Kagoshima

Kagoshima (kah-goh-she-mah) City is the capital and largest city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island. 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.

Kooriyama, Matsumoto, Kiire, Sakurajim and Yoshida towns were merged into Kagoshima City in 2004 increasing the population to 605,000 and nearly doubling the land size. Located on the bay the city 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 installed on the old docks overlooks the volcano on Sakurajima Island. A great place to view the city and 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 just outside the city reminds visitors of Japanese’s love for beauty and nature. Although the beautiful St. Xavier church stands as witness of the first Christians arriving in Japan, still less than 0.5 percent claim to be Christian after many years of Christian influence. Most have never heard the gospel presented so they can understand and accept it.

Prayer Requests:

•   Pray that people witnessing the volcano’s eruption will recognize there is a God and want to know Him.
•   Pray for laborers to have a vision to reach this city for Christ and will come and plant the seed of the gospel.
•   Pray for abundant fruit that results in thousands coming to Christ with multiplying disciples and churches throughout the entire city and prefecture.