1Kirishima Shrine

Don't miss the collaboration between the national treasure and the weeping cherry tree

Kirishima Shrine is one of the must-see spots for sightseeing in Kirishima. It is a historic shrine that is said to have been founded in the 6th century and enshrines Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the protagonist of the myth of the descent of the grandson of the heavens. In 2022, the main hall, offering hall, and worship hall were designated as national treasures.
From late March to early April every year, the approximately 200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees, along with weeping and double-flowered cherry trees, bloom in full glory, captivating visitors. Shots of the weeping cherry trees with the worship hall in the background are particularly beautiful, and many photographers visit the shrine to take pictures. The combination of the vermilion torii gates and the cherry blossoms, and the pink petals decorating the approach to the shrine are also pleasures that can only be enjoyed at this time of year.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yaezakura, Weeping cherry, etc.

Kirishima Shrine

• https://kirishimajingu.or.jp/
• 2608-5 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 12 minutes by car from JR Nippo Main Line "Kirishima-Jingu" Station
• Take the bus from JR Nippo Main Line "Kirishima-Jingu" station, and get off at "Kirishima-Jingu"
• Feel free to visit the grounds (※Prayers and other requests, and reception at the shrine office are open from 8:00 to 17:00)
• Open daily
• free
• 0995-57-0001
• Yes (free)

2Kirishima Myth Village Park (Kirishima Roadside Station)

A scenic spot overlooking Kinko Bay and Sakurajima through the cherry blossoms

This park is located about a 7-minute drive from Kirishima Shrine. It is located on high ground at an altitude of 670m, so on a clear day you can see Kinko Bay, Sakurajima, and even Kaimon-dake in the distance.
From late March to early April, the Sakura Garden in front of the roadside station is in full bloom with about 500 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees. The view of Kirishima, rich in nature, seen from the high ground over the cherry blossoms is spectacular. Every year, on a Sunday during the cherry blossom season, a "Sakura Gathering" is held, with performances of the Kirishima Kumen Taiko drums and the distribution of local sweets.
The large park also has a wide range of attractions, including a road train, a sightseeing lift, a 390m long super slider, and a putt-putt golf course. There is also a roadside station called "Kirishima" where you can buy Kirishima's specialty products and enjoy local cuisine made with Kirishima black pork at Restaurant "Hot Kirishimakan." It's a spot you can enjoy all day long.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Type of cherry blossoms] Somei Yoshino and others

Kirishima Myth Village Park (Kirishima Roadside Station)

• https://www.shinwanosato.jp/
• 2583-22 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Kirishima-Jingu Station
• Take the bus from JR Kirishima-Jingu Station and get off at the Kirishima Shinwa-no-Sato Park Entrance
• 9:00～17:00
• Open everyday (※Play Property will be closed for one week in June due to regular inspections)
• Sightseeing lift (round trip): 600 yen (ages 4 and over)
  Super Slider: 600 yen (ages 4 and up. Children under 6 must be accompanied by a guardian)
  Road train (one way): 200 yen (ages 4 and over)
  *For further details, please check the official website.
• 0995-57-1711
• Yes (free)

3Shiroyama Park

Enjoy the Ferris wheel and go-karts along with the best views and cherry blossoms in full bloom.

This park is located about a 10-minute drive from downtown Kirishima. It is located on a 192m high hill and is a scenic spot overlooking the Kirishima Mountains to the north, Sakurajima and Kinko Bay to the south, and the Kokubu Plain below. Every April, the park is bustling with visitors, with around 550 cherry trees and 30,000 azaleas in full bloom. There is also a large lawn area, perfect for spreading out a sheet and enjoying cherry blossom viewing. There are also plenty of playground equipment, so you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in a variety of ways, such as riding the Ferris wheel to see the cherry blossoms in the park from above, riding go-karts along the cherry blossom-lined course, or riding the Nami Roller Slider through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.

Additionally, a swing-shaped object called the "Time and Space Swing" has been installed in the observation plaza, making it a popular photo spot where you can take photogenic shots with the scenery of Kokubu city, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima in the background.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, Yaezakura, Yamazakura

Shiroyama Park

• https://www.kirishima-sjc.or.jp/shiroyama/
• 3819 Kokubu Kamiogawa, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Kokubu Station
• April to September 9:30 to 18:00, October to March 9:30 to 17:00
• Mondays (closed on public holidays, closed the following day) *Open every day from July 20th to August 31st
• 0995-46-1561（城山公園管理事務所）
• Yes (free)

4Maruoka Park

A spectacular pink landscape decorated with approximately 2,000 cherry trees

This vast park, covering a total area of 27 hectares, is located on a hill overlooking the Kirishima mountain range. There are approximately 2,000 cherry trees in and around the park, and many people from inside and outside the prefecture visit during the flowering season. You can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while taking in the magnificent pink scenery from the viewpoint "Maruoka Ohashi Bridge," admiring the weeping cherry trees that are over 100 years old in the Japanese garden, and taking a leisurely stroll through the spacious grounds. The park is also lit up at night (from sunset to around 9 p.m.) to coincide with the peak viewing time each year, creating a slightly different atmosphere from the daytime.
It is also a famous azalea viewing spot representing Kagoshima Prefecture, where you can enjoy about 50,000 colorful azaleas along with the cherry blossoms.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Types of cherry blossoms] Somei-yoshino, weeping cherry, azalea

Maruoka Park

• https://kirishimappp.com/maruoka
• 3590-9 Kamino, Yokokawacho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 8 minutes by car from JR Osumi Yokogawa Station
• April to September: 9:00 to 18:00, October to March: 9:00 to 17:00
  Property 9:00-17:00, Restaurant: 10:00-18:00 (meals: 11:00-)
• Property and Restaurant are closed on Tuesdays (open on public holidays, closed the following day) and January 1st.
• 0995-72-1362（まるおか桜苑）
• Yes (free)

5Tadamoto Park

One of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the prefecture, where you can enjoy the night cherry blossom tunnel and food stalls

This famous cherry blossom spot is located in Isa City, in the northernmost part of Kagoshima Prefecture. It is about an hour's drive from downtown Kirishima. Known as the ultimate cherry blossom viewing spot, it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots" (selected by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association), and is famous for its approximately 2km long row of cherry trees known as "Senbonzakura."
The "Tadamoto Park Cherry Blossom Festival Week" is held every year from late March to early April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. During this period, stalls are lined up on the pedestrian-only roads within the park, and the park is in full festival mode. The cherry blossoms are also fantastical at night, lit up with lanterns. You can enjoy the different expressions of the cherry blossoms during the day and at night. On weekends in late March, markets, flea markets, and music events are also held to liven up the cherry blossom viewing crowds.

[Best time to see cherry blossoms] Late March to early April
[Type of cherry blossoms] Somei Yoshino and others

▼Tadamoto Park Cherry Blossom Festival Week
Date and time: March 22, 2025 (Sat) - April 6, 2025 (Sun)
detail: https://www.city.isa.kagoshima.jp/blog/info-prompt/62453/

Tadamoto Park

• https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/guide/10953
• 2484-193 Oguchi Harada, Isa City, Kagoshima Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 58 minutes by car from JR Kirishima-Jingu Station
• 0995-29-4113（伊佐市役所地域振興課）
• Yes (free)