Kagoshima
Kagoshima 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.
In 2005 the city had an estimated population of 605,000 and a total land area of 546.71 km². In 2003, the population was on only 554,000 and the total area was 289.91 km². The reason the city's total area was nearly doubled between 2003 and 2005 is that five towns --- Kooriyama, Matsumoto, Kiire, Sakurajim and Yoshida were merged into Kagoshima City in 2004.
Kagoshima 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).
A large, modern aquarium been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano on Sakurajima. The Sengan Japanese garden is just outside the city. St. Xavier church is a reminder of the first Christians who came to Japan. 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 which give a 360-degree view from 91 meters above the ground. Imagine praying for the city from there!!
Pray for Kagoshima
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... [more]
A great end to a long search
A san was a junior high student who was a victim of bullying when she met a missionary who shared God’s love for her and helped her prepare for high school entrance exams. Over the next years as... [more]
