Tenmonkan Hondori (天文館本通り)

Flow of the course

About this spot

Kagoshima's largest downtown district, centered on a covered arcade lined with restaurants, shops, and department stores. This area is said to be the birthplace of Kagoshima's famous “Shirokuma” (White Bear) shaved ice — a mountain of shaved ice topped with sweetened beans and fruit — a perfect break during hot summer sightseeing. It's also a great spot to pick up souvenirs or sample Kagoshima's local food, and spending some easygoing time here before the fireworks helps build the mood for the evening. Since it's covered by an arcade, it can handle sudden summer showers too, making it a handy rest stop between outdoor sightseeing.

Tips

About 20 minutes by bus or tram from the Sengan-en Mae bus stop; get off right at Tenmonkan tram stop. There are several Shirokuma shaved ice shops, and lines can form during the summer tourist season, so allow extra time. Buy souvenirs now and stash them in a coin locker or at your hotel so you can move around freely until the fireworks.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 15 minutes. Early afternoon crowds thin out from the morning rush, making it a relatively easy time to get around.

Access & map

Tenmonkan Hondori, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture