Spend the New Year with your family. Miles trip for three generations in Kagoshima

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*The contents listed are current as of December 2023. Service contents may change without notice.
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A relaxing New Year. A trip around Kagoshima with three generations

Many people are planning to take their family on a trip during the New Year holidays. If you want to spend some time with your family to recharge your energy for the year ahead, why not take a trip using your JAL Card miles?

The protagonists of this trip are heading to Kagoshima with their parents and children. Let's go on a luxurious family mile trip to visit spots that both adults and children can enjoy, perfect for the start of the new year!

Take advantage of the "JAL Card Family Program" and use the miles you've accumulated to get reward tickets!

If you are going on a family trip, we recommend using the "JAL Card Family Program" to arrange award tickets! This program is a service exclusive to JAL Card members that allows family members to combine the miles accumulated by each family member when redeeming awards and use them together (only first-degree relatives of the parent member can register).

One of the most convenient points for this three-generation trip is that even if you have a child under 18 who does not have a JAL card, as long as they are a family member who lives in the same household as you and are JMB members, you can combine points in the program, making it easier to exchange them for award tickets.

By combining our savings, we were able to purchase award tickets for the whole family. With the money we saved from the cheap airfare, we decided to book a newly opened luxury hotel! We'll tell you more about our stay there later.

For details about the eligibility, conditions, and registration procedures for the JAL Card Family Program, please check the website.

JAL Card New Membership Application

JAL Card Family Program

"Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park Footbath" - Relax in the volcanic blessings of this spectacular location

Well, then, let's start our family trip! After traveling from Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima City, we will first head to Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima. It is a natural wonder that is very close to us, and can be reached in about 15 minutes by taking the Sakurajima Ferry, which runs 24 hours a day, from Kagoshima Port in the city.

Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park is located on the seaside, about an eight-minute walk from Sakurajima Port where we arrived. The open park features a foot bath, one of the largest in Japan, with a total length of about 100 meters. The whole family enjoyed a relaxing time in the natural hot spring foot bath while looking out over the majestic Sakurajima and the calm Kinko Bay (Kagoshima Bay).

The spring quality is a chloride spring that leaves you feeling warm for a long time after bathing. It is characterized by a slightly murky reddish brown color. If you have time, it is also a good idea to take a stroll along the promenade on the lava field created by the Taisho eruption in 1914.

Sakurajima Lava Nagisa Park Footbath

Experience the mystery and charm of Kagoshima's ocean at "Io World Kagoshima Aquarium"

After returning from Sakurajima, head to the Io World Kagoshima Aquarium via the passageway that connects directly to the ferry terminal. This is a popular spot that exhibits about 10,000 specimens of about 800 species, focusing on marine life from Kagoshima Prefecture, which is surrounded by the sea on the east, west, and south.

The first thing that greets you is the Kuroshio Large Aquarium, where the world's largest fish, the whale shark, as well as schools of tuna and bonito, swim. The whole family will be captivated by the mystical sight, which makes you feel as if you are peering into the depths of the ocean.

There are plenty of exhibits and events that can be enjoyed from various perspectives, such as the "Sea Slug Research Institute," where researchers raise and study the still mysterious ecology of dolphins, "Dolphin Time," where you can learn about the abilities of dolphins, and the "Touch Pool," where you can directly touch starfish, sea cucumbers, and other creatures.

In the outdoor "Dolphin Waterway," dolphins will perform all kinds of jumps right in front of you. Event times can be confirmed on the website, so if you check in advance, you should be able to enjoy the event smoothly.

The amusement shop with its cute goods is also a fun place to visit. I used my JAL card to buy a stuffed animal that my child asked for. I also secretly bought one for myself. You can also earn miles by using your JAL card to purchase admission tickets and souvenirs.

Io World Kagoshima Aquarium

Enjoy the authentic taste of black pork shabu-shabu at the birthplace of the dish, "Black Pork Cuisine Ajimori"

"Black pork" is a representative Kagoshima delicacy. It was introduced from the Ryukyu Islands about 400 years ago and is known throughout the country as a high-quality pork. Nowadays, you can enjoy black pork shabu-shabu at many restaurants, but the original was "Black Pork Cuisine Ajimori." It is said to have been created about 45 years ago to boost black pork production, which was on the verge of extinction at the time. If you've come all the way to the birthplace of black pork, you can't leave without trying this!

The restaurant has a relaxed Japanese atmosphere. They have everything from counter seats to private rooms, and this time we reserved a sunken kotatsu private room. Shortly after we sat down, the main dish of the meal, black pork, was served. Everyone cheered when they saw the presentation, which looked like a large blooming rose. The center of the flower is the pork belly, and the open part is the loin meat.

The biggest feature of this dish is that you can enjoy black pork meat in a secret soup. First, put in only the belly meat, and once it has changed color, eat it as is. The sweetness of the white meat (the name for the fat in black pork) and the umami of the red meat mix with the soup, making you want to keep eating.

The Ajimori way to eat the lightly tasting loin meat is with soup made with dissolved raw egg. The richness of the egg added to the dish, and the special hand-pulled udon noodles at the end were delicious.

Of course, you can also use your JAL Card for payment here.

Black pork cuisine Ajimori

Enjoy local sweets at "Tenmonkan Mujaki Shirokuma Confectionery"

After a satisfying lunch, we headed to the arcade street, about a one-minute walk from "Kurobuta Cuisine Ajimori." In fact, there is another local sweet you should try in Kagoshima: Kori Shirokuma, fluffy shaved ice topped with sweet milk syrup. If you go to "Tenmonkan Mujaki Shirokuma Kashi," which invented Kori Shirokuma over 70 years ago, you can enjoy about 15 different types of shaved ice on the menu at any time, regardless of the season.

Its exterior is particularly eye-catching, even in the arcade. Don't miss taking a commemorative photo with the cute polar bear that greets you.

I ordered the classic polar bear. The polar bear's face is made of raisins and cherries. The fruit toppings change with the seasons. The colorful and cute appearance made the kids very happy. The photo shows the regular size (800 yen), but a slightly smaller baby size (600 yen) is also available.

The homemade milk syrup used in Tenmonkan Mujaki's Shirokuma is based on condensed milk and has a refreshing sweetness. If you go with a large group, it's fun to order different types and share them. By the way, the adult men were very pleased with the Shochu Mizore (contains alcohol).

There is also a take-out corner at the front of the store. They offer a Handy Shirokuma (500 yen) for eating on the go, as well as a take-out Shirokuma set, which can also be sent as a souvenir (delivery orders are accepted in the office on the third floor, or in the office on the first floor during the summer).

Tenmonkan Mujaki Polar Bear Confectionery

Relax at the Sheraton Kagoshima Hotel, a hotel with a unique Kagoshima feel

Now, the group is heading to the accommodation. We learned that the Sheraton Hotel, which has locations all over the world, will open in Kagoshima in May 2023, and decided to stay at the Sheraton Kagoshima from the time we planned this trip. Traveling with a family can be surprisingly tiring. Even if it was a short stay, we wanted to spend a relaxing and comfortable time.

From Tenmonkan, take the city tram to the Takenohashi tram stop, the closest to the hotel, which takes about 20 minutes. A taxi will take you there in about 10 minutes (there is a free shuttle bus from Kagoshima Chuo Station). After checking in, head straight to your room. The front desk counter is designed to resemble the mountain ranges of Kagoshima. Local crafts are displayed in the cafe on the first floor and the club lounge on the 18th floor, so it might be fun to look for them.

"The windows are huge!" "You can see both Sakurajima and the ocean." The rooms on the Sakurajima side are in an excellent location, offering a panoramic view of the Kotsuki River that runs through the city, Kinko Bay, and Sakurajima. From the city side, you can enjoy the night view. The king-size bed rooms are spacious enough for parents and children to sleep side-by-side. In Sakurajima Rooms with one king-size bed, if you book for three people, you can also use a sofa bed in addition to the king-size bed.

Once you've unpacked your bags and are feeling lighter, you can head to &More on the first floor for a coffee break, separate from the family who are relaxing in their room. They have a wide selection of light meals, including sweets, bread and salad sets. You can also eat what you've purchased at the adjacent Public Square. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary atmosphere created by the dynamic atrium and greenery arrangements, and enjoy some time alone. Before dinner, you can freshen up in the large natural hot spring bath on the fifth floor.

For dinner, we went to the dining area on the top floor, "FLYING HOG GRILL," and enjoyed grilled dishes using ingredients such as black pork and black beef from Kagoshima Prefecture. Cooked over a wood fire, the outside was crispy and the inside juicy. The taste was different from the black pork shabu-shabu we had for lunch, and it was an evening where we got to experience the profound qualities of black pork.

On the same floor, there is the green-themed bar "VIVARIUM," and on the fourth floor, there is a hideaway-style izakaya restaurant "Satsumaguma," among other unique restaurants. The hotel has a full range of facilities, so we stayed in and enjoyed some quality time with the family.

"Sheraton Kagoshima" is a JAL Card affiliated store where you can earn double miles. When you pay with your JAL Card, you can earn double the usual shopping miles.

In addition, we are currently running a campaign where we will give away miles to those who spend a total of 10,000 yen (tax included) or more with their JAL Card at the Sheraton Kagoshima! You can win up to 10,000 miles! If you have already made a reservation, please register to participate in the campaign. And if you are interested, please make a reservation at the Sheraton Kagoshima now.

Sheraton Kagoshima

Sheraton Kagoshima Mileage Giveaway Campaign

Share your travel memories with local souvenirs

The end of the trip is approaching. Using the time before boarding, I decided to look for souvenirs at the airport. I stopped off at "JAL PLAZA Kagoshima Airport," which has a wide selection of popular souvenirs. There are two stores at Kagoshima Airport, and the first store has a wide variety of souvenirs, including popular local sweets made with locally grown sweet potatoes.

The second store has a lineup of products such as satsumaage and alcoholic beverages. Both stores are located in the domestic departure lobby, so you can shop efficiently even when you don't have much time.

"JAL PLAZA Kagoshima Airport" is a JAL Card authorized dealer, so if you use your JAL Card to shop, you can earn double miles. Why not share the delicious food you've tasted during your trip with your friends?

JAL PLAZA Kagoshima Airport

For those who want to enjoy easy travel in 2024, we also recommend "Dokokani Miles"!

A trip at the start of the new year was a great start to the year. If you are thinking of traveling to many different places this year, we recommend using the "Dokokani Miles" service.

When you make a reservation, JAL will suggest four possible destinations. You will be notified of the selected destination within three days of your application. You will be able to enjoy an exciting trip that is different from the usual and a journey of discoveries born of chance.

The big advantage of this "Dokokani Miles" is that you can exchange your miles for a round-trip award ticket for a flat rate of 7,000 miles regardless of your destination, which is less than the usual number of miles. Why not use your miles to enjoy a family trip, a leisurely solo trip, or a trip with friends at a great price?

Miles somewhere

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