Kagoshima (kah-goh-she-mah) City is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island and is by far the largest city in the prefecture. It has been nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern world” for its bay location, hot climate and volcano island, Sakurajima. This volcano has erupted over 250 times in 2010 although the eruptions are not large.
Toyama Castle
In 2005 the city had an estimated population of 605,000. Kooriyama, Matsumoto, Kiire, Sakurajim and Yoshida towns were merged into Kagoshima City in 2004 increasing its populations significantly and nearly doubling its land size. The city is located on the bay and is surrounded by fruit producing areas.
Kagoshima City is a sight seeing center for south Kyushu and features large shopping districts and malls, is served by trams, and has many restaurants featuring Satsuma regional cuisine: kibi (a kind of tiny fish), tonkatsu (caramelized pork, as opposed to the breaded version encountered elsewhere in Japan), smoked eel, and karukan (sweet cakes made from steamed sweet potatoes and rice flour). The city of Satsuma, Alabama near Mobile gets its name from the Satsuma mandarin oranges native to Kagoshima.
A large, modern aquarium has been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano on Sakurajima Island. One of the best places to see the city and the active volcano across the bay is from the Ferris wheel on top of ‘Amu Plaza’, the new shopping center attached to Kagoshima Central Train Station. The wheel has two completely transparent gondolas that give a 360-degree view from 91 meters above the ground. Imagine praying for the city from there!!
The beautiful Sengan Japanese garden is just outside the city and reminds visitors of the Japanese love of beauty and nature. The St. Xavier church is a reminder of those first claiming Christianity as their faith arriving in Japan. Even after many years of Christian influence less than 0.5 percent claim to be born again Christians. Most have never heard the gospel presented so they can either accept or reject it.
Prayer Request Starters:
- Pray that people when people witness the volcano erupting they will recognize there is a God and want to know Him.
- Pray for laborers to have a vision for reaching this city for Christ and come and plant the seed of the gospel.
- Pray for abundant fruit that results in thousands coming to Christ with multiplying disciples and churches all across the city and prefecture.
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