# Chiran Samurai District

> A beautifully preserved Edo-period samurai district featuring seven exquisite gardens and a 700-meter stone-walled street.

- Prefecture: Kagoshima
- Type: Historic site
- Address: Minamikyushu, Kagoshima, Japan
- Admission: 530 yen
- Official site: https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/attractions/11053

The Chiran Samurai District is a remarkably well-preserved Edo-period neighborhood in the town of Chiran, now part of Minamikyushu City on the Satsuma Peninsula. A 700-meter stone-walled street lined with hedges and old trees leads past seven samurai residences whose gardens are open to the public, each designated a national scenic spot. The gardens, dating back approximately 250 years, showcase different styles from borrowed-scenery designs incorporating the surrounding mountains to dry landscape compositions with carefully placed rocks and pruned shrubs. The district evokes the atmosphere of a miniature Kyoto in southern Kyushu. Nearby, the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots commemorates the young men who flew their final missions from Chiran airfield during World War II, adding a poignant historical dimension to the visit.

## FAQ

### How do I get to the Chiran Samurai District?

Take a bus from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, about 1 hour 15 minutes for around 970 yen. There is no train service, so you must arrive by bus or car.

### What is the Chiran Samurai District known for?

It is a preserved Edo-period samurai lane with hedges and stone walls running along a 700 m street. Seven gardens are open to visitors, six dry karesansui gardens and one pond garden. The nearby Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots is also a notable stop.

### What are the admission fees?

A joint ticket for the seven gardens costs 530 yen. The nearby Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots has a separate admission of 500 yen.

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Source: Chiran Samurai District — Japan Voyage