Looks like we were in for a nice day, although there was a chill in the air early in the morning. Best to take the heavy jackets just in case. Today there were shuttle buses available to take us from the isolated pier area to the center of downtown in the Tenmonkan area. Not as large as Osaka, Kagoshima is the largest city in southern Kyushu, having a population of 600,000 residents.
The terminal building was more of an information center. Good thing this was offered, because we had a heck of a time trying to gather practical information on how to get access to the sights in the city. Since we usually depend on the ship's lectures, we are finding that what we hear is not always enough to make us feel comfortable exploring on our own. At least both ports so far in Japan have had excellent maps and printed info for getting around town. The locals behind the desk today were quite willing to answer our many questions. With maps ready to mark, the girls suggested places we could easily walk to from the bus drop off point. Of course we asked where we could find pizza. The youngest gal of the group had an answer for us immediately. An older man quickly added that we were in Japan, and we must try sushi. Allergic to many types of fish, that would not work well for one of us. It's simply easier to say, yes, we might try that too.
Armed with a handful of pamphlets and maps, we tossed around the idea whether or not we needed to buy the transit passes here. We could have taken the subway system, most buses, and trolleys for the entire day for 1000 yen each. That also would have had the ferry to the volcano included as well. Since the guides said we could walk to the sights within 10 to 15 minutes in every direction, we chose to walk instead.
There was no line for the bus, so we boarded right away, and were headed into the city after 10am. All of the bus tours had left, so the pier was empty. The ride took about 30 minutes, and we got dropped off right in downtown. There were three local guides waiting for us to debark the bus, and answer questions. They pointed to the direction we needed to go. Crossing at the main street, we came across someone sitting against a light pole, covered with a strange-looking plastic bag. Getting closer, we noticed it was a woman with her possessions in a few bags around her. She was the only down and out person we saw today.
Following the flower lined streets, we ran into friends Jim and Jessica, who had just left a small grocery store. They said we had to see the $22 cantaloupes, and $2 apples, each wrapped like a gift. We located the meat and poultry section, and found that a small thin steak that cost $9. There were many shelves filled with sweet items. And lots of chocolate, because they celebrate Valentine's Day too.
We located the " Tenmonkan" Arcade, which looked like it went on forever. Much more modern than the one in Osaka, it was a place you could get lost. There are side streets off the main drag, each one looking much the same as the last one. Most of the stores were higher end than what we saw in Osaka. And much nicer restaurants. Hoping to find more Pachinko places, we were disappointed that we found none. Maybe we were at the wrong end.
We found another information shop with restrooms. They had even more detailed maps with great information. In English too. Somehow, we wandered into the center of the historic part of town at Chuo Park. Here we walked through the park, taking many photos of the monuments, museums, fountains, and bronze statues. Looking towards the side of a mountain, we were drawn to a very tall Terukuni Shrine. It looks more like a portal that Japan is famous for.
Tiered on the roadside, were a series of ponds that were full of extra-large koi carp. Semi-tame, they swam over to us looking for food. At least 40 years ago, we had created a koi pond in our first backyard surrounded with rose bushes and lawn. It actually earned us an award for Garden of the Month, which we were thrilled about. In time, however, the running water attracted raccoons, who eventually got every fish we owned. So much for the pond, since after we moved, we never dug another one. We had a swimming pool put in instead.
At the base of the mountain and the Shiroyama Observatory, we climbed many stairs to the Tanshoen Garden and two monuments and statues. Flying overhead, were a couple of golden eagles, intent on hunting down some pigeons that were taking shelter in the trees. We were surprised at the absence of birds here, as we only saw a few small ones here and there.
Continuing on, we back-tracked to the main Arcade to the wide street where many hotels were located. Very near the Kagoshima Washington Hotel Plaza, we found the pizza restaurant. The name was Affro de Buono, and was situated in the lobby of the hotel. Quite a small café, they had a wood-fired pizza oven, and as we soon discovered, served a delicious margarita pizza and two Cokes. Our cute young waitress did her best to answer our questions, especially when we asked how large the pizzas were. She indicated perhaps 10 inches in diameter, so we said fine. If it was not as large as we expected, we could always order another one. It took about 20 minutes to come, but it was more a personal size pizza. If we had more time, we would have ordered the second one, but we did not.
One more stop interested us and that was the Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier. The small park in front of the new church had the only remaining front entrance still standing. Along with a statue of St. Xavier, it is all that is left after the war. By the way, he was responsible for introducing Catholicism to Japan, although eventually, they were driven to practice the religion in secret.
On our way back towards the bus stop, we went into their Dollar store or Yen store. It was called the 100 Yen Store. Wanting to use some of the coins we had collected, one of us purchased three hair ties and one small bag of chocolate cookies with chocolate chips. Can never get enough chocolate right? The sale came to the equivalent of under $4 USD. With Nagasaki coming up tomorrow, we should be able to spend the rest of the coins there. Of course, there is always the donation box at the front desk, saving you the problem of taking pounds of change home with you.
A line had formed at the bus stop, but moved quickly. The driver was equipped to load any type of walker or wheelchair for the folks that needed them. Looking down the side streets, we noticed that we had been close to the Waterfront area, where the Kagoshima City Aquarium was located. Also there was a waterfront park, the Boardwalk, and Dolphin Port with shops, restaurants, and cafes. The ferry to Sakurajima Geopark was right there as well. Maybe next time……
Back at the pier, we had to laugh, because a whole lot of elderly local folks had gathered by the ship to watch us leave. This port area, an obvious landfill, was designed as a park with a running track and place for kids to play, rides bikes, or fly kites. Restrooms facilities were close by, and plenty of seating was available. It is quite possible that this is also a staging area for summer fireworks. Across the pier area, there was the Central Wholesale Fish Market, where auctions occur for the deep water catch and everything else marine you can imagine. However, these auctions take place too early in the morning for us to see them. Again, maybe next time……
Even though we had been required to carry our passports with us today, no one ever inspected them. Tomorrow's port in Nagasaki will be different, as that will be our last stop in Japan. We understand that a departure stamp will be checked before the ship leaves.
One thing that we did notice was that there was an alcohol collection table near the xray machine on A deck. They were collecting all types of alcohol that had been purchased today. This is the first time we have seen this so thoroughly enforced on a Grand Cruise.
Gene, the CD, announced that a police brass band would be playing for all on the pier while we sailed away around 5pm. Grabbing the good camera, we headed to deck nine instead of three, to get the best overall view. Most every one of the elderly folks, little kids, and their parents waved orange flags from the pier as they bid us farewell. In our opinion, it is refreshing how well we were received and more so, how polite and respectful the Japanese folks treated us. Perhaps what goes around, comes around……something we heard many times from our folks as we grew up.
Just as Captain Jonathon blew the horn, one of the large eagles flew out of some shoreline pines. We got some great photos of it before he soared towards the hills.
Sailing out of the massive Kagoshima Bay kept us at the aft pool until after sunset at 6pm. Having overheard that people spotted dolphins early this morning, we kept our eye out for any signs of pods. A good indication of feeding dolphins is seeing birds over them. We only saw a few scattered lone sea gulls, and no dolphins….darn. There was a nice sunset however. With so much volcanic matter hanging in the air, an orange haze gave the sunset a lot of color on the horizon.
Another volcano across from Sakurajima was Mt. Kaimon at 3032 feet. There are some hot springs resorts and natural steam sand baths in that area. Ubusuki, as it is called, is touted as the sunshine and health zone, even in the winter. Mt. Kaimon is sometimes referred to as "Mt. Fuji of Satsuma". The deep crater Lake Ikeda near there has eels that grow to six feet long.
It was dark by the time we left the back deck and almost dinnertime for us. We noticed that the lower dining room was about vacant at 8pm, because most everyone had eaten early, and were off to bed, we suspected. You can usually guess that is the case when you see the breakfast menus hanging on the doors in the hallways, along with the "do not disturb" signs in the keyslots.
All of us showed up to the table, sharing our excursions of the day. Scoop seemed quieter than usual, and appears to have lost his voice. Something going around with the crew and guests alike, which we certainly hope is not contagious. Maureen and Jim never left the ship, resting up for a full day tour in Nagasaki tomorrow. Doubt any of us will attend the show with Tom Brisco, a stand-up comedian. Maybe next time he is on…..or not.
Bill & Mary Ann
The bay area of Kagoshima
Spacious pier area
Planted with many young palm trees
Information center
The buses wait for the tours
Parking lot for the locals
The city looms in the distance
We were the only ship in port today
One stand was selling the local liquor
Seawall
Typical buildings in downtown
Mostly modern
One of many bridges
There is an old woman under the plastic bag
Street shrine
Violas bloom freely
Flower beds everywhere
Many stores
An historic building
Street cars
Figures represent the founding fathers
Many flowers for sale
Apples – about $2. each
Cantaloupe was 2480 Yen or $22.
Small tomatoes 156 yen
Thin slice of steak was about $10.
Sushi and prepared meals
A little of everything makes a meal
Pizza, but oh so small
A bagful of tiny dried fish
Sweets packaged nicely
Tully's is a coffee house here
The start of the Arcade
Miles of covered shopping arcade
The Tenmonken Arcade sign
Much larger, but more expensive than in Osaka
Many, many specialty shops
Looking towards the mountainside
Chocolate pancakes….now that's a good idea
Walking towards the center of town
Modern buildings
History of Kagoshima area
This is what Kagoshima looked like centuries ago
A tower of flowers
Chuo Park
A Japanese Hall
Fountains and pond
Different clock tower
These lawns were being watered by hand
Flowing waters indicate purification
Very decorative
Historic building could have been a museum
Similar to the scene of Pompeii in Naples, Italy
Bronze statue of Saigo Takamori
This marks the photo spot
Can you read this? Perhaps many can….
Museum
This area was full of museums
Bonsai trees
Gas lamp district
Lights of civilization
The story is…….
Modern art
Well-pruned trees
Surrounded by new buildings
A series of koi ponds
The Terakuni Shrine
Very old structure
Koi carp
So many we lost count
Every one different
Brilliant in the sun
Orange and black
Multi-color
Clean and well-kept ponds
Terukuni Shrine
Looks as if he is floating in the air
Begging for fish pellets
Someone feeds them daily
Wish we could read this
Start of the ponds
Follow the sign
Tanshoen Garden
Weeble wobble toys for kids
Entrance to the garden
