Best Time to Visit Kagoshima

When Is the Best Time to Visit Kagoshima?

March to May and October to early December are the best times to visit Kagoshima.

March to May

March to May is the very period when Kagoshima is warmly embraced by spring season. With the average high temperatures ranging from 18-25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit), and average lows from 9-17℃ (48-63℉), you feel very comfortable during most of the day. If you are going to visit in the early spring 2026, just remember to bring an extra outer coat to cope with the temperature gap between day and night. Although the rainfall in spring in Kagoshima is relatively high throughout the year, second only to summer, the number of rainy days each month averages around 10 to 13, and heavy precipitation only occurs a few times. This means the probability of you encountering bad weather is small, which is favorable for your trip.

Cherry Flowers in Full Bloom

Blue Sea of Kagoshima under Clear Sky

Above all, the scenery in spring is incredibly captivating, with lush green grass covering the ground and trees sprouting fresh buds and tender leaves, presenting a vibrant and lively scene everywhere. Particularly from late March to early April, during the cherry blossom season in Kagoshima, streets and parks are adorned with stunning cherry blossoms. Here are some top spots to enjoy the cherry blossoms:

1. Sengan-en Garden: There are 1,000 cherry blossom trees in the garden, and it is also one of the best viewing spots for the famous active Sakurajima Volcano in Kagoshima. If lucky, you can also witness the spectacular eruption of the volcano.

2. Hirakawa Zoo: Here are a wide variety of cherry blossoms, and many different animals, which is particularly suitable for taking children to enjoy the cherry blossoms while watching these cute creatures.

3. Yoshino Park: The terrain here is flat and spacious, with a wide view, making it an excellent place to admire cherry blossoms.

See more about: What are Best Sakura Months in Japan?

October to Early December

Since October, Kagoshima has shed the scorching heat lingered from summer and welcomed cool, pleasant autumn breezes along with mild weather. By virtue of its southernmost location of Kyushu, Japan, Kagoshima is still suitable for traveling and sightseeing even in early December of early winter; with the daytime generally maintaining at 12-18℃ (54-64℉), you would not feel too cold. In addition, the precipitation during this period is so low, with no more than 8 rainy days per month. Therefore, you’re prone to meet good weather and gain a delightful travel experience.

Visiting Kagoshima in October, you would still be surrounded by lush natural scenery. By November when it’s much cooler, the leaves start to change their color from green to classic autumn hues. Accordingly, travelers for Kagoshima autumn foliage are best to visit during mid-November to early December when places like Kirishima Jingu Shrine and Sengan-en Garden are full of red maple trees.

See more: Japan Fall Foliage Forecast

Autumn View in Kirishima Jingu Shrine

Wearing Kimono in Comfortable October

The Best Time to Experience Local “Sand Bath”: Mid-December to February

Mid-December to February is the coldest time of the year in Kagoshima, though not frigid at all compared to other regions of Japan. As a place with temperate winter, Kagoshima is renown for its
“sand therapy”. If you’re interested, Ibusuki Onsen is highly recommend where you can experience the most authentic “sand bath”. Lying in the sand that has been warmed by hot springs can not only drive away the cold, but also soothe the meridians of the whole body, making it a very special and healthy travel experience.

Unfavorable Times to Visit Kagoshima: June to September

June to September can be regarded as the most unfavorable time to visit Kagoshima in consideration of the easy-to-occur bad weather conditions.

Kagoshima Weather in July

To be more specific, June to July is the rainiest period, while July to September is very hot and typhoon-prone. In summary, traveling during these months is easily affected by weather disturbances. Of course, excluding the influence of weather factors, the summer scenery in Kagoshima is still very beautiful, and there are also exciting summer festival activities, such as the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Festival held in late August every year. Therefore, if you only have free time to travel during this period, here are some very necessary advice:

Summer Night Fireworks Festival

1. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and avoid going out in case of typhoon or heavy rainstorm.

2. The ultraviolet rays are very strong in these months, so it’s necessary to take good sun protection measures, such as applying sunscreen with high SPF (sun protection factor) and wearing sun protection clothing.

3. Always prepare a plan B for your itinerary: In case of rain or excessive sunlight at noon, choose indoor attractions such as Kagoshima City Aquarium and Museum of the Meiji Restoration for sightseeing.

Other Travel Tips

The Sakura season and autumn foliage season, as well as the New Year period from late December to early January and Golden Week of Japan in late April to early May are high travel seasons in Kagoshima, meaning more crowded popular attractions and higher prices for air tickets and accommodations. For a smooth and economical travel experience, it’s recommended that you book your tickets and hotels ahead of schedule.

Crowds in Kagoshima during High Season

The daytime in winter is relatively short, and the sun usually sets around 4-5 pm. In addition, some top attractions of Kagoshima are far apart, so it is particularly recommended that winter tourists choose accommodation locations with convenient transportation and start their daily itinerary early.