[2025 Kirishima Attraction] Travel Guide for Kareigawa Station (Updated May)

Kagawa Station is the oldest station in Kagoshima Prefecture, more than 100 years old, this station is made of wood, here you can feel the strong nostalgic atmosphere, as if time has stopped 😝 We also bought this 3 consecutive years in the station in the JR Kyushu Railway Bento Awards "Century Journey Bento", which won the first place in the JR Kyushu Railway Bento Awards, that day we were very lucky, just bought the last 😙 Railway Bento I itself is average, but delicious 😝 #Japan Attractions

\\Points// The retro wooden station building, built over 100 years ago, is a historic building that has been designated as a registered tangible cultural property. The station, which stands alone in the forest, is popular with tourists. It's only a 7-8 minute drive from Kagoshima Airport, so be sure to stop by. It was a very nice station! Information current as of September 2022. #breathtakingview #touristtrain #railroad #forestbathing #photogenicspot #kagoshima #hiddenstation #triptokagoshima

#cherryblossom25 Tucked away near Kagoshima, Kareigawa Station is a timeless treasure you can’t miss during cherry blossom season. This charming wooden station has stood for over 120 years, quietly witnessing the passage of trains and seasons. Every early April, cherry blossoms burst into bloom on both sides of the railway, creating a dreamlike scene as trains glide beneath pink canopies. Adding to the magic, the station’s beloved “station master” is a cat! Best photo spots include the road junctions on both sides of the station and the staircase in the adjacent park. You can reach Kareigawa either by transferring trains via Hayato Station (about 1 hour) or by a 10-minute bus ride from Kagoshima Airport—just be sure to plan ahead, as services are limited!

It lies on the north side of Kagoshima Bay, at the junction of the Satsuma Peninsula and the Osumi Peninsula, and borders Miyazaki Prefecture. Here's a travel guide to Kirishima City, Japan: Recommended Attractions - Kirishima Shrine: The largest shrine in southern Kyushu, originally built in the 6th century, it has a rich cultural heritage and ancient history. It enshrines Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the central figure in Japan's founding mythology, and houses a giant sacred tree that is 800 years old. The architecture is mainly vermilion, with red-lacquered, gold-topped beams and pillars, brightly colored reliefs, and the largest torii gate in western Japan, allowing visitors to experience a rich, classical Japanese style. - Kareigawa Station: The oldest station in the Kyushu region, and still an unmanned station in operation, it opened in 1903. The station is a wooden structure, with a wooden ticket window, old benches in the waiting area, and other historical features. The JR Kyushu limited express train "Hayato no Kaze" stops here, attracting many photography enthusiasts. - Kirishima Onsen: Located in northern Kagoshima's Kirishima, the hot springs gush from mountains at altitudes of 1500-1700 meters, including "Kirishima Onsen" and "Kirishima Shrine Onsen." It is a nationally renowned hot spring resort in Japan, where you can enjoy the double charm of hot springs and autumn leaves in the fall. - Onami Pond: Located at an altitude of 1411 meters, on Mount Kirishima at an altitude of 1240 meters, it has a diameter of 630 meters and a depth of 11 meters. It was formed 40,000 years ago due to volcanic activity on Mount Kirishima. You can enjoy the autumn leaves in autumn and winter, and overlook the spectacular crater lake from the hiking trail. The trail is well-equipped, making it easy for even novice hikers to reach the summit. Recommended Food - Black Pork Dishes: Try Kagoshima's famous "Kurobuta Tonkatsu" (black pork cutlet) and other black pork dishes. - Seafood: Kirishima City is located by the sea and has abundant seafood resources. You can enjoy fresh fish, shrimp, crab, and more. - Onsen Eggs: In the hot spring area, you can enjoy onsen eggs, which have a delicate texture. Accommodation Recommendations - Near Kirishima Shrine: Convenient transportation, close to Kirishima Shrine and other attractions. - Near the Hot Spring Area: Enjoy easy access to the hot springs and experience the service of Japanese hot spring hotels. Transportation Guide - Airplane: You can first arrive at Kagoshima Airport and then take an airport limousine bus or JR to Kirishima City. - Train: From Kagoshima Chuo Station, it takes about 50 minutes by JR to reach Kirishima-Jingu Station.

Located in Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Kyushu, Japan, Kirishima City offers a wealth of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, making it a paradise for travel enthusiasts. First, the Kirishima mountain range is a must-see attraction. This is an active volcano with repeated eruptions, and the volcanic activity of Shinmoedake and Ohachi is particularly prominent. Ascend Mount Kirishima for a panoramic view of the rolling mountains and experience the magnificence of nature. Mount Shiratori, Mount Karakunidake, Lake Byakushi, and Lake Onami are also excellent choices for hiking enthusiasts. Next, Kirishima Shrine is also worth a visit. As one of Japan's shrines, Kirishima Shrine appears particularly mystical in the morning light. The vermillion torii gates and the serene path leading to the shrine make you feel as if you've stepped into another world. Of course, Kirishima City also has famous hot spring areas. Iōdani Hot Spring and the Maruo Onsen district are both great places to relax and unwind. Here, you can enjoy the tranquility of a private hot spring or experience the unique culture of a mixed-gender bath. Remember to try the local black pork, a delicacy steamed using volcanic geothermal heat, offering a delicious taste. In addition, Kirishima City's artistic atmosphere cannot be ignored. In the Kirishima Open-Air Museum, contemporary sculptures complement the volcanic moss, showcasing a unique blend of natural and cultural landscapes. The combination of railways, ancient roads, and Takachiho Farm makes you feel as if you've traveled through time. In Kirishima City, you can also savor local specialties such as black vinegar hot pot. At the same time, you can experience the local nightlife at an izakaya and feel the unique charm of Kirishima City. In short, Kirishima City is a tourist destination that integrates natural scenery, cultural heritage, hot springs, and cuisine. Whether you enjoy hiking, soaking in hot springs, appreciating art, or savoring delicious food, Kirishima City has something to offer everyone.

Kirishima City is located in Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It lies on the north side of Kagoshima Bay, at the junction of the Satsuma and Osumi Peninsulas, bordering Miyazaki Prefecture. Kirishima City has many tourist attractions worth visiting. Here are some of the main ones: History and Culture - Kirishima Shrine: The largest shrine in southern Kyushu, it was built in the 6th century and has a rich cultural heritage and ancient history. It enshrines Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the central figure in Japan's founding myths. The shrine has a giant sacred tree that is 800 years old. The architecture is mainly vermilion, with red-lacquered, gold-topped beams and pillars, brightly colored reliefs, and the largest torii gate in western Japan, allowing visitors to experience a rich, classical Japanese style.  - Kareigawa Station: The oldest station in Kyushu, it is also an unmanned station still in use today, having started operations in 1903. The station is a wooden structure, with a wooden ticket window, waiting area, and old benches, all full of history. The JR Kyushu limited express train "Hayato no Kaze" stops here, attracting many photography enthusiasts. Natural Scenery - Kirishima Onsen: Located in northern Kagoshima, Kirishima's hot springs gush from mountains at altitudes of 1,500-1,700 meters. It includes "Kirishima Onsenkyo" and "Kirishima Jingu Onsenkyo," and is a nationally famous hot spring resort in Japan. In autumn, you can enjoy the double charm of hot springs and red leaves.  - Onami Pond: Located at an altitude of 1,411 meters, Onami Pond sits at an elevation of 1,240 meters on Mount Kirishima. It has a diameter of 630 meters and a depth of 11 meters, and was formed 40,000 years ago due to volcanic activity on Mount Kirishima. In autumn and winter, you can admire the maple leaves. Standing on the well-maintained hiking trail, you can overlook the spectacular crater lake, making it easy for even novice hikers to reach the summit.  - Mount Takachiho: Located on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, the Takachiho River Gorge Visitor Center at the foot of the mountain has a wealth of information, including terrain models. The mountain slopes have terraced rice paddies and tea fields, and the mountainside is a reddish-brown cliff face. The color of the peak varies at different times of the day. - Maruo Waterfall: Fed by the upstream Rinda Onsen and Iou-dani Onsen, Maruo is a hot spring waterfall. The waterfall emits steam, and the water strands form columnar textures on the cliff face after the sulfur lava cools. When lit up at night, the light is softened by the water mist, giving the waterfall a captivating charm.  Art and Leisure - Kirishima Open-Air Museum: Built on the Kirishima mountain range at an altitude of 700 meters, this art museum covers an area of 130,000 square meters. It is a huge outdoor showplace, making use of lawns, forests, and waterfalls, and harmonizing with the abundant sunlight of the south. The museum features works by artists such as Yayoi Kusama. - Kakujida: Japan's first black vinegar restaurant, it is a comprehensive facility where you can enjoy food, tour the production process, and shop. The restaurant's own farm grows organic vegetables, and there is a black vinegar lunch made with seafood from Kagoshima Bay, Kagoshima black pork, and Japanese Black beef. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Tsubota and Sakurajima.