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 maximum temperatures ranging from 18-25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit), and minimum temperatures from 9-17℃ (48-63℉), you would 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 large temperature gap between day and night. Although the rainfall in spring is relatively high, second only to summer, heavy precipitation only occurs a few times. This means the probability of you encountering bad weather is small.

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, streets and parks are adorned with stunning cherry blossoms.

Top spots to enjoy cherry blossoms in Kagoshima:
1.    Sengan-en Garden: There are around 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: There 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.

October to Early December

Since October, Kagoshima has shed the scorching heat lingered from summer and welcomed cool, while pleasant autumn breezes often blow. By virtue of its southernmost location in Kyushu of 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 go during mid-November to early December when places like Kirishima Jingu Shrine and Sengan-en Garden are full of red maple trees and other autumn leaves.

Autumn View in Kirishima Jingu Shrine

Wearing Kimono in Comfortable October

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

Mid-December to February is the coldest time of the year in Kagoshima, yet not frigid at all since the minimum temperatures seldom drop to below freezing point. Instead, the temperature is mostly at 8-15℃ (46-59℉) during the day, which is perfect for experiencing the renowned “sand therapy” in Kagoshima. 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.

Visit Kagoshima in June to September: Bad Weather Disturbs

June to September can be regarded as the 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, meanwhile July to September is very hot and typhoon-prone. In summary, trip during these months is easily affected by bad weather. Of course, excluding the influence of weather factors, the summer scenery in Kagoshima is very beautiful, and there are exciting summer festival and activities, such as the Kagoshima Kinko Bay Summer Night Fireworks Festival held in late August every year. 

Summer Night Fireworks Festival

If you only have time to travel during this period, here are some very useful advice:
1. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and avoid going out in typhoon or heavy rainy days.
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 and wearing sun protection clothing.
3. Always prepare a plan B: 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 from late April to early May are high travel seasons in Kagoshima, meaning crowded popular attractions and high 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 sets early at around 4-5 pm. In addition, some top attractions of Kagoshima are far apart, so it is particularly recommended that tourists traveling in winter choose accommodations with convenient transportation and start their daily itinerary early.