Major city · Japan
Kirishima霧島
Two nights: one for the Kirishima mountain range and one for the city's museums and shochu distilleries. A day trip from Kagoshima is possible but rushed.
Kirishima is a city in Kagoshima Prefecture, at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range. It has hot springs, hiking trails, a museum of local art and the birthplace of Kurogirishima sweet potato shochu. Most visitors spend one night in the onsen area and one night in the city centre.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airport
- KOJ
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kirishima110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kirishima, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyKirishima is generally safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKOJ Kagoshima Airport (About 30 min by bus to Kirishima city centre; check bus schedules.).
- Getting aroundLocal buses connect the train stations, the onsen area and the museum.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup (ramen or udon)¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9)
- Beerdraught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,200–2,700 (≈ US$15–19)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (local)¥200–500 (≈ US$2–4) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Matsushita Museum of Art)¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) (check)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KOJ Kagoshima Airport (About 30 min by bus to Kirishima city centre; check bus schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kirishima: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses connect the train stations, the onsen area and the museum. A rental car gives more flexibility for the mountain trails. Taxis are available but limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
JR Nippō Main Line from Kokubu Station to Kagoshima-Chūō, about 40 min
Visit the Sakurajima volcano and the Sengan-en garden.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
Bus to Kagoshima Airport, then a 30 min flight or 2 h ferry to Yakushima
Ancient cedar forests and hiking; requires at least one night.
Door to door: About 2 h
JR Nippō Main Line to Kagoshima-Chūō, then the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line, about 1.5 h
Famous for sand baths and onsen.
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus from Kirishima Onsen area, about 30 min
Ebino Plateau has hiking trails and crater lakes.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kirishima Onsen area
Ryokan and onsen hotels near the mountain trailheads; best for hikers.
Kokubu area (city centre)
Business hotels and guesthouses near Kokubu Station; convenient for museums and restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ¥15,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥13,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Bus from Kagoshima Airport to Kirishima city centre, one way2 × ¥1,500 · check | ¥3,000 |
| Local bus one-day pass2 × ¥1,000 · check | ¥2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥9,200 |
| Trip total≈ ¥25,300 per person per day, bed included | ¥101,200≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle soup (ramen or udon) | ¥800–1,300 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Beer: draught in an izakaya / can at a konbini | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥2,200–2,700 (≈ US$15–19) |
| Bus ride (local) | ¥200–500 (≈ US$2–4) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Museum entry (Matsushita Museum of Art) | ¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hiking trails in the Kirishima range can be closed due to volcanic activity: check the Japan Meteorological Agency website before heading out.
- Buses run infrequently, especially on weekends and holidays: plan your connections.
- Kurogirishima shochu is widely available but some distilleries require a reservation for a tour.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Kirishima霧島
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Fukuoka (check the address); most other countries: consulates-general in Osaka, embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kagoshima Airport → Kirishima city centre, bus: about ¥1,500 (≈ US$11), about 30 min (check)
- Taxi Kirishima Onsen → Kokubu Station: ¥2,000–3,000 (≈ US$14–25)
- JR Kokubu Station → Kagoshima-Chūō: about ¥700 (≈ US$5), about 40 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kirishima. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Matsushita Museum of Art and Kirishima Onsen with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages for shochu distilleries and local restaurants with last orders.
- Hiking trail pages with current volcanic activity status and trail closures.
Sources
Ask about Kirishima
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