM, but for August 25^th only the garden will remain open from 5:30 PM until the end of the fireworks show.

Please enjoy spectacular rings of fireworks blooming in the night sky at one of the foremost "borrowed scenery" gardens in Japan.

（Above：The lovely Senganen garden; Below：the fireworks as seen from Senganen）

※Second photograph provided by Shimadzu Limited

Scenic Japanese garden "Senganen"

※For one day only the garden will be open late, from 5:30 PM to the end of the fireworks show. Admission fee after 5:30 PM is ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children.

[Regular Operation]

Business Hours　8:30 AM～5:30 PM

Admission

【Garden Course】¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for elementary and junior high students

【Villa Course】¥1,500 for adults, ¥750 for elementary and junior high students