Kagoshima Prefecture is located in the Kyushu region of Japan, with its capital city being Kagoshima City. The prefecture comprises two large peninsulas—the Satsuma Peninsula and the Ōsumi Peninsula—as well as numerous remote islands. It roughly corresponds to the historical provinces of Satsuma and Ōsumi. Historically, the region was governed by the Shimazu clan as the Satsuma Domain and played a key role in the Meiji Restoration during the late Edo period, producing many significant historical figures.
Geography and Terrain
In addition to mainland Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture includes many islands such as Yakushima, Tanegashima, Amami Ōshima, and Tokunoshima. The total number of islands is 1,256, making it the third-largest in Japan after Nagasaki and Hokkaido. Of these, 28 islands are inhabited, and the prefecture has the largest remote island population in the country. The prefecture stretches approximately 600 km from north to south and about 270 km from east to west, covering an area of 9,187 square kilometers—ranking 10th nationwide and the largest in western Japan.
The prefecture is dotted with active volcanoes such as Mount Kirishima and Sakurajima, with frequent volcanic activity. This has led to the abundance of hot springs, with around 2,730 sources—the second highest in Japan. Many bathing facilities utilize these hot springs. The land is largely composed of Shirasu (volcanic ash) plateaus, which drain well but are fragile and prone to natural disasters.
Climate
Due to its north-south expanse, Kagoshima Prefecture has a wide range of climatic zones. While the Ōkuchi Basin in the northern mainland sees snowfall, the Amami Islands experience a subtropical climate. Overall, winters are relatively mild across the prefecture, and summers are marked by long sunshine hours and high rainfall. Although hot summer days are common, extreme heat is rare, and recorded maximum temperatures tend to be lower compared to other regions in Japan.
However, the Satsuma Peninsula is prone to cold air masses from the East China Sea, making it one of the snowier areas in Kyushu during winter. Even central Kagoshima City has recorded snowfall exceeding 25 cm, and the mountainous regions of Yakushima experience snow almost every year. Occasionally, snow even falls in the lowlands of Tanegashima and Yakushima, making them the southernmost areas in Japan where snowfall is observed.
Natural Disasters and Typhoons
Kagoshima Prefecture is one of the most typhoon-prone areas in Japan. In particular, the Satsunan Islands (Ōsumi Islands, Tokara Islands, and Amami Islands) frequently find themselves in the paths of typhoons, earning the region the nickname "Typhoon Alley." Since 1951, the prefecture has recorded the highest number of typhoon landfalls in the country. Many destructive typhoons, such as the Makurazaki Typhoon and Typhoon Ruth, have passed through Kagoshima, causing significant damage across Japan.
Kagoshima Prefecture is a region characterized by its geographical breadth, diverse natural environment, and rich historical background. With its volcanoes, hot springs, remote islands, and abundant ecosystems, it offers multifaceted appeal and a unique culture where nature and human life coexist harmoniously.
