Kagoshima is full of places you can visit where nature has been preserved since ancient times: Sakurajima, where volcanic plumes rise, and Yakushima, a World Heritage site where you can meet cedar trees that are over 1000 years old.

Sakurajima, an island which is said to be a symbol of Kagoshima, is home to a still-active volcano that still emits smoke and blows volcanic ash across the island. There are a substantial number of enjoyable sightseeing activities on Sakurajima such as kayaking, a hot spring digging experience, sightseeing by charter plane and dolphin watching. When it comes to the nature of Kagoshima, you can’t forget about Yakushima. It is an island designated as a natural World Heritage site filled with beautiful mossy forests such as Yakusugi, which are thousands of years old. The landscape of Yakushima was also the inspiration for the forests in the famous Studio Ghibli anime film, Princess Mononoke.