Yaku-shima Island, registered as a World Natural Heritage Site. Its delightful coastline and crystal waters attract tourists each day.

Located at the southern extremity of Kyushu, Kagoshima has a territory extending for about 600 kilometers from the prefectural border in the north, to the boundary between it and Okinawa. The temperate and undulating coastline has a shape that appears as if it were hugging Sakura-jima, an active volcano sitting in the Kagoshima Bay (also known as Kinko Bay). Out at sea, far beyond to the south, there are about 30 islands, such as Yaku-shima Island, which has been inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site, Tokara Islands,a chain of twelve isles of different sizes stretching over a distance of about 162 kilometers, and Amami-Oshima, the second largest isolated island in Japan.

A further look at what is in the prefecture reveals the volcanic areas of the Kirishima Mountains and Sakura-jima, Kirishima-Yaku National Park, containing the detached Yaku-shima and Kuchi-no-erabu-jima islands, and Nichinan Kaigan Quasi-National Park, known for its abundance of subtropical plants like Livistona, a genus of fan-leafed palms. The park is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. From this large number of natural parks, you can easily deduce that there is an abundance of nature there, extending from the temperate to subtropical zones. Koshiki-jima Islands, located about 30 kilometers from the western shore of the Satsuma-hanto Peninsula, are known for the Japanese lilies growing naturally there, coloring the whole inlands in pink after the rainy season.

Other attractions include Tanega-shima Island and Uchi-no-ura, known for its rocket launching bases that are the most technologically advanced gateways to space.

The largest crater lake in Kyushu. Tourists visit from around the world to experience the steaming-hot sand baths all year long.

Ibusuki, located at the southeastern end of the Satsuma-hanto Peninsula, is a typical tourist resort in Kyushu, blessed with mild weather and surrounded by hibiscuses, it is full of an atmosphere like that of some southern countries. It is especially known for its natural steaming sand baths heated by subterranean geysers. Bathers clad in kimono lie down to be covered up to their neck with sand. After about 10 minutes, the comfortable weight and cozy heat of the sand stimulate blood circulation, and the whole body begins to perspire. It is a pleasant sensation that both children and adults can enjoy.

One of the attractions in Ibusuki is Lake Ikeda-ko, the largest lake in Kyushu. It is a crater lake, some 15 kilometers around and 233 meters deep, formed by the subsidence of land when Mt. Kaimon-dake erupted. Early spring is the best time to enjoy the rape blossoms by the lake, and be treated to the sight of the beautiful contrast between the deep blue lake and bright colored blossoms.

In Chiran-cho of Minami-Kyushu City, to the northwest of Ibusuki, you will find samurai residenceslined up along a 700 meter-long stretch of road, surrounded by stone walls, they remain much as they were about 260 years ago.