(This blog is in English so that Kajiki High School Students can practice their reading skills.)

My favorite places in Aira 

 

It’s been about six months since I moved to Aira-shi. Time has gone by so fast but at the same time, I feel like I have been living here for years. There are many things I don’t know about Japanese culture, and about life in Kagoshima, but what I do know is that I love it here in Kagoshima. I like to ride my bike everywhere, go to conveyor belt sushi at Aeon town, and go for runs near the rice patties in Kajiki. I’d like to tell you all about a few of my favorite places that I visited so far, and if you have any recommendations on where I should go, please let me know. 

 

1. Sabo-rando park Aira 

I really love parks, because they are well-designed ways for us to enjoy nature near urban spaces. This park blew me away.* It was so beautiful, large, and had a stunning view of the mountains and Sakurajima. 

2. Takara Shokudou　

 
During the spring break, teachers were able to go outside for lunch and I visited this place with another English teacher. The two women working here gave us delicious yasai itame (vegetable fry) and karaage (fried chicken) and rice with tonjiru (pork and vegetable miso soup). I loved the flavors and also the atmosphere of this restaurant. It’s very near Kajiki High School so I’ll visit again soon.

 

3. N&N
This bakery in Kamou has some of the most beautiful bread I’ve seen in Japan! One time, when my friends and I stopped there before a trip, we encountered the former mayor of Aira who was taking a video outside of the shop. He talked to me a little and I found out that he is also a Kajiki High School graduate!
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4. Funatsu Onsen  

I love the music that plays outside in the rotenburo and I also like the temperature of the water. It’s a nice place where I can relax. When I first arrived in Aira, I would go after work a lot.
 

5. The Minato (Matsubara Coastline)
Have you ever walked along this minato? This map is a route of where I like to go. I can run 10k by running to the minato and back to my house. I always feel less stressed after running or walking here. 

 

6. Shirakane Zaka 

This is my newest favorite place and I have been twice in the past two weeks. I found a waterfall and also made it to the top of the trail which is about 340 meters above sea level. This trail is a part of the ancient route ookuchisuji, a trail that was used for sankin kotai in the Edo period. I like to imagine how people used this road, but most of all, I like to be in nature on the weekends. 

 

Other great places…
 

Hair Salon Fontana 2nd

The hairdresser and I had a fun 1.5 hour conversation in Japanese. He’s very nice! During the day, this is also a bread shop.

 

 
World’s Gym Kajiki

Did you know there is a gym in Kajiki? I love going here to exercise and dance. It’s open 24 hours and it used to be an old exam preparation school. 

 

One last thing

Aira is a lot like my hometown, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In Portsmouth, there are several hiking routes, waterways, and a large port. The many similarities might be why I like Aira and felt comfortable here in a short amount of time. I’m looking forward to continuing learning about this city, and other areas of Kagoshima while I’m living in Kajiki. Thank you for reading.

*blew me away → really surprised me in an unexpected and pleasant way.