Living in Kagoshima: Guide for Foreigners
From tropical beaches to volcanoes and mystical forests, Kagoshima is the perfect place to see the wild side of Japan. It’s a beautiful location for those who want to experience traditional Japan and stay in touch with nature, while the town of Kagoshima also has a lively social and cultural scene that allows expats to enjoy a balanced and comfortable life.
Kagoshima by Steffen Flor is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Kagoshima Area Guide
Kagoshima is best known for its natural attractions, and one of the most intricate things about the city itself is its beautiful view of the active volcano Sakurajima. To get there, you can take the ferry from the Kagoshima Harbor and witness the small daily eruptions from one of the safe observation points.
Kagoshima prefecture is home to the Kirishima National Park, containing a string of volcanoes, hot springs, and beautiful forests that you can explore through one of the hiking trails. The Yakushima forest is just as impressive, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to thousand-year-old trees, beautiful beaches and was the inspiration for the famous Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke.
Kagoshima by Patrick Müller is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Kagoshima City is home to beautiful public parks, such as Shiroyama Park, but also offers a range of fascinating museums. Shoko Shuseikan is a museum located in Japan’s first factory and now exhibits 10,000 artifacts, including calligraphy and glass pieces. Kagoshima City Museum of Art is the place to go if you want to learn more about both the past and present of Kagoshima’s arts and crafts scene.
Living In Kagoshima
Though Kagoshima is not first on the list of popular expat areas in Japan, it’s getting more and more open towards foreigners every year. There are around 10,000 foreign residents in the city, including those from other Asian countries, but also Europe and North America. Occasional expat meetups are organized to allow foreigners to meet and share their experience of living in the city.
Medical and other institutions are able to cater to international residents, and the Kagoshima International Association organizes regular events and has prepared living guides to make adapting easier for foreigners.
Kagoshima City by Drho is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Kagoshima is known for its great food, and you’ll never run out of new and exciting restaurants to visit and try out. They mainly serve local dishes, but you will also find a surprising number of Italian eateries and U.S.-inspired fast food spots. The most popular way to navigate through Kagoshima city is their tram line, which connects to the Ibusuki Makurazaki train line for distant journeys.
The cost of living in Kagoshima is significantly below the Japanese average and is one of the things that makes it attractive for those who want to live on a budget. You will have no problem finding a nice apartment for below 50,000 yen per month, and purchasing prices are also quite low if you’re looking to invest long term.
Wrapping Up
Kagoshima by Patrick Müller is licensed under CC BY 2.0
If you want to live surrounded by natural wonders, in a friendly and authentic Japanese environment, you will quickly fall in love with Kagoshima. Surrounded by majestic forests and volcanoes, yet offering everything you need for a comfortable life as a foreigner, it’s a beautiful home that will save you money, give you a peaceful life and keep you in touch with nature and Japanese tradition.
Sources: Nomad List, Jetro, Numbeo, Internations, City Cost, The Crazy Tourist, Japan Travel, Gaijinpot
Editorial Department
Bringing you the latest real estate & lifestyle news in Japan