A road trip through Osumi Peninsula to the southernmost point of mainland Japan
You’re planning a trip that will begin at Kagoshima Airport and take you through nature- and culture-rich Kirishima before a scenic coastal drive south down the Osumi Peninsula. You’ll be staying in the city of Tarumizu, which offers fantastic views of Sakurajima, an active volcano, and then continuing toward Cape Sata, the southernmost point of mainland Japan. This two-day journey will include stops in popular local hotspots and hopefully give you a feel for a lifestyle that is deeply rooted in the land.
Exploring Kirishima’s art and culture before heading to Tarumizu
Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Sakurajima is located in Tarumizu, the gateway to the Osumi Peninsula. Facing Kagoshima Bay (known locally as Kinko Bay), it’s ideally situated for a road trip along the coast.
09:20 Kagoshima Airport
10:00 Kirishima Open Air Museum
13:00 Voila Coffee
15:00 Buried torii gate of Ushine Fumoto Inari Shrine
15:45 Picking up lunch at Nakata
16:45 Michi-no-Eki Tarumizu Hamabira
18:00 Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Sakurajima
Day 1 Total Distance: 121.12 km
Day 1 Total Travel Time: About 3 hours 25 minutes
On Day One, you’ve decided to travel by car from Kagoshima Airport to Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Sakurajima—your overnight accommodation. On your way to Tarumizu, you plan on visiting a coffee shop popular with the locals, enjoying a unique art exhibition, and taking in views of Sakurajima, arguably Kagoshima’s most iconic landmark.
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Having arrived at Kagoshima Airport, you soak in the tropical atmosphere as you get into your car.
Kirishima Open Air Museum: An art museum nestled in a forest
Where Kirishima’s nature meets contemporary art
You head north from Kirishima until you arrive at Kirishima Open Air Museum. It’s situated on a plateau around 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level in the town of Yusui at the foot of the Kirishima Mountains. Opened in 2000, it has become known as one of Kagoshima’s top cultural destinations, blending nature with contemporary art.
The expansive grounds are dotted with original artwork created by artists from around the world, each of them taking inspiration from the nature and culture of the region. Pieces by renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama are woven into the surrounding forest and rolling terrain.
Walking trails stretching around 2 km (1.25 miles) connect different areas of the park, revealing changing scenery and artworks with each step you take. Encountering art amid nature feels liberating, and it resonates with you not only visually but also physically.
First: Sun Roots by Phillip King.
Third: Floating Form - Red by Keiji Uematsu.
Voila Coffee: Kirishima’s renowned coffee roaster
A store filled with people and the aroma of coffee beans
The first stop on your itinerary is Voila Coffee, a specialty coffee shop based in the Kokubu area of the city of Kirishima. As well as selling coffee beans, the store also offers drinks to go and hosts brewing workshops, making it a place where visitors can take a deep dive into the world of coffee. The shop also offers a variety of local sweets that have been specially selected to pair perfectly with the coffee.
The owner, Tatsuya Inoue, is well known for being discerning about the quality of his beans, and he is highly regarded by coffee enthusiasts across Japan. When you visit, he and his son are hard at work servicing the roasting machine at the back of the store.
Despite its popularity nationwide, the store remains a local hangout for regulars who often stop by to chat with Tatsuya while enjoying the aroma of the coffee beans lining the shelves. It’s a place where delicious coffee and human connections blend together in perfect harmony.
You continue driving toward Sakurajima, passing vast fields of tea typical of Kagoshima, the nation’s largest tea producer.
Buried torii gate of Ushine Fumoto Inari Shrine: A scene shaped by a volcanic eruption
Preserving the memory of volcanic disaster
You visit the buried torii gate of Ushine Fumoto Inari Shrine in Tarumizu. The gate was almost completely submerged in volcanic ash and pumice during the Great Taisho Eruption of Sakurajima in 1914. Today, only the very top is visible above the ground, serving as a reminder of the scale and force of the eruption.
Still preserved and maintained, the site offers visitors insights into the history of a region that lives alongside a volcano, and it has become one of the area’s key attractions. Sakurajima remains active, still occasionally sending plumes of smoke into the air. Being confronted with the physical evidence of a past eruption truly makes you appreciate the immense force of nature, as well as the resilience of the local people who live in its shadow.
Nakata: A husband-and-wife-run hot plate restaurant
Local flavors with a local delivery service
As the streets of Tarumizu come into view, you drop by Nakata. This okonomiyaki takeout shop first opened its doors 15 years ago when Morihiko and Masayo Nakata, a husband-and-wife team, decided to convert their newspaper delivery shop into a local eatery.
Masayo prepares the ingredients in the kitchen, while Morihiko mans the griddle. Managing the heat is no easy task, and this crucial step falls to him. Each okonomiyaki—a savory pancake made with cabbage and other ingredients—is cooked slowly over the course of around 30 minutes, giving it a light, fluffy texture.
Coincidentally, it also takes around 30 minutes by car from the Sakurajima ferry terminal to the restaurant, so regulars often call in their orders when disembarking there to ensure they’re ready by the time they arrive. The kaitenyaki cake filled with sweet red bean paste is another favorite, and many locals buy them as gifts for special occasions or to cheer up a sick friend or relative. Masayo even personally delivers to the local police station and other locations, a testament to how closely connected the restaurant is to its community.
Michi-no-Eki Tarumizu Hamabira: Taking home a taste of Tarumizu
Local specialties from the land and sea
Before checking in to Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Sakurajima, you stop off at the nearby Michi-no-Eki Tarumizu Hamabira in search of souvenirs. These roadside stations are located all around Japan, offering not just local produce and food, but even tourist information and crafts. You pick up some items that are exclusive to this michi-no-eki; among your finds are products made with locally grown ingredients from Tarumizu, such as cherry tomatoes and green beans, as well as vegetables not commonly grown in Japan, like parsnips.
Browsing the shelves, you’re struck again by how much food is grown, raised, and caught in Tarumizu alone. The products all make use of ingredients particular to Tarumizu, making your time spent choosing them an experience in itself. Even when your trip is over, you’ll be able to transport yourself back here just by enjoying the flavors of its souvenirs.
Unlocking an evening in Tarumizu with a handmade map at Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Sakurajima
Journey planning in the Lobby Lounge
You check in to the hotel and realize you still haven’t decided on dinner. A member of the staff gives you a handmade guide map of the surrounding area and a booklet produced by the Tarumizu Tourism Office.
The map highlights a comprehensive selection of nearby hot spring facilities and, more importantly, restaurants—including Itsuki and Yamaguchi, the staff’s recommendations. Both offer tempting seafood options, making it tough to decide between them. You find it useful that the map lists travel times from the hotel as well as 2D barcodes linking to navigation apps. The hot spring information is very detailed, even noting whether things like shampoo and conditioner are available, which gives the impression that the hotel staff have taken the time to check out the venues in person.
As you eye the books and crafts displayed in the library of the Lobby Lounge, your mind is filled with plans for the evening’s dinner and the following day’s itinerary. Even simple moments like this are one of the pleasures of travel.
Per Night Per Room from ¥15,730