Sengan-en めいしょう　せんがんえん

Stunning stately home and gardens overlooking the magnificent Sakurajima

Stately home and gardens of the powerful Shimadzu clan overlooking the magnificent active volcano Sakurajima. Built in 1658 by Shimadzu Mitsuhisa, Sengan-en is one of Japan’s most famous traditional gardens. Explore the expansive house and gardens to get a true feel of how a feudal lord lived. The grounds also host restaurants serving the finest local cuisine, an ultra-chic Japanese style café, and exclusive shops selling the pinnacle of Kagoshima craftsmanship.

Sengan-en was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2015 due to the role this area played in the modernization of Japan. The neighbouring Shoko Shuseikan Museum tells the 800-year story of the Shimadzu family, and the Shimadzu Satsuma Kiriko Glassworks offers visitors a rare opportunity to see Japanese artisans at work up close.

Regions: Iso

Themes: History, historic places Culture, art Nature

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Enjoy delicious local food and a great selection of shops!

Taste the finest Kagoshima food with stunning vistas over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima. Sip on local teas served with traditional sweets at the famous Matcha Café, then browse a wide selection of gifts and Kagoshima’s finest handicrafts in the shops after soaking in the historic gardens.

Feel like a true Satsuma samurai with special experiences at Sengan-en!

Transform into a real samurai warrior. Wear an authentic set of samurai armor with help from the historical experts at Sengan-en then have your picture taken against the backdrop of active volcano Sakurajima!

Basic Information

Address	892-0871　鹿児島県鹿児島市吉野町9700-1
Access	・ Approx. 3-minute walk from JR sengan-en mae Station ・ Approx. 50 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station on the Kagoshima City View line; get off at Sengan-en Mae ・ Approx. 20 minutes by car from Kagoshima Chuo Station
Car Park	Yes
Open	9:00am - 5:00pm
Closures	The first Sunday of March （Closed for Kagoshima Marathon）
Language	(Menu) English, Korean, Chinese, Other languages (Translator service) English, Korean, Chinese, Other languages
Vegetarian	Consultation required in advance
Accepted credit cards	Visa, Master, American Express, Unionpay, JCB, Diners Club
Price	(Lunch) 2,001yen - 3,000yen
Covid-19 countermeasures	Alcohol disinfection, partition plate, temperature measurement
Links	Sengan-en Official Site
Download	Sengan-en brochure