Japan as the land of the rising sun is never running out of options when it comes to the tourism offerings, as the mesmerizing culture and history of the country and its people have pulled in many tourists from around the world. As the "Naples of the Eastern World", the city of Kagoshima certainly deserves the merit of its own and is worthy of visiting the next time you are in Japan.

Best time to fly from Manila to Kagoshima

The climate in Kagoshima, in general, can be said to be humid all year-round with the average temperature between 8.5 degree Celsius in January to 28.5 degree Celsius in August. As such, the peak time to visit Kagoshima is usually around June to August during the summer season with warm temperatures that are decent and comfortable to go out. Therefore one can expect prices to go up around this time. The off-peak season to visit Kagoshima is typically around September to November during fall. This is because around this time, rain is common and humidity is much higher than usual. As a result, it would not be that great an idea to explore the many attractions that can be found in the city. Visitors should check the weather reports before going to this town. The good thing about the low season is that you will find better flight tickets and hotel deals around this season, which is mesmerizing for a bargain hunter.

Main airports available in Manila and Kagoshima

Ninoy Aquino International Airport – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport is an international airport that is currently serving the Greater Manila Area, being the main international gateway into and from the Philippines as well as to other regions within the country. Also known as NAIA or Manila International Airport by the locals, the airport is located at the Pasay - Parañaque border, which can be found 7 kilometres south of the Manila city and the city of Makati from the southwest direction. The airport is the hub for airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and Philippine AirAsia. This airport consists of four different terminals, namely Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4 meant to cater to different segments with a shopping mall located at Terminal 3. Access to and from the airport is easy since the airport is well-connected to the city by buses, jeepneys and cars traversing through the roads.

Kagoshima Airport – The Kagoshima Airport is one of the main airports in the region of Kyushu that is serving the city as well as nearby areas, being the second busiest airport in the Kyushu after Fukuoka Airport. Located in Kirishima which is about 40 kilometres east of the city centre of Kagoshima, it has a domestic terminal, international terminal and a cargo terminal. Operated jointly by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as well as Kagoshima Airport Building Company, it is open since 1972 to replace a former military airfield. At an elevation of 272 meters, the airport has an asphalt runway that is 3,000 meters long. Kagoshima Airport is the hub for Japan Air Commuter and New Japan Aviation. Access and transport to the airport are not too hard since the airport is accessible via buses, taxis, JR trains, Keisei trains and rail lines.

Climate pattern in Manila and Kagoshima

Kagoshima as a city is said to be having a humid subtropical climate according to the Köppen climate classification which is characterized by hot, humid summers, dry winters, wet springs and relatively dry falls. In a similar fashion to the rest of Japan, Kagoshima has also experienced a seasonal lag that could go up to one month. The average temperature usually could reach an average high of 22.8 degree Celsius whereas the average low could go down to 14.9 degree Celsius. The precipitation is about 2,265.7 millimetres annually, in which the frequency will vary between months, the wettest months being the months of June and July. If you plan to visit Kagoshima, kindly take into account the climate pattern mentioned above and make sure you book your flight and hotel early if you are keen to come to Kagoshima during the peak season given the fact that they will get booked quickly.

Highlights attractions in Kagoshima

• Sakurajima – It certainly feels incomplete to go to Kagoshima without mentioning Sakurajima. Translated as "cherry blossom island" in English, Sakurajima is the most active volcano in Japan. Its volcanic activity is continuing till this very day, with the last eruption occurring in 2017. It is part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park, with the lava flowing from the mountain becoming a major tourist attraction. In addition to exploring the mountainous area, several hot spring resorts can be found just nearby the area.
• Sengan-en – Sengan-en is a Place of Scenic Beauty according to the Japanese government and is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Shoko Shuseikan. This Japanese garden was built in 1658 by Shimazu Mitsuhisa which utilizes the view of Sakurajima across Kagoshima Bay as a borrowed scenery. In addition to that, it also comprises of small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove. The garden is built to circle the Iso Residence which was once used as the residence of the Shimazu clan.
• Museum of Meiji Restoration – Kagoshima is lucky to be an important site during the Meiji Era, and such is what makes Kagoshima a good location for the Museum of Meiji Restoration. Found at Kajiyacho which is nearby the Kotsuki River, visitors can come over here to learn more about the Meiji Restoration period, which is a monumental period in Japan that eventually leads into its modernization. One can also expect to have a closer look at the artefacts from that era that are kept in this museum.