Kagoshima is a city located on the southern tip of Kyushu, Japan, known for its stunning natural beauty, including views of the active Sakurajima volcano. It is the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture and is often referred to as the "Naples of the East" due to its resemblance to the Italian city, with a scenic bay and mild climate.

​

Historically, Kagoshima was the home of the powerful Shimazu clan, which ruled the Satsuma Domain during Japan's feudal period. The city played a key role in Japan's modernization during the Meiji Restoration, when it was a major center of resistance against the Tokugawa Shogunate.

​

The Seinan War of 1877, also known as the Satsuma Rebellion, was a significant conflict that took place primarily in Kagoshima. It was a rebellion led by Saigo Takamori, one of Japan's most prominent samurai, against the new Meiji government. Discontented with the rapid changes and the decline of the samurai class, Saigo and his followers, mainly from the Satsuma region, rose in revolt. The war, which saw fierce fighting around Kagoshima, ended in defeat for the rebels. Saigo Takamori died in battle, marking the end of the samurai's political power and a final consolidation of the Meiji government's control over Japan.