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Kagoshima

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Kagoshima is a major city located in Japan.

Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505
Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505

It serves as the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city sits at the southwestern tip of the island of Kyūshū. It covers the northeastern part of the Satsuma Peninsula. The city also includes the entire area of Sakurajima. Because of its bay location, hot climate, and the presence of the Sakurajima volcano, it is nicknamed the "Naples of the Eastern world." This nickname compares it to the famous city of Naples in Italy.

The geography of the region is defined by the Aira Caldera. This is a large bay located near the city. The most famous landmark is Sakurajima, which is a stratovolcano. A stratovolcano is a type of volcano built up by many layers of ash and lava. Sakurajima is constantly erupting and sends ash over the city. Residents have developed specific ways to cope with this. For example, school children often wear helmets to protect themselves from falling volcanic debris.

SakurajimaFerry
SakurajimaFerry

Kagoshima has a humid subtropical climate. This is known scientifically as the Köppen classification Cfa. The city has the highest year average temperature in mainland Japan. The seasons are very distinct. Winters are mild and relatively dry. Springs are warm and humid. Summers are hot and humid. Autumns are mild and relatively dry. This warm weather makes the area quite different from northern parts of Japan.

The history of Kagoshima is tied to the Shimazu clan. They moved into the area around 1340. The city was the center of the Satsuma Domain. This domain was one of the most powerful and wealthiest in Japan during the Edo period. The city was also a center for Christian activity. In 1549, the missionary Francis Xavier landed on the coast at Gionnosu. However, religious bans were later imposed on Christianity in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

高見馬場 - panoramio
高見馬場 - panoramio

Kagoshima played a vital role in Japan's modernization. During the Bakumatsu period, the city faced conflict with foreign powers. In 1863, the British Royal Navy bombarded the city. This was a punishment related to the Namamugi Incident. Later, nineteen young men from Satsuma traveled to the United Kingdom. They studied Western science and technology. This effort helped stimulate Japan's Industrial Revolution. The city was also the birthplace of Tōgō Heihachirō. He became a legendary Chief Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy. He led the fleet to major victories in the Russo-Japanese War during 1904 and 1905.

The city has also faced significant modern challenges. During World War II, the city was targeted by air raids. On June 17, 1945, the Army Air Corps dropped 809.6 tons of bombs. This destroyed 44.1 percent of the built-up area. The city was targeted because of its naval port and its role as a railway terminus. Later, in 1993, the city experienced a major natural disaster. Torrential rains on August 6 led to flooding and landslides. This event resulted in 49 deaths and is known as the "August 6 heavy rain disaster."

Today, Kagoshima is a large and connected municipality. As of January 1, 2020, the population was estimated at 595,049. The population density was 1,087 persons per km2. The city has grown through several administrative mergers. In 2004, five different towns were merged into Kagoshima City. This significantly increased the total area of the city.

JP Expressway E3
JP Expressway E3

Transportation and economy are central to modern life. The city is a regional center for commercial fishing, tourism, and light manufacturing. Travel is much faster now thanks to the Kyushu Shinkansen. This high-speed rail line connected Kagoshima-Chūō Station to Hakata Station in 2011. This reduced the travel time to just 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505
Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505

Visitors can also use the Sakurajima Ferry to travel across the water.

SakurajimaFerry
SakurajimaFerry

The city offers many sites, such as the Sengan-en Garden and the Kagoshima City Aquarium.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Kagoshima prefecture population pyramid 2020.svg
Kagoshima prefecture population pyramid 2020.svg
File:SakurajimaFerry.jpg
SakurajimaFerry.jpg
File:Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505.jpg
Kagoshima-Chuo Station 20180505.jpg
File:高見馬場 - panoramio.jpg
高見馬場 - panoramio.jpg
File:Ibusuki Skyline Ends.JPG
Ibusuki Skyline Ends.JPG
File:JP Expressway E3.svg
JP Expressway E3.svg
File:JP Expressway E31.svg
JP Expressway E31.svg
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