Shiroyama

Shiroyama is a 107-meter mountain located in the middle of Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture. At the summit—reachable via walking trails—are Shiroyama Park and Shiroyama Observatory, where you can overlook Kagoshima City. It is strongly connected to Saigo Takamori: he took his own life here, and during the Satsuma Rebellion the Satsuma army’s headquarters was placed here, so many history fans and Saigo fans visit. Don Hiroba, the former Satsuma army headquarters site, was named because a cannon used to signal time (‘don’) was placed there after the war. You can also see Saigo Takamori Cave, where he spent the final five days before his death, and a stone monument marks the place as ‘Saigo Takamori’s Final Place.’ Other historical remains related to Saigo, such as the former Shigakko site and Tsurumaru Castle ruins, are also in the area. At the foot of the mountain stands the Saigo statue, easily viewable by anyone, as if guarding Shiroyama. Shiroyama is also rich in nature, with a large camphor tree said to be 400 years old and over 600 species of subtropical plants. Access: about 10 minutes by car from Kagoshima-Chuo Station.