Ichikikushikino (いちき串木野）is a city of 25,579 people (2025) in Kagoshima prefecture. The city is also renowned nationwide as the "Town of Tuna," boasting the largest fleet of deep-sea tuna vessels in Japan. For travelers, this translates into an opportunity to eat exceptionally fresh, high-quality tuna at local restaurants, such as the famous Maguro no Yakata (Tuna Hall).
The history and identity of Ichikikushikino are best understood through its three main pillars: gold, tuna, and its pivotal role in Japan's modernization.
For centuries, this area was one of Japan's leading gold-mining towns. While the original Kushikino Mine closed in 1966, its history is now a major tourist attraction. The old mine tunnels have been repurposed by the Satsuma Kinzangura, a unique distillery where visitors can take a tram deep into the cool, dark shafts to see where shochu (a Japanese spirit) is aged.
Historically, the city's most significant event occurred in 1865 at Hashima Port. This was the secret departure point for the "Satsuma Students", 19 young men sent to Europe in defiance of national policy. They went on to become key leaders in Japan's modernization, and this pivotal story is now told at the Satsuma Students Museum located right at the port.
While the area was historically ruled by various samurai clans and the modern city was formed by a merger in 2005, it is these tangible legacies of industry and modernization that define the travel experience today.
Ichikikushino has a mild, subtropical climate due to the warm Kuroshio Current, which keeps winters exceptionally mild with temperatures rarely dropping below 5°C (41°F). However, travelers must be aware of the distinct rainy season in June, which is extremely intense; the city often receives record-breaking downpours of over 500 mm (20 in) in this single month alone. This is immediately followed by a very hot and humid midsummer (July-August), with temperatures regularly exceeding 32°C (90°F). Furthermore, from late summer into autumn (approx. August-September), the city lies directly on the main path for typhoons and can be affected by strong storms.
There is no airport in Ichikikushikino. The nearest airport is Kagoshima Airport, and you can take the airport bus from Kagoshima Airport to Satsumasendai Station and take the subway.
By train
The Kagoshima Main Line passes through Ichiki Station, Kushikino Station, and Kamimura-Kakuenmae Station.
By car
As for the highway, the Minami-Kyushu Western Circulation Expressway passes, and there are Kushikino IC and Ichiki IC in the city. The Minami-Kyushu Western Circulation Expressway runs from Kumamoto to Kagoshima, and the Kyushu Expressway runs to Kitakyushu.
31.76364130.2051971Satsuma Students Museum (薩摩藩英国留学生記念館), 4930 Hashima, 896-0064, ☏ +81 996-35-1865. 10:00-17:00, closed Tu. Satsuma Domain was a British international student who learned cutting-edge technology and others in England in 1865 and tried to modernize Japan. The exterior is an image of the "Satsuma-style Yangok" with a Japanese tile roof on the exterior wall using red bricks in the early Meiji period. There is a museum shop and cafe, so you can enjoy British tea time. ¥300. (updated Sep 2025)
Satsuma Students Museum31.718098130.2686472Sanosa Maturi (さのさ祭り), 896-0015 asahi machi, ☏ +81 996-32-3111. 16:00-20:30. It is a festival of Ichikikushikino. With various stalls coming in, the event is held in July. Free. (updated Oct 2025)
31.752291130.2842633Satsuma Kinzangura (焼酎蔵 薩摩金山蔵), 13665 Noshita, ☏ +81 996-21-2110. Sa Su 10:00-17:00. Satsuma Kinzangura is one of Ichikikushikino's attractions, utilizing an actual Kushikino gold mine tunnel with hundreds of years of history as a shochu (Japanese spirit) distillery and aging cellar. Visitors take a 'torokko' (tram) into the mine tunnel, where a cool, stable temperature of around 19°C (66°F) is maintained year-round, and can witness the magnificent sight of countless shochu aging pots lining the tunnel walls. This paid guided tour also includes explanations of the Satsuma Domain's gold mining history and equipment, offering a special experience that includes viewing a shrine located deep within the mine. After the tour, visitors can sample and purchase exclusive shochu, sake, and other liquors aged in the tunnel at the ground-level gift shop. Watch 800¥, tasting included 2500¥. (updated Oct 2025)
31.706459130.2716864Terushima Shrine (照島神社), 410 Nishishimabiracho. 24 hr. Terushima Shrine (照島神社) is a shrine located on the coast of Ichikikushikino, characterized by the fact that the entire small rocky island of 'Terushima' constitutes the shrine grounds. It is connected to the mainland solely by a red, pedestrian-only bridge (Shinkyo), which provides the only access to the island. The main shrine hall (Honden) and other primary shrine buildings are located on the island itself, which is also a habitat for a colony of subtropical plants. free. (updated Oct 2025)
31.770609130.1945815Kushikino Sunset Park (串木野サンセットパーク), 8080 Hashima, ☏ +81 996-32-5256. 24 hr. It is a coastal park in Ichikikushikino. It is characterized by being able to take a walk while looking at the sea. Free. (updated Oct 2025)
31.691795130.2944391Hamada Shuzо̄ Denbeegura (焼酎蔵薩州濵田屋伝兵衛), 4 Chome-1 Minatomachi 899-2101, ☏ +81 996-36-3131. 09:00-17:00, closed W. You can go on a brewery tour, and you can try the shochu liquor from the brewery. ¥500. (updated Oct 2025)
31.722665130.2727051Nishimuta (ニシムタ 串木野店食鮮館), 1 Higashiendencho, 896-0006, ☏ +81 996-29-3885. 09:00-23:00. It is Ichikikushiki-no's mart and you can purchase a variety of ingredients. (updated Sep 2025)
31.709817130.2803082Daiwa Kushikino (だいわ 串木野店), 5630 Hibarigaoka, ☏ +81 996-33-3222. 09:30-21:00. It is a large supermarket near kamimura gakuenmae station. It sells a variety of ingredients and daily necessities. (updated Nov 2025)
31.721086130.264671Misono (みその), 4 Kitahamacho, 896-0041, ☏ +81 996-33-0808. 11:00-14:30. Tuna ramen is famous as a Japanese restaurant made using tuna, a specialty of Ichikikushikino. ¥1000 ~ 2000 per person. (updated Sep 2025)
31.727073130.2789422Kaisen Maguroya (串木野市漁協直営 海鮮まぐろ家), 100 Asayama, 896-0084,, ☏ +81 996-33-5015. 11:00-15:00. It is a restaurant run by the Kushikino Fishing Association, where you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes at an affordable price. ¥1000~2000 per person. (updated Sep 2025)
31.72057130.2695223Pasta＆Pizza silk veil (Pasta＆Pizza シルクベール), 184 Kasugacho, 896-0002, ☏ +81 996-32-0790. 10:30-20:00, W closed. It's an Italian restaurant, and you can enjoy a variety of Italian food. ¥1000 ~ 2000 per person. (updated Oct 2025)
31.704085130.2837494Charcoal Grilled Factory Hamburg Steak Kurohei (炭火焼工房ハンバーグ・ステーキ 黒平), 4285 Beppu, 896-0037, ☏ +81 996-32-9681. 11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00. This is a restaurant that sells steaks and Hamburg steaks. ¥1000 ~ 2000 per person. (updated Oct 2025)
31.70825130.2735681IkeYa (池家), 314 Higashishimabiracho, ☏ +81 996-32-0459. Th-Tu 18:00-23:00. It is izakaya, located around Terushima Shrine. In particular, it is famous for its seasonal raw fish and is the main dish of side dishes. 2000~3000¥. (updated Nov 2025)
31.712867130.2719162Macchan (松ちゃん), 119-1 Midorimachi, ☏ +81 996-33-0432. Th-Tu 18:00-23:00. It's izakaya around the city. Motsunabe, a Japanese tripe stew, is famous. 3000¥. (updated Nov 2025)
31.715444130.2708743Paragon (パラゴン), 102 Showadori, 896-0026, ☏ +81 996-32-1776. W-Sa 12:00-19:00; Su 12:00-19:00, 21:00-24:00; M Tu closed. It is a Japanese-style caffeine, Kitsaten, and you can enjoy coffee and various foods. ¥1 ~ 1000. (updated Oct 2025)
31.721796130.2735334Ekimae Dining Ryu (駅前ダイニングりゅう), ８１−2, Akebonocho, ☏ +81 996-33-1919. M~Th 18:00-23:00, F Sa 18:00-00:00. This is izakaya located in front of Kushikino Station. We sell various side dishes and alcoholic beverages at low prices. 2000~3000¥. (updated Nov 2025)
31.714965130.2693465Paiichi (杯一), 波村ビル, Showadori, 38, ☏ +81 996-32-8762. Tu-Su 18:00-23:00. This is izakaya near the city hall. It is small in size, so you can enjoy alcohol in a comfortable atmosphere. Ikageso is especially delicious. 2000~3000¥. (updated Nov 2025)
31.70891130.2666312Hotel Axia Kushikino (ホテルアクシア くしきの), 101 Nagasakicho, ☏ +81 996-32-4177. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. It is a hotel near the sea in Kushikino. It is a little far from the station, but it is characterized by being close to the sea. 8000¥~. (updated Nov 2025)
Most Japanese SIMs include the option of Internet-only, so it is common to buy on an Internet site. To make a phone call, it is better to make a phone call by roaming. There are many mountains around, so there are cases where the connection is disconnected when you go to the mountain area.
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