Chiran Samurai Residence Street is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The admission fee is 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children to enter the preserved samurai gardens and residences. Some individual samurai houses may have separate entrance fees.
From Kagoshima City, take the Kagoshima Kotsu bus bound for Chiran, which takes about 1 hour and costs around 600 yen. Alternatively, rent a car for a 45-minute drive via Route 225. The nearest train station is Kagoshima Chuo, then connect by bus to reach Chiran town.
Visitors can enter seven preserved samurai residences along Chiran Samurai Street, including the Sata family residence, Hirayama family house, and Mori family home. Each house showcases authentic Edo period architecture, traditional tatami rooms, and meticulously maintained Japanese gardens with stone lanterns and koi ponds.
The best time to visit Chiran Samurai Residence Street is during spring (March-May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October-November) for fall foliage in the traditional gardens. Early morning visits around 9 AM offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, perfect for photographing the historic samurai houses and landscapes.
Yes, several traditional restaurants and tea houses operate near Chiran Samurai Street, serving local Kagoshima specialties like black pork tonkatsu, sweet potato dishes, and green tea. The historic Takemura tea house and several family-run restaurants offer authentic Japanese cuisine within walking distance of the samurai district.
