When I was 12, my late paternal grandmother told me, “When you have a score of more than 200 in your PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), I will take you to Japan.” Imagine that. It was everyone’s dream back then in the millennium years. To explore beyond our living environment. However, travelling was costly and everything had to be done through a travel agency. Therefore I studied hard that year, because I wanted to experience what it was like to be out of Singapore. I wanted to do what my friends had done. I wanted to know what they meant by the word “passport”.
I wanted to travel.
Badly.
Those reasons pushed me; she pushed me.
With because of that, I had my first ever flight experience in my life. That decision of hers made me who I am today.
I miss her.
Since then, I have been to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Nagoya, Sapporo. I became a Singapore Girl too. I worked with Singapore Airlines for 3 years and I have to say, it is the best job one can ever have. There won’t any stress (because I do not bring work home) and there won’t any politics (because I work with different people on every flight, and I am not sensitive by the tonality and words from bitchy seniors and “bitchy
wanna-be” juniors. Please pardon my language. I could not find another word to describe them.
Japan is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Their traditional culture, food, outdoor
activities and the simplicity of its travel just makes it the perfect travel choice. However, Japan is alway about Tokyo, how about getting out of the norm? How about Kagoshima?
WHAT TO EXPECT
Stay at Tenmonkan
Shopping is definitely one of the top priority when I’m travel. Kagoshima fits this description perfectly. Her popularity is still on the rise, hence the shopping is inexpensive. I spent hours browsing and ogling at the the huge varieties; from
clothes to cosmetics.
Japan’s products are top notch, and so I absolutely did not
worry about quality of products! The Tenmonkan tram stop make its easy to travel out of the area to explore the other parts of Kagoshima. Restaurants, some of which specialise in Kagoshima cuisine, as well as cafes and boutiques are
everywhere. Don Don Donki is 24 hours so there isn’t a single time that I was left hungry! If you are seeking for a night life, areas like Bunka-Dori and Yamanokuchi-Dori, are packed with bars and pubs. Also located within walking distance of
Tenmonkan are well-maintained grassy parks, museums, shrines, temples, and churches – a perfect area for a relaxing stroll!
A Visit to Sakurajima
Sakurajima is the symbol of Kagoshima. It is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. This volcano has multiple minor eruptions that occurs daily.
Kagoshima and Sakurajima are connected by frequent ferries that takes 15 minutes to get from one end to the other. It cost 160 yen for the ferry ride. The ferry terminal is a 10 minute walk from JR Kagoshima Station or a 5 minute walk from the Suizokukan-guchi tram stop. In fact the best way to travel around Kagoshima is to rent a car and drive around places.
The experience is more worth while but of coz the cost would be higher.
Experiencing Ibusuki Black Sand
A walk on the beach with rows of heads protruding from black sand on the Ibusuki Beach is the highlight experience of Kagoshima. After a journey on the JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki train (approximately 1 to 1.5hrs), I finally got to experience what it is like to immerse myself in nature’s creation; to feel Mother Earth and her pulse.
Alternatively, you may choose to take the Ibusuki-Chiran bus from Kagoshima Chûô Station, the Toppy hydroplane from Dolphin Port. It is very easily accessible, perhaps because it is such tourist spot, so there is nothing much to worry except to enjoy the sceneries as you head over to the southern part of
Japan.
I had a lot of fun exploring Kagoshima. I hope you enjoy the good food and the good company like I did! Have fun exploring!!
Xoxo
@melissalondonmickey