On our way to visit my family in Yakushima Island, we spent a couple of days in Kagoshima City.

Yamakataya department store across from the bus stop still had some holiday decorations a couple of days after Christmas.

On the next day, we went to Voilá Coffee in Dolphin Port. We’ve been ordering their coffee beans for the past few months based on recommendations made by Steve. The coffee shop isn’t large but they had a wide selection of their merchandise. They have 3 other shops around Kagoshima Prefecture.

Inoue Coffee Company Voilá

After strolling around the port area, we walked to the south east side of the city.

The statue of Saigō Takamori. He was “one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history,” a rebellious hero from Kagoshima.

A black cat and Kagoshima Modern Literature Museum building.

We walked up Mt. Shiroyama.

It was a very cloudy day with some rain, but luckily we got to see most of Sakurajima Island without clouds from the top of the hill. We didn’t make it to Sakurajima Volcano this time but it’s only 15-minute ferry ride away.

That night, we had dinner with some of Kagoshima WordPress community members. Both the shochu and local food were really good – thanks, Nishimura-san, Niinuma-san and everyone who came over! I wish I could have stayed longer but I had to take an early morning boat the next morning because of the forecast.

I shot this blue & white lights in Tenmonkan Archade on the way to the hotel.