North Satsuma Area

To see the scenic west coast of Kagoshima, take the 「Hisatsu-Orenji Railway」, a superb train that runs along the coastline, for a train window trip from Satsumasendai to Izumi.
We recommend getting off at one of the stations that adorn the area along the line and taking a stroll.

Hisatsu-Orenji Railway

A "running seaside restaurant" with spectacular views of the coastline with local gourmet.
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Koshiki Island

The beautiful island of Satsumasendai where has been designated a national park for its scenic beauty.
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Izumi Samurai Residence

Wearing the kimono and taking a leisurely stroll in an oxcart, you can travel back in time to 400 years ago.
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Wintering ground of Izumi Cranes

The sight of cranes gracefully flapping their wings in the sky is a wintertime tradition in Izumi.
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Isa City

Sogi Falls, known as the "Niagara of the Orient," is a breathtaking and spectacular sight.
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【Food】Hisatsu-Orenji Railway

The sunset that vividly colors the East China Sea and the summer mandarin orange fields along the line.
You can fully enjoy the spectacular scenery unique to the west coast of Kyushu, which is well suited to such orange scenery, on the Hisatsu-Orenji Railway, which connects Satsumasendai City in Kagoshima and Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto.
If you find a station along the line that you like, feel free to get off the train and enjoy the local specialties, natural scenery, and cuisine of that town.
This is the best part of traveling on the Hisatsu-Orenji Railway.

Orenji Shokudo

"Orenji Shokudo" is a sightseeing train that runs only on weekends and holidays. It is a "running seaside restaurant" where you can enjoy the spectacular scenery as well as gourmet foods only available on the train, which make use of seasonal ingredients from the coastline along the route.
The ever-changing scenery of the beautiful west coast of Kyushu provides a comfortable train window trip where you can enjoy a relaxing slow-life journey with local gourmet.

RAYLWAY

Orenji Shokudo
Orenji Shokudo
Hisatsu-Orenji Railway
Sea urchin of Akune
Saba of Satsumasendai
Buri of Satsumasendai
Kibinago of Satsumasendai
Farm Garden Sora : OpenteTeracce
Farm Garden Sora : Taoast
Farm Garden Sora : CaftBeer

KEYWORD of TRAVEL

Sea urchin of Akune

Akune, a seaside station, is a port town where you can enjoy fresh seafood. In particular, the purple sea urchin caught in Akune from April to May is a true jewel of the sea with its rich flavor and creamy sweetness.
Please enjoy the deep and elegant taste of sea urchin from Akune with sushi or sea urchin donburi.
Kibinago

Departure station "Satsumasendai" is birthplace of Kagoshima's local delicacy, kibinago.
Kibinago is a fantastic fish that does not appear on the market very often because it loses its freshness quickly.
The most recommended way of eating is sashimi, although it is delicious any way you eat it, such as grilled with salt, deep-fried, tempura, or soup. The best way to enjoy it is as sashimi, served with miso and vinegar.
Farm Garden Sora

A popular retreat space in Akune, a famous producer of sweet summer oranges. Visitors can experience strolling through seasonal gardens and harvesting fruit trees and herbs.
The nature-filled observation terrace offers a variety of menu items such as strawberry parfait and toast produced at "Farm Garden Sora. Enjoy a relaxing time on the terrace sofa while admiring the beautiful flowers.

【Nature】Koshiki Island

It takes 50 minutes by high-speed boat from Kawauchi Port at Kawauchi Station, the first station of Hisatsu-Orenji Railway.
Three islands, Kamikoshiki Island, Nakakoshiki Island, and Shimokoshiki Island, are connected vertically, and the scenic beauty of Koshiki Island has been designated as a national park.
The island's slow-flowing island time, untouched nature, and traditional culture preserved by the islanders give peace of mind and excitement to travelers visiting the island. Koshiki Island is a place where you can discover something new every time you visit.

Travel as if you lived there

Interacting with islanders who smile kindly at you in a village that retains its old-fashioned atmosphere. Stargazing at night in the silence with only the sound of the waves and wind in your ears.
The charm of the Koshiki Island trip is that you will realize once again that each of these is a very luxurious and precious time.

ISLAND

Koshikio Bridge
Nagamenohama Observatory
Koshiki Bridge
Seo Kannon Mitaki
Koshiki Island Cruising
Sunset in Koshiki Island
Shiki Museum
Observatorio Torinosuyama
Dangai Burger
Koshiki Island Seafood

KEYWORD of TRAVEL

Nagame Beach

The sandbar, 50m wide and 4km long, was formed by sea breeze after foot of Kamikoshiki Island collapsed due to ancient wind and waves. It is a scenic spot where you can experience the mystery of nature with the magnificent view formed over a long period of time.
From the observatory, you can see the white sandbar along the scenic Kamikoshiki Island floating on the azure sea.
Cruising Experience

A cruising experience that takes you around the cliffs where you can see huge and strange rocks rising out of the sea and geological formations that were formed 80 million years ago from the Cretaceous Period, and encounter dynamic and prehistoric romantic nature.
You will be overwhelmed by the wild and beautiful sculptures of nature, which are different from the view from land.
Satsuma Sweet Shrimp

In Koshiki Island, where the fishing industry thrives, you can enjoy fresh seafood nurtured by the Kuroshio Current all year round. Kaisen-don, a bowl of rice topped with seafood, is a luxurious dish full of happiness.
Satsuma sweet shrimp, a specialty of Shimokoshiki Island, is characterized by its plump texture and rich sweetness. It can be enjoyed as sashimi or deep-fried.

【History】Izumi Samurai Residence

400 years ago. Located on the border between Kagoshima and Kumamoto, which are connected by the Satsuma Highway, Izumi was an important defense base and prospered greatly as a castle town.
Even today, the samurai residences of the Satsuma warriors of that time still remain, and the area has been selected as one of Japan's Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Important Traditional Buildings.
The town is neatly laid out like a grid, and the stone walls show the frugal and sturdy spirit of the Satsuma warriors.

Izumi sightseeing oxcart

Izumi sightseeing oxcart, which takes about 25 min, is recommended for sightseeing. Enjoy a graceful stroll around the Izumi Foothills as if you were a lord or princess of Satsuma.
The guide will tell you about the architectural style and highlights of Izumi-Ruku samurai houses, so you can learn more about the history of Kagoshima Prefecture.

HISTORY

Izumi sightseeing oxcart
Izumi Samurai Residence
Izumi Samurai Residence
Izumi Samurai Residence
Kimono experience
Izumi Oyako Steak Gohan

KEYWORD of TRAVEL

Samurai Residence open to public

Of the approximately 150 existing samurai residences, two are open to the public.
Visitors are invited to tour samurai residences, which are characterized by their high quality and solidity, and to think about the thoughts and lifestyles of the Satsuma warriors of the past.
Kimono experience

Why don't you take the opportunity to walk around the streets in kimono, which still retain traces of the Edo period? At the Demizu Buke Yashiki, you can try on a kimono.
You can choose a kimono and obi with the pattern of your choice and look the way you want to. Walking around elegant samurai residences in kimono, you will feel like you have stepped back in time 400 years!
Izumi Oyako Steak Gohan

A local delicacy of Izumi City, using luxurious chicken meat and eggs from Izumi, one of Japan's leading producers of chicken and chicken eggs. It can be enjoyed at four restaurants in Izumi City.
This is a chicken-oriented menu unique to Izumi, the "City of Chickens," with juicy chicken steaks grilled on the spot, rice with eggs produced in Izumi, chicken salad and egg soup.

Wintering ground of Izumi Cranes

Izumi is the largest crane migration site in Japan, with more than 10,000 cranes migrating to the area every year from October to December for overwintering. The number and variety of these cranes is said to be the largest in Japan, and they are designated as a national natural monument.
The sight of these cranes spreading their wings and fluttering gracefully across the sky is a winter wonder you will not see anywhere else.

Ramsar Convention Wetlands

The wintering site of Izumi cranes was registered as the first Ramsar Convention wetland in Japan.
In Izumi City, various environmental projects are being promoted to practice the three foundations of "Conservation - Restoration", "Wise Use", and "Exchange - Learning" of the wetlands, which all provide various blessings to life.

Izumi Cranes

Wintering ground of Izumi Cranes
Graceful crane dance
Cranes taking off in the morning glow
Izumi City Crane Observation Center
Crane Museum
Tokozan Park

KEYWORD of TRAVEL

Izumi City Crane Observation Center

This observation center stands in front of the reclaimed land where cranes live. From the rooftop observatory, you can observe the graceful dance of the cranes, grooming their feathers, and feeding on their food.
The best time to visit is from 6:00 to 7:00 every morning. The silhouette of about 10,000 cranes flying in unison in search of food amidst the morning glow is a breathtakingly elegant and beautiful sight.
Crane Museum

The Crane Museum is the only crane museum in Japan where visitors can learn about the detailed ecology of cranes as well as the relationship between cranes and people.
Through exhibits such as stuffed cranes from around the world, wood carvings, and videos, the museum provides a place to learn about and become familiar with cranes and other wild birds and nature in Izumi.
Crane Park Flower Park

Park attached to the Crane Museum. It has a barrier-free wooden deck, a tree house, and over 17,000 seasonal flowers and trees planted.
The "Wild Bird Forest" has been maintained in as natural a state as possible, making it a place where many wild birds and other animals can be observed.

【Climate】Isa City

Kagoshima Prefecture, long from north to south, is characterized by a wide range of climatic zones, from the snowy "Isa City" in the north to the subtropical "Amami Islands" in the south. The complex and diverse climatic environment is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Within the diverse climatic zones of Kagoshima Prefecture, we can discover a Japan that we have not yet found.
Here we will introduce you to Isa City, the northernmost city in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Isa City

About 30 minutes by car from "Isa Station" of Hisatsu-Orenji Railway, you will reach "Isa", the northernmost part of Kagoshima.
Blessed with beautiful nature and water, Isa is a city where rice and vegetables are very delicious.
It is also famous for its snowfall, which is rare in the mild climate of Kagoshima. Cherry blossoms in spring, deep green in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscape in winter. No matter when you visit, you can feel the beauty of the four seasons.

waterfall

Soginotaki Falls
Soginotaki Falls
Spirng in Isa City
Autumn in Soginotaki Falls
Remains of Sogi Power Plant
Rice terrace in Isa City

KEYWORD of TRAVEL

Soginotaki Falls

Boasting a spectacular scale, this is the largest waterfall in Kagoshima, called the "Niagara of the East". The roaring sound of the water as it flows down the rock face of the Senjo-iwa Rock is so powerful that it takes your breath away.
In spring, cherry blossoms add color to the scenery, and in the rainy season of summer, the volume of water increases, creating spectacular sight. In the fall, autumn leaves and gingko trees float on the waterfall's surface, enchanting people in every season.
Remains of Sogi Power Plant

1.5km downstream of Sogi Falls, a modern industrial heritage site that still retains a strong trace of the Meiji era. Completed about 110 years ago, it laid the foundation of Japan's chemical industry.
The site is now submerged under water and cannot be seen, but only during the drought season from May to September, a brick building reminiscent of a medieval European castle comes into view.
Hanamushiro

With borrowed view of Sogi Falls, this popular restaurant offers Isa's local cuisine and souvenirs.
You can enjoy dishes made with Isa rice, Kurobuta pork, Jidori chicken, local vegetables, buckwheat flour, and other ingredients.
In particular, the Hokusatsu specialty "soba jui," a slow-cooked dish of fresh vegetables and handmade buckwheat noodles, is a must-try when visiting Isa City.