Sakurajima Ash Incidents

Due to the recent two volcano ash/lava incidents in Sakurajima, what are the chances of me not able to visit this island, including taking the loop bus around? I will be there in early Oct.

Since I only have a day in Kagoshima before I travel to Yakushima, is there any good places that I can visit, in the event Sakurajima is not available? I have plans (able to change if someone suggest something better) to visit one or two shochu bars in Kagoshima and before that, dinner at yatai place near Kagoshima Chou station. Is there anything else I can do from abt 1pm till 6/7pm?

Since Kagoshima is famous for shouchu and beef (or is it black pork?), are there any Shouchu distillery plants near the city (or with easy public transport access) that I can tour (preferably in English)? What abt not-so-expensive beef (or is black pork) speciality restaurant?

Thanks very much.

After the typhoon is gone, today we have a very pleasant whether here in Kagoshima :). At present, the loop bus operated by Kagoshima city and the sightseeing bus by JR Kyushu should run normally since they say nothing special on their websites. Their sites however have only Japanese language pages. Do you read Japanese pages?

Honestly, Kagoshima city has little places to see, since many historical buildings were destroyed during the Meiji Restoration (ironical name!) and the WWII. Therefore, the "must see" is Sakurajima only.

As for the food, Tonkatsu should be the first choice in Kagoshima. It is popular for foreigners but not so expensive. Today I found Kagoshima has No. 1 Tonkatsu restaurant, though I have never been there.

http://tabelog.com/kagoshima/A4601/A460101/46000246/

I am in Kagoshima right now and visited the Sakurajima today, the buses work normally on the island andin the Kagoshima, there is no trace left of the ash incident, and the weather is indeed wonderful ! So no worries !

If you like gardens or if you are a history buff, then Senganen is well worth a visit. You can get there very easily on the sightseeing loop bus.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4602.html

Thank you all above for your suggestions as well as the weather update.

Shochu plant tour, suggestions, anyone pls?

Shochu plant tour, suggestions, anyone pls?

Not in the central Kagoshima, but I can think of the following two companies.

Honbo Shuzo Galeria Honbo

http://www.hombo.co.jp/factory/satsuma.html

JR Taniyama station (13 min from Kagoshima chuo, 220　yen)
then 10 min taxi or a bus from Tenmonkan (not so convenient)

Hamadaya Denbei

http://www.jalan.net/kankou/460000/461400/spt_46361cc3342007116/

JR Ichiki station (31 min from Kagoshima chuo, 540 yen) then 10 min walk.

I think both do not provide English page or English language tour. Honestly, foreign tourists are not so many here in Kagoshima.

Other companies:

http://www.tanshikijyoryu-shochu.or.jp/archives/category/taste/