Minamisatsuma City is blessed with a warm climate, bountiful nature and clean fresh air which helps to produce delicious food. The City has various fun events including a sand dune festival, a bicycle race and activities put on by the locals. In the sea, in the mountains and in the sky, visitors can find leisure sports, history and culture. Cycling Terminal “Rin-Rin” Sunset Bridge The Sand Sculpture Festival in Fukiage Dunes Lunch: Kyoto-style Udon Yazo Kaseda Samurai Quarters Shiko-an blacksmith workshop Takeda Shrine Dinner: Yakitori Kushi KOZO Travel by bicycle to enjoy the long history and events of Minamisatsuma Travel by car to enjoy the culture and history of Japanese ingenuity, breath- taking scenery and an active sports scene. Mt. Kamegaoka Altitude 387 m To the north you can see one of Japan’s most famous sand dunes Fukiage Hama, and to the west is the beautiful scenery of the ria coastal inlet of Bonotsu. The dawn and dusk sun is so beautiful and sooths the soul. It is also a paraglider launch site. Diving A great diving spot in Kagoshima! The sea stretching from Kasasa to Bonotsu is not only famous in Kagoshima, but is one of the top diving spots in Kyushu. Diving trials and lectures, fun diving and holistic diving are just some of the fun dives you can experience here. Kasasa Ebisu This hotel offers a view of the East China Sea, with all the seaside rooms being in a maisonnette (duplex) Japanese/western style. The museum is separated into the four themes: The sea and fishing, The sea and yachts, The sea and nature, The sea and ships. A variety of activities are available including sea kayaking, sunset cruises, fishing and stargazing. Jian Zhen Memorial Museum Akime is the place where the Chinese monk Jian Zhen of the Tang Dynasty first set foot in Japan in 753, and this facility pays tribute to his great contributions. Displays include a replica of the statue of Jian Zhen, a diagram of his travels and other items depicting his life. Monument of 007 movie (Akime) In August 1966, Akime was the location for the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice”. A plaque was erected by the Akime-based Seifukai in 1990. The plaque features a certificate from the producer Albert R. Broccoli and signatures of the stars Sean Connery and Tamba Tetsuro. OUR JAMES BOND FILM "YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE" WAS FILMED ON LOCATION HERE AT AKIME. Tojinosato Kasasa (Shochu Distillery) Kurose Toji distillers were renowned throughout Japan during the Meiji Era for their shochu distilling technique. The hand made shochu using the traditional methods is on sale here. A display room shows the shochu making process through videos and description panels. You can also visit the adjacent distillery. Yakitori Kushi KOZO This yakitori (grilled chicken) restau- rant is a favorite of the locals. There is a wide variety of yakitori on the menu at a reasonable price, including crunchy "nankotsu" (cartilage) and chicken balls with cheese sauce. Try the beer set menu. Shiko-an blacksmith workshop This workshop has been carrying the tradition of the Kaseda Blacksmith for over 450 years. Try your hand at making a Kaseda nail. Cycling Terminal “Rin-Rin” This terminal has rental bicycles for children to adults, both road bikes and electrically assisted bikes for an easy, fun day of cycling. The facility features various bicycle-related information and also displays the history of bicycles. Kyoto-style Udon Yazo The owner did his apprenticeship at a Kyoto restaurant, and specializes in undon noodle and bowl dishes using carefully selected ingredients and methods. This 130 year old traditional Japanese house recreates the atmosphere of Gion, in the ancient capital of Kyoto, creating the feeling of being in Kyoto. The Sand Sculpture Festival in Fukiage Dunes In the middle of a pine forest suddenly appears the fine and artistic lines of a dynamic sand dune. In the daytime the dunes co-star with bright spring flowers, in the evening the illuminated sand dunes are the stage for the music, light and fireworks display titled “Sound and Light Fantasy” held in May. Each year a theme is selected for sand sculptures. The venue features giant sand sculptures (3m to 8m) as well as about 100 other smaller ones. MARS Tsunuki Distillery, Café Bar & Shop The MARS Tsunuki Distillery is Kyushu’s southernmost (excluding remote islands) whiskey distillery. The distillery adjoins the Hombo family’s former residence “Hojo”, which has a MARS whisky tasting BAR and shop with goods and liquor on sale. Enjoy this relaxing space where East meets West. Yakiniku Jirocho This BBQ restaurant is directly managed by the renowned Kagoshima Kuroge Wagyu beef specialty butcher Shimizu (Shin) butchery. A5 ranked meat is on the menu, and for lunch try Jirocho’s Special Yakiniku Lunch Set. The Prawn Broth Shabu-Shabu Set and the Pork Loin Cutlets Set are also recommended. Kaseda Samurai Quarters In the Kaseda district, the region's political center years ago, it is said that there were over 200 samurai houses around the Befu Castle. You can still see the remnants of the Satsuma Clan era samurai quarters with stone walls, Buddhist Pine hedges and samurai gates, angled hallways leading to the front door and hedges concealing houses. Sunset Bridge At the mouth of the Manose River is the Fukiagehama Seaside Park, which has a 405m suspension bridge for pedestrians and bicycles. Check out the beautiful sunset here while watching waterfowls. Kasasa Ebisu Toujinosato Kasasa (Shochu Distillery) Jian Zhen Memorial Museum The monument of 007 movie Lunch: Yakiniku Jirocho Mt. Kamegaoka Diving MARS Tsunuki Distillery, Café Bar & Shop