Kagoshima-ken

Introducing Kagoshima-ken

Kyūshū’s southernmost prefecture is dominated by the majestic volcano of Sakurajima, which overlooks the bustling city of Kagoshima across the bay. To the south is the Satsuma Peninsula, and to the north Kirishima-Yaku National Park with its superb volcanoes and hiking. Here is where the Meiji Restoration began, initially under the leadership of Saigō Takamori. Famous also for its dialect, the prefecture’s Kagoshima-ben is so difficult that it was used as code in WWII much the way the Native American Navajo language was used by the USA.

Atop an unimpressive bluff in Kokubu city, 40 minutes north of Kagoshima, a construction crew digging a hotel foundation stumbled upon what would be identified as the oldest Jōmon-era remains ever found. Almost 10, 000 years ago primitive civilisation arrived here and stayed long enough to leave relics of its passing. The site at Uenohara boasts a small museum and a research station, well worth a stop if you’re heading in that direction.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009