Sakurajima Volcano & Kagoshima Private Day Tour

0
PRIVATE
From¥135,000
PRIVATE
From¥135,000
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Have questions about a specific tour? Want to create a custom trip? We are happy to help craft your perfect Kyushu adventure. Get in touch and let’s start planning!

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Aida profile picture
Aida
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Понравилось все! Мы успели посмотреть все, что запланировали! Гид Mr. Jun замечательный! Очень рекомендую! Водопад Сакура было открытием для нас! Сами мы бы его точно не нашли. Все прошло замечательно, непринужденно и легко, не смотря на жарку погоду, так как нам был обеспечен комфортабельный автомобиль, холодные напитки
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Mike T profile picture
Mike T
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Kei was great. We used his services in April and were very pleased, so we requested another tour in June. He helped plan our customized 6 day tour and made suggestions based on input. He always kept us up to date and picked us up/dropped us off at our hotels and always accompanied us to all the attractions and made sure we were comfortable and safe during the trip. We visited Hakata, Amagase, Yufuin, and Beppu. He took us to 9 waterfalls, shrines, historical attractions, Onsen, and mushroom farm. He is very flexible. On the last day, we talked about a safari nearby and changed the plan to visit the safari in place of the scheduled attraction. During the trip, my wife became ill and his colleague took us to a clinic for an exam and a pharmacy for prescriptions. He speaks fluent English, excellent knowledge about the attractions, flexible, and a very nice person. Highly recommend Kyushu Immersion.
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Justin c profile picture
Justin c
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Even though our tour had to be cancelled because of the severe weather, Kei went above and beyond to make sure we were safe and doing okay. He continued checking in with us throughout the days and even gave us helpful advice on how we might still visit the museums by taxi once the weather improved. We really appreciated his kindness, communication, and genuine concern for us. Although we were disappointed that the tour could not happen, Kei’s support made a stressful situation much easier. We would absolutely book with him again when we return to Hita.
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Cody H profile picture
Cody H
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We had an excellent tour from Kei! We really loved going to some of the sights and experiences outside of the major tourist areas in Oita - we had the opportunity to visit the Kuju flower park, cook onsen eggs in a rustic hot spring, and visit the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge. Kei was very knowledgeable and customized the tour to what we were interested in. He even showed us a roadside rice polisher which we had heard about and thought was very cool, so he found one in Beppu and told us all about it! Kei was beyond welcoming and pleasant and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to go beyond the typical sights and experience true local knowledge.
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Incredible I
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It was a great experience working with the Kyushu team. We are IIJ, a travel agency based in India, and we chose the Kyushu team to handle our guests' Beppu Tour arrangements. Our guests had an excellent experience and thoroughly enjoyed their trip. A special mention goes to the KEITA HIROSE & driver Mr. Jun Matsuo, who was extremely helpful and assisted our guests very well during the trip. We truly appreciate the outstanding service provided by the Kyushu team and look forward to working with them again in the future.
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Emelia J
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Great experience with the local cooking class. Both the teacher and translator were so nice and welcoming. Would highly recommend!
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Thomas D profile picture
Thomas D
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Everything was perfect and exactly as advertised, with no surprises at all. The guide was especially kind and caring. I highly recommend the tour about Attack on Titan. That's amazing for fans. I honestly don’t see how I could have visited these places without him. Thank you so much for everything!”
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C R profile picture
C R
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Onta Pottery Village-I feel extremely lucky to have found Keita. His knowledge of Hita and the surrounding area is phenomenal. My husband and I experienced a truly personal tour of this special village. The potters are considered a part of Japan’s Important National Intangible Cultural Property. Keita also arranged to have an artist accompany us for this tour as he was very familiar with the village and its residents. My father visited this same village over 20 years ago and I was able to meet one of the same potters that my father met over 20 years ago and son of another potter. We also traveled to a stunning gorge in a surrounding area. Japan has such a wealth of artists in every medium. If you want to witness first hand the beauty of Japan, I highly recommend you go with Keita.
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Shawn v
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Our private tour with Kyushu Immersion was the undisputed highlight of our time in Oita. If you want a day trip that perfectly blends natural wonders, local culture, and incredible food, this is the way to do it. 🌋 The Spectacular "Hells" We spent the morning exploring the famous Jigoku, and seeing the contrast between them was stunning. The vibrant cobalt of the "Blue Hell" (Umi Jigoku), the striking rust-red of the "Blood Pond Hell" (Chinoike Jigoku), and the bubbling, mesmerizing mud of the "Grey Hell" (Oniyama/Onishi-Bozu Jigoku) were all incredible photo opportunities. Our guide provided fantastic context that made these geological wonders even more fascinating. 🏮 Authentic Backstreet Wandering One of our favorite parts of the day was stepping off the main tourist path. We walked the backstreets of Kannawa, where steam literally rises from the gutters and cracks in the pavement. It felt like stepping back in time, and we loved seeing how the locals have lived alongside this geothermal energy for centuries. 🍱 The Ultimate Steamed Lunch For lunch, we experienced Jigokumushi (Hell Steaming). There is something so satisfying about cooking fresh seafood and vegetables using nothing but the earth’s natural steam. It was healthy, delicious, and a truly interactive way to eat that we’ll never forget. 🐒 Wildlife at Monkey Mountain We capped off the day with a visit to Takasakiyama Monkey Park (Monkey Mountain). Standing just inches away from hundreds of wild Japanese macaques was an adrenaline rush! Watching the social hierarchies and the babies playing was the perfect way to end our outdoor adventure. The Verdict Kyushu Immersion handled every detail with professional ease. They knew exactly how to pace the day so we saw the big sights but also felt the "soul" of the city in those quiet backstreets. If you're in Beppu, don't miss the chance to see it through their eyes!
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Douglas H profile picture
Douglas H
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We enjoyed a wonderful day touring Beppu and Kitsuki with Kyushu Immersion Tours! We emailed several times with Kei in advance of our trip to outline our interests and desires. He was very creative and flexible to create a unique and custom itinerary for us. This allowed us to experience much more than was possible with a normal cruise excursion. Our private, personalized tour also allowed us to visit places where tour buses cannot go. Our personal tour guide, Ayu, was wonderful! She provided her own local flavor to our tour as we visited little known places in her home town. We stopped at several different places to try a variety of local food. She also introduced us to the local Kabosu fruit which we loved! Ayu was considerate of our needs during the day and was considerate to accommodate our schedule and wishes. Kei went out of his way to come and greet us at the end of our day once he had finished his own tour. We loved our time with Ayu and highly recommend her, Kei, and the entire Kyushu Immersion team
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6.5 Hours
From Kagoshima
Max People : 8
Tour Details

Stand in the shadow of an active volcano, and discover the city that lives in its embrace. Kagoshima is a place shaped — quite literally — by Sakurajima, the smoking peak that rises from the sea just beyond the city. On this private tour, we cross Kinko Bay by local ferry for a close encounter with the volcano itself, trace the raw aftermath of its eruptions, and taste the fermented traditions that have grown in its fertile soils. In the afternoon, we step into the grand Sengan-en garden — a UNESCO World Heritage site that frames Sakurajima as its own backdrop, and tells the story of how samurai from this far southern domain quietly led Japan into the modern age. Travel comfortably in a private vehicle with your expert local guide, and see Kagoshima as locals know it — alive, resilient, and shaped by fire. This tour follows a carefully designed route that captures the essence of Kagoshima in a single day; minor adjustments to timing can be accommodated upon request.

  • Cross Kinko Bay by local ferry — a 15-minute mini-cruise with sweeping views of Sakurajima.
  • Learn the volcano's dramatic history.
  • Tour a traditional kurozu (black vinegar) brewery in Fukuyama and enjoy a bayside lunch.
  • Explore Sengan-en, a UNESCO World Heritage garden that borrows Sakurajima itself as its backdrop.
  • Travel comfortably and stress-free in a private vehicle, just for your group.
  • Enjoy a fully flexible tour, shaped around your interests and your pace.
  • Uncover local secrets and hidden stories with your personal, friendly guide.

Meeting Location

Primary Area: Kagoshima Cruise Port or your hotel in Kagoshima City.
*Pick-up at your hotel or any preferred location available.

Ending Location

Return to the same point that the tour starts.

Departure Time

Flexible (between 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM)

Languages Available in

English, Japanese

Price Includes

  • English Speaking Local Guide
  • Private, air-conditioned vehicle + driver
  • All vehicle expenses (fuel, tolls, parking)
  • A fully personalized itinerary
  • Pickup and drop-off in Kagoshima City
  • Sakurajima Ferry fare

Price Excludes

  • Entrance fees for all attractions
  • Your food, drinks, and snacks
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
Itinerary

Please note: This is a sample itinerary based on a 9:00 AM start time. As this is your private tour, the start time is fully flexible and we will adjust the schedule accordingly.

10:00 AMYour Hotel in Kagoshima / Kagoshima Cruise Port

We’ll meet you at your hotel lobby or chosen pickup point in Kagoshima. After a friendly hello, we’ll set off together in a comfortable private vehicle, just for your group. *Hotel pickup is available.

9:30 AMSakurajima Ferry — A Mini-Cruise Across Kinko Bay

We board the Sakurajima Ferry, a working local line that locals use every day. For about 15 minutes we cross the calm blue waters of Kinko Bay, with the city skyline receding behind us and the great smoking peak of Sakurajima growing steadily ahead. A quiet, cinematic approach to the volcano.

10:00 AMSakurajima Visitor Center

We begin on the island at the Sakurajima Visitor Center, where your guide walks you through the volcano’s remarkable history — the massive eruptions that have shaped the region, the mechanics of what still rumbles beneath, and the quiet resilience of the people who have chosen to make their homes in its shadow. A grounding introduction to everything we’re about to see.

11:00 AMArimura Lava Observatory

A short drive brings us to Arimura, a dramatic viewpoint perched on the vast black lava fields of the 1914 eruption. From here, the smoking Minamidake crater rises close enough to feel its presence. Together we take in one of Kyushu’s most powerful landscapes — jet-black solidified lava stretching out before us, with small plants and trees quietly reclaiming the land. A moment of raw natural scale, perfect for photographs.

11:40 AMKurokami Buried Shrine Gate

We continue on to one of Sakurajima’s most striking historical sites. In January 1914, the island’s great eruption buried the entire village of Kurokami in ash within a single day. Today, only the top crossbeam of the village shrine’s torii gate still protrudes from the earth — the rest, nearly two meters tall, lies forever beneath. A quiet, haunting reminder of what this landscape is capable of.

12:20 PMLunch at a Kurozu Brewery in Fukuyama

Crossing by bridge from Sakurajima to the mainland, we drive to Fukuyama — the historic home of Kagoshima’s traditional kurozu (black vinegar). Here we visit a working brewery where thousands of earthen jars sit outdoors in neat rows, slowly fermenting under the southern sun in a method unchanged since the Edo period. We take a short tour of the jar fields, then settle in for a leisurely lunch overlooking Kinko Bay — a kurozu-based meal that showcases the region’s distinctive fermentation culture.

 

2:00 PMSengan-en Garden

Our afternoon takes us to Sengan-en, a magnificent 17th-century garden built by the Shimazu, the samurai clan that ruled this region. What makes this garden extraordinary is its use of shakkei — the Japanese art of “borrowed scenery” — framing the mighty Sakurajima itself as a distant mountain within the garden’s composition. But Sengan-en holds a second, equally remarkable story: this is where, in the 19th century, the Shimazu quietly built Japan’s first modern blast furnace and shipyard, laying the foundation for Japan’s industrialization. Today the garden is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site honoring that legacy.

3:30 PMTour concludes

Our day together comes to a close as we drop you off at your hotel or another preferred spot in Kagoshima.

Where to Meet

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