Reimeikan - Kagoshima History Museum and Fine Arts Center

When my family arrived at the museum at around 4.20pm, we nearly had the museum to ourselves. The staff there were very pleasant and polite (as seems to be the norm everywhere you go in lovely Japan). Because my family had purchased all day transport passes, this meant we were eligible for a discount on the entrance fee into the museum. We were given English language booklets to supplement our walk through the museum. You will find that Korean, Chinese and English translations for each major museum section has been added, but details about each individual artefact are still only in Japanese.

While the museum may not be as modern as museums you may find elsewhere, everything is kept immaculately and it's large and spacious. This museum is built on the foundation that used to make up the Kagoshima Castle, but all that remains is the outerwall and moat remains. When I went today part of the museum's exterior is under construction and restoration, but the museum is still open to visitors. If you're coming to the museum down from the Shiroyama observatory deck, it is easy to miss the side entrance to get into the museum, so keep your eyes peeled for the ramp leading towards the museum grounds!

There is a little cafe inside the museum where you can enjoy a selection of food off a menu, but note that this cafe closes at 5.30pm.