Frequently asked questions
Answers to what travelers most often ask about Kagoshima City View: where to board, when it runs, and how to pay.
Times and stops were checked against official sources on 20 September 2026, fares on 3 October 2026.
Official timetable (opens in a new tab)Official fares (opens in a new tab)
Overview
What is the Kagoshima City View bus?
Kagoshima City View is a sightseeing loop bus run by the Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau. It leaves Kagoshima-Chuo Station and runs one way around 20 stops, including Tenmonkan, the Saigo Takamori statue, Shiroyama, Sengan-en and the Aquarium (Sakurajima ferry terminal), returning to the station in about 80 minutes. Buses leave Kagoshima-Chuo Station from 8:30 to 17:30, about every 30 minutes. The adult fare is ¥230.
View on the mapOfficial fares & tickets (opens in a new tab)
Where to board
Where does the City View bus start?
It starts at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (No.1), runs one loop and returns to the same stop (No.20). The exact locations of all 20 stops are on the map.
Where is the City View stop at Tenmonkan?
Tenmonkan has two stops, one for each direction. Board at No.3 toward Sengan-en, and at No.19 to head back to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. The two stops are about 27 m apart.
Do any other stops have separate stops for each direction?
Yes: Satsuma Gishi-hi Mae (No.5 and No.9); Saigo's Cave Mae (No.6 and No.8). Check the direction in brackets in the stop name before you board.
Does Google Maps show the stops in the right place?
Not always. In our 20 July 2026 survey, Google Maps placed 8 of the 20 stops more than 50 m from the actual stop (up to 220 m). The locations on this site were checked on foot at every stop (31 May 2026).
Times
What time does the bus run?
Daily. The first bus leaves Kagoshima-Chuo Station at 8:30 and the last at 17:30, about every 30 minutes (19 runs a day). One loop takes about 80 minutes.
Can I see when the next bus comes?
Select a stop on the map to see its timetable and the minutes until the next bus.
Does it run at night?
The Night View course runs on Saturdays only (about 60 minutes per loop). See “Night View” on the map for times.
Fares & tickets
How much is the fare?
¥230 for adults and ¥120 for children per ride.
Can I use Suica or ICOCA?
No. Accepted: cash, Rapica (Kagoshima's local IC card), and contactless credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, etc.; phones work too). With contactless, tap once when boarding and once when getting off.
Is there a day pass, and where can I buy it?
If you ride 4 or more times in a day, the day pass (¥700) is cheaper. Where to buy: On the City View bus, at the Kagoshima-Chuo Station Tourist Information Center (inside the station, 8:00–19:00), or in the smartphone app “乗換案内” (Norikae Annai). Also valid on city trams and buses.
Is there a better ticket if I am also going to Sakurajima?
Going to Sakurajima? The “CUTE” pass (¥1,400/day) adds the Sakurajima Ferry and Island View bus to trams, city buses and City View.
Can I get change on the bus?
Yes. The change machine on board takes ¥1,000 notes and coins only.
Riding & getting back
How do I get on and off?
Board through the middle door and pay at the front door when you get off.
Where do I get off to return to my hotel?
The bus loops in one direction. Board at any stop and it returns to Kagoshima-Chuo Station (No.20), about 80 min per loop. To get off near your hotel, the return stop may differ from the one you boarded at (e.g. Tenmonkan: No.3 out, No.19 back).
About this site
Is this the official Kagoshima City website?
No. This is a guide made and run by MAKORO, based on open data published by Kagoshima City (GTFS-JP). For suspensions or temporary changes, please check the official Kagoshima City Transportation Bureau information.
Is it free? Do I need an app?
It is free with no ads. No app to install; it works in your browser, in Japanese, English, Korean and Traditional Chinese.