We were so lucky to see the top of Sakurajima without cloud cover

Private bath of Mitsuhisa Shimadzu, head of the Shimadzu clan

Torii before the shrine at Sengan-en Garden

Many prominent people in the Meiji Restoration

One of the pivotal characters in the restoration

Warm musical sendoff as we leave Kagashima

Kagoshima, Japan

March 24, Philippine Sea ⋅ 🌬 68 °F

Kagoshima is a seaside city known for its location near Sakurajima, Japan’s most active volcano. Apparently it erupts nearly every day, but we did not see it. We visited an historical garden and home of the Shimadzu clan at Sengan-en ( ISO) Garden, an observatory overlooking the city and a statue of Saigo Takamori, the last samurai. We visited the Museum of the Meiji Restoration, a period that restored power to the emperor and eliminated samurai governance. We found the people of Kagashima to be very enthusiastic and friendly towards us and concluded our visit with a great musical sendoff.Read more