Discover Tarumizu

Tarumizu brings together historical traces of the Tarumizu-Shimazu family, gorges, ginkgo trees, and a ferry ride with views of Sakurajima. This gives your trip a range of possible focuses: you can take an interest in the area's history, explore natural attractions, or experience the scenery from the sea. When choosing a holiday rental in Tarumizu, it helps to first consider which of these aspects of the municipality you would most like to discover.

Tarumizu Fumoto and its history

Tarumizu Fumoto was governed by the Tarumizu-Shimazu family and was laid out around Hayashi Castle. Parts of the historic town plan can still be seen in deliberately angled sections of road known as masugata. Their shape is a distinctive feature of the town's traditional layout. Anyone interested in samurai history will find specific points of interest here, rather than just a single building to look at.

One notable structure is O-Nagaya, the oldest surviving wooden building in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is considered a tamon-yagura, a structure used as a guard post for samurai and as a weapons storehouse. The Tarumizu-Shimazu family cemetery is also part of the area's history: it was designated a national historic site in 2020. Otonok Shrine enshrines Shimazu Tadamasa, the founder of the Tarumizu-Shimazu family. Together, these different sites offer insights into the family, its history, and the architectural traces it left in Tarumizu.

The Tarumizu District Community Center created the “Tarumizu Historical Walk” map. It contains historical information about the Tarumizu District and can give you additional insight into its past. If you enjoy exploring this kind of background before or during a stay, Tarumizu Fumoto is a good starting point for discovering the area's history.

Gorge, viewpoints, and ginkgo scenery

Another side of the municipality can be seen at Sarugajo Gorge, at the foot of the Takakuma Mountains. It is a natural gorge with clear water and granite rock formations. Canyoning and hikes along the gorge are available there. So, alongside historical exploration, you can choose activities in a striking natural setting. The granite formations and water shape the character of the gorge, while canyoning and hiking appeal to different interests.

The municipality is also home to Takatoge Tsutsuji-ga-oka Park, at an elevation of about 550 metres. There is a viewpoint at the summit with a 360-degree panorama. Tarumizu Senbon Ginkgo is a scenic grove of about 1,200 ginkgo trees that turns golden yellow in season. These features offer a different emphasis from the historic townscape, with the focus here on views and seasonal changes in the landscape. The approximate elevation and number of trees give you a concrete idea of these two natural sites without confusing one with the other.

Regional specialities and views of Sakurajima

Local produce and cuisine are also among the things you can discover. Tarumizu Hamabira Roadside Station has a market selling local vegetables and specialities, as well as a restaurant serving seafood. A distinctive local fishing method is called Tontoko漁: shrimp are caught in Kinko Bay at a depth of 100 to 200 metres. This gives you the chance to encounter local food both at the market and through the description of a specific fishing method.

The Kamikaze–Tarumizu Ferry passes in front of Sakurajima and offers views of the volcano from the sea. This perspective differs from a stay on land and offers a distinct reason to experience the scenery from the water. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose among historic sites, nature experiences, local cuisine, and a ferry ride, depending on your interests. Which of these matters most to you may also shape your choice of a holiday rental in Tarumizu.

If you’d like to discover more places: Aira, Isa, Kirishima, Nakatane, Kamikawa, Kagoshima, Amami and Kanoya.

Back to the main travel overview: Kagoshima Prefecture.