Kagoshima prefecture is located in the southernmost part of Japan which has an entirely different regional feature from Tokyo. The prefecture is blessed ancient remains and stunning nature. If you have an interest in being exposed to authentic traditional Japanese culture, Kagoshima can be the place to visit! If you want to know more about Kagoshima, let me introduce you to Kagoshima’s antenna shop in Tokyo.
Kagoshima Yurakukan (かごしま遊楽館)
First Floor
The first floor is a sales area for all sorts of regional food products from Kagoshima. They offer unique products that are shipped directly from Kagoshima and in a lot of times, you can only purchase these products at this store within the Tokyo area. You will notice that a lot of the products from the prefecture carry the name Satsumo and it is because Kagoshima was previously known as that Satsumo for many decades.
Special drinks from Kagoshima
One of the products that you should check from Kagoshima prefecture is Shochu - distilled liquor made from sweet potatoes, rice, wheat or brown sugar. Kagoshima is most famous for its imo shochu - sweet potatoes shochu as there are more that 100 shochu distilleries in Kagoshima within the prefecture. Most them use sweet potatoes- satsuma imo for their shochu since Kagoshima holds the biggest sweet potato production in Japan. Not only for alcohol, but if you look closer at other food product from Kagoshima, you will notice that a lot of them are made using satsuma imo.
The above pictures are Satsuma age (deep-fried fish paste) which is a local delicacy of Kagoshima. It is made from minced white fish and flour. Since people in Kagoshima favoured in sweet tasting food, you will notice that most of the satsuma age are quite sweet! The shop offers a variety of satsuma age so be sure to try them out and look for your favorite ones!
There is also a travel information corner on the first floor where you can get information about Kagoshima!
Second Floor
The second floor is Japanese restaurant ‘One Two Three’ (いちにぃさん). They mainly serve one sort of Japanese hot pot Shabu Shabu. The signature menu is black pork grown in Kagoshima which is highly known as a fancy meat ingredient in Japan. The lunch menu is also very affordable as it costs around 1000 Yen. So don’t be afraid to drop by during lunch!
Third Floor
This is the third floor showcasing Kagoshima branded goods. You can find an elaborated design gift such as Satsuma ware, Satsuma Glass and other wood crafts. There is a gift guidebook in English available as well and you will be definitely impressed by the beautiful goods.
This is Satsuma Glass. You can see that each of them are crafted carefully with traditional technique which makes a quite elegant light reflection!
Since Kagoshima prefecture has a mild climate, It’s resplendent with natural wood resources. Especially for Yaku cedar products. In some occasions, these trees are more than 1000 years old.
Satsuma Ware has over 400 years history.
Black Satsuma ware were been used by common people. Its charm lies in the simplicity and soothing warmth.
White Satsuma ware were used by the lords of Kagoshima. It has a unique feature of fine cracks and ivory colored surface.
If you are interested in knowing more about Kagoshima during your stay in Tokyo, don’t be afraid to pay this antenna shop a visit. It will sure provides you with knowledge and information regarding Kagoshima and not to mention, their sweet food!
<Shop Info>
Hours: 10:00~20:00 (Weekend ~19:00)
Address: 〒100-0006, 1 Chome-６-４ Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda-ku, Tōkyō-to 100-0006
Access: 2 minute from Yurakutyo Station (有楽町駅)
Map
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