Kagoshima - Kyushu

I arrive in Kagoshima and am immediately struck by the awe inspiring and brooding presence of the volcano in the background, it is clearly visible looming over the city as you step out from the station - Magnificent :)
With nowhere booked to stay here as the only way to obtain a phone is to hire one! Well, the prices to hire are too high and so I am relying on pot luck and occasional Hostelworld.com reservations. However, on arrival it is quick and easy to use the Lonely Planet to track down the cheapest accommodation within the city at ‘Little Asia Youth Hostel’ which has beds in the dorm room for a mere 1500Y/£10 per night - so that was me booked for two nights ;)
I do not hang around but head straight out to make the most of the afternoon exploring the new city. Like all major cities within Japan it has an exceptionally good public transport system (Although far more expensive than China’s). In Kagoshima it includes a choice of bus or street car (Tram) both of which will set you back 180Y per trip.
Taking a trip to the harbour I am soon in my element exploring the parks and footpaths and rack up several km’s before coming to several waterfront parks with many sculptures including monument to the children of the sea, monument to Xavier landing in Japan, memorial to soldiers lost in the war and Statue of Togo Heihachiro (You will also find a pair of demon style dogs guarding one of the walkways to the remains of the Tofukujijo Castle, where you can get a good view of the volcano across the harbour ;)). Walking back from these parks you head back along the train tracks and harbour front to the Sakurajima ferry port (150Y/£1.20 one way) and the Io World Kagoshima Aquarium (1500Y/£10ish) and the site of the Shin-battery. Most impressive on my walk was square rigged sailing ship docked at the harbour, a beautifully elegant ship set against the modern backdrop of a Japanese harbour front J. Also in this area for the die hard shopper/diner is the Dolphin Port complex (worth a visit in the evening fort the decorative lights outside).
Walking back into the city centre I come to Tenmonken - the centre for shopping and bars!! Much of this area is covered and geared up to cater for the visitor with themed bars/clubs and restaurants, take your pick. I had ‘Ramen’, a kind of noodle soup… Not really all that good although mentioned in the Lonely Planet…
Final stop today was the Amu Plaza attached to the station and only yards from my hostel - it was the ferris wheel on the roof that I was interested in riding and soon make it to the 6th floor entrance… 500Y/£3.50 will get you a 10min ride and if you come in the evening on off season you get to choose the one clear glass capsule ;) Well worth it as you get a real 360 view. Those with vertigo issues should probably avoid this but it is well worth the money and grants superb views of the city itself and on a clear day of the Volcano.