Retired Nomads Part 4: Kagoshima, Japan - Chiran Peace Museum, Samurai Residences & Gardens, Furusato Bussan-kan

March 12

Today we were joined by Jim & Pam and Jaye & Kevin and our guide was Yumi. (excellent guide) She was energetic and adapted her tour to us.

pretty park across the street from the port

welcome to Kagoshima

Chiran is about an hour away from the port and is sometimes called Little Kyoto because of the many Samurai residences preserved here. We all enjoyed the drive up into the clouds and going above them.

The entry to the Peace Museum in season would be a tunnel under flowering cherry trees. Today, we had to use our imaginations.

The Chiran Peace Museum, which explores the background of Japan’s kamikaze pilots. They trained nearby before embarking on suicide missions against Allied Sea vessels. The museum presents information about kamikaze missions from a Japanese perspective. It is important to note that kamikaze pilots were (and perhaps still are) considered heroes in Japanese culture which may be at odds with American sentiment. It’s a very well-done museum, another sobering and moving stop. We saw many young pilots who wrote their last letters to their mothers and of course they did not return. Yumi was telling us a story about American soldiers that came upon a dead Kamakazi pilot, and they said they couldn’t leave him as he was a human being and they wrapped him in the Japanese flag. She was crying and we were crying. Even though the soldiers were out to kill each other in the end they realized they are all “just people”. No photos are allowed in the museum, except the room with the plane.

"Tokko" which translates as Special Attack Unit is what they call what we call Kamakazi (Divine wind) pilots. A Japanese soldier, sailor, or pilot understood that sacrificing his life was a way to pay his debt to the emperor. He did not consider such a death as throwing away a life but fulfilling a duty. The first organized kamikaze attack took place on October 25, 1944. Most of these young men were around 20 years old.

statue of Tokko Pilot & Plane

us, Kevin & Jaye, Jim & Pam

ball field behind the displays

mother looking towards her son the pilot leaving

son is looking at his mother

these lanterns are gifts for each of the pilots lost in battle (they are found around the town as well)

this one had origami cranes in it

sleeping quarters of the pilots - (note that they are partially underground)

no photos inside except for the plane below

Navy Type-0 fighter aircraft model 52-Hei

children have made gifts for hope of peace

Yumi rang the bell

Next, we visited the Samurai Residence complex. The houses and their beautiful gardens are approximately 250 years old. The gates to the residences, moss-covered stone walls, hedges and black tile roofs evoke the Edo period. The samurais’ descendants still use several of the residences. There were also displays for annual Sengan-en's spring event of beautiful dolls for the girls' festival day. Yumi, says every girl had sets in their home.

Absolutely, amazing site and the gardens were beautiful.

we passed an egg store on the way

Yumi showing the layout of the Samurai Residences

outhouse (yes, it's a squat)

owner tending her own garden

root celler

there were Koi in the stream

Pam & Jim in the very back, us next to Kevin & Jaye

pink, yellow and white flowers

Jim & Pam

we are posed as warriors and the helmets were heavy

Mori Shigemitsu was the last garden we visited - built between 1741-1744

the only garden with a pond

Jim & Pam

Heart Shape water basin

small tea house

she prepared our tea

we all agreed it was the worst tea we had ever tasted - "wasn't our cup of tea"

We had an unscheduled stop at Honkaku Spirits (Royal Spirits) Chiran Tea Chu Shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit made from green tea as a key ingredient. They showed us the process and then of course we had a tasting. The Plum flavor was the best, the rest was like firewater. The bottles were beautiful and it was tempting to buy one just for the bottle. All of the shots were through the glass viewing areas.

Royal Spirit

Yumi and the guide at the distillery

all photos were taken through the viewing windows

the actual size of the vats

the tasting station

Yumi was curious why I chose the last stop since it was more of a local place. (food court, stores of all kinds as well as a store similar to Walmart) She was so sweet and helped each couple choose and order their food and then waited to pick up our orders since of course they called them in Japanese. Very tasty lunch today. Tempura shrimp and ginger pork set.

I got a token magnet, and we headed to the Baskin Robbins across the street.

Furusato Bussan-kan is a vibrant marketplace showcasing local handicrafts and regional specialties. Discover traditional pottery, textiles, and other unique souvenirs that embody Kagoshima’s rich culture and heritage. Honestly, that description (which is what enticed me) oversold it, but the group enjoyed being where no cruise ship passengers would ever go. The food was good, and I got a magnet, so all was good!

waiting in line to order our food

we both ordered the shrimp & ginger pork set

the shopping center from across the street where the BR is

Yumi said goodbye to us and told us that Kagoshima was known for the smallest mandarin oranges and the largest radishes. She presented each couple with 2 sets of chopsticks made from local bamboo.

There was some shopping at the port which was great for browsing.

The town had a big send off for us after we boarded. One guy in particular was taking his “job” of flag guy serious. He was cracking up the passengers watching. He was marching all around the band waving his flag very enthusiastically.