Izumi, Kawauchi, Kushikino Travel Guides

The Izumi, Kawauchi, and Kushikino areas offer tourist attractions such as Kumano Shrine, Kashima Shrine, and Maruyama Park; sightseeing events such as the Gion Festival, Kawauchi River Fireworks Festival, and Otaue Festival; and local delicacies such as Karukan, Kagoshima Ramen, and Kasutadon.

Ijuin is located in the middle of the Satsuma Peninsula. The site of Ichi-Uji Castle, where Francis Xavier was authorized to preach in Japan, is now maintained as Shiroyama Park. There are also several kilns, including the Chinsugan Kiln, which preserves a 400-year tradition and exhibits giant white Satsuma vases.

Also in Oguchi is Sogi Falls, known as the "Niagara of the East," with a width of 210 meters and a height difference of 12 meters, offering a powerful view. The area around the falls is rugged and rocky, with an attractive rugged appearance. In season, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom, and cherry blossom viewing while taking a break on a bench along the promenade is a good idea.

The Izumi/Kawauchi area is also famous for the more than 10,000 cranes that migrate to the area during the winter. There is no other place in the world where such a large number of wild cranes overwinter in the vicinity of an urban area.

If you want to learn more about the ecology of cranes, you should visit the Izumi Crane Museum Crane Park. This is the only museum in Japan dedicated to cranes, and with 15 species of cranes from around the world on display, as well as the nest of a rare sandhill crane, you can become a bit of a crane doctor.

Located in the midst of nature, Shinonome-no-sato is one of the largest hydrangea gardens in Japan, covering an area of about 50,000 square meters. The "Gallery Sou" in the garden sells ceramics.

Another attraction is the "Izumi-Ruku Buke Yashiki", a group of samurai residences built by the Satsuma Clan for defense purposes. The Satsuma clan adopted a unique system of not having a castle in its territory, and most of the townscape from the Satsuma period remains as it was in those days.

Stone walls and samurai gates line the streets, and some of the mansions can be viewed inside and in the gardens. Visitors can also take a tour of some of the houses and their gardens, and watch the sightseeing ox carts slowly move through the streets, which is like stepping back in time.

After a day of leisurely fun and games, you can enjoy a full meal of local cuisine that makes the most of the local mountain and sea foods. Since the area is known for its tuna fishing, you can also enjoy a local B-class gourmet dish called "maguro ramen. Izumi Oyako Steak Gohan (Izumi Oyako Steak and Rice)," which is made from Izumi's specialty chicken and chicken eggs, is a new and highly anticipated menu item that can only be tasted in Izumi.