Kagoshima is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture at the southwest tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. It has been nicknamed the 'Naples of Japan', for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate and impressive stratovolcano, Sakurajima.

As of 1 January 2005, the city has an estimated population of 605,650 and the density of 1,107.81 persons per km². The total area is 546.71 km².

In 2003, the city had an estimated population of only 554,136 and density of 1,911.41 persons per km². 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, Sakurajima, and Yoshida --- were merged into Kagoshima City on 1 November 2004.

Kagoshima is a well-equipped cosmopolitan city, with an international airport, a full complement of hotels, large shopping districts and malls, served by trams, and probably the finest Satsuma region cuisine: 'kibi' (tiny fishes), tonkatsu (caramelised pork, as opposed to the breaded version encountered elsewhere in Japan), finest smoked eel, and Karukan—sweet cakes made from steamed yam and rice flour. A large, modern aquarium has been installed on the old docks overlooking the volcano. The exceptional traditional Japanese garden of Senganen (Isoteien) is just outside the city.

In December 1547, in Malacca, Francis Xavier met a Japanese nobleman from Kagoshima called Anjiro. Anjiro had heard from Francis in 1545 and had travelled from Kagoshima to Malacca with the purpose of meeting him. Having been charged with murder, Anjiro had fled Japan. He poured his heart out to Francis Xavier, telling him about his former life and the customs and culture of his beloved homeland. Anjiro was a samurai and as such provided Xavier with a skilled mediator and translator for the mission to Japan that was his inevitable future. “I asked [Anjiro] whether the Japanese would become Christians if I went with him to this country, and he replied that they would not do so immediately, but would first ask me many questions and see what I knew. Above all, they would want to see whether my life corresponded with my teaching…All the Portuguese merchants who have come from Japan assure me that by going there I could render God our Lord much service, and more than among the peoples of India, because the Japanese are a race greatly given to the exercise of reason.” Thus intrigued, Xavier baptized Anjiro—who was now called Paulo de Santa Fe—and began to plan for a mission to this recently discovered land. Anjiro helped Francis Xavier to translate a few paragraphs of Christian doctrine into phonetic Japanese which Xavier learned by heart.

He returned to India in January 1548. The next 15 months were occupied with various journeys and administrative measures in India.

Then due to displeasure at the unchristian life and manners of the Portuguese, which impeded proselyting work, he went forth once again into the unknown Far East. He left Goa on April 15, 1549, stopped at Malacca, and visited Canton. He was accompanied by Anjiro, two other Japanese men, the father Cosme de Torrès and Brother Juan Fernandez. He had taken with him presents for the "King of Japan", since he was intending to introduce himself as the Apostolic Nuncio.

The opening of the full Shinkansen line will demonstrate the true effect of bullet train service by connecting Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo in about one hour and 20 minutes. Travel from Seoul, South Korea to Kagoshima will take only about six hours by using Korea Train eXpress (KTX), a Beetle high-speed jet foil and Kyushu Shinaknsen. JR Kyushu is focusing its efforts on the early commencement of the full service.

JR Kyushu

The Kyushu Rail Pass is the perfect ticket for Kyushu sightseeing and travel. The use of this pass enables passengers to board the Kyushu Shinkansen's Tsubame, the pride of JR Kyushu, and the Sonic, a limited express, as often as they like while the pass is valid. Ticket holders also can use any Kyushu Railway Co. trains as often as they like while the pass is valid.
Kyushu has many sightseeing destinations, such as Beppu's hot spring resorts, Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture , and Sakurajima in Kagoshima . Make the most of this ticket to enjoy all of Kyushu to your satisfaction.