Things to Do in Toshima (十島村), Kagoshima: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Toshima (十島村) in Kagoshima Prefecture (Kyushu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Nakano Shima (中之島), Suwanose-jima (諏訪之瀬島), Kuchino-shima (口之島) and served by Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) via the regional hub at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ). Set at 295 m elevation (29.8472°N, 129.8550°E), Toshima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kagoshima Kurobuta (Berkshire black pork tonkatsu & shabu-shabu), Satsuma-age (savory fried fish cakes), Kagoshima ramen & Kibinago (silver-stripe round herring sashimi) cuisine and exploring neighboring Yakushima (屋久島町) (97.5 km), Mishima (三島村) (113.4 km), Minamitane (南種子町) (119.4 km), Nakatane (中種子町) (131 km).

It is one of the eight central wards of the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Located in the northern area of Tokyo, Toshima is bordered by the wards of Nerima, Itabashi, and Kita in the north and Nakano, Shinjuku, and Bunkyo in the south. The ward was founded on March 15, 1947, and reached a peak resident population of 370,000 in 1965. During the day the population swells with commuters, resulting in a daytime population of around 378,475. Approximately 47% of Toshima's land is residential, and 20% is commercial and public areas. Although Toshima is a ward, it is referred to as a city. The ward offices are located in Ikebukuro, which is also the commercial and entertainment center of Toshima. With a non-Japanese population of 19,868, or 7.42% of the total, Toshima is one of the most international wards in Tokyo. Of the foreign population, 56% is of Chinese descent, 20% is of Korean descent, and the rest are of primarily Filipino and European descent. Situated across rolling inland terrain at 295 m elevation in Kagoshima Prefecture, Toshima is anchored by local landmarks including Nakano Shima (中之島), Suwanose-jima (諏訪之瀬島), Kuchino-shima (口之島) and connects to neighboring Yakushima, Mishima, Minamitane via Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)). Within Kagoshima Prefecture, Toshima (十島村) serves as a village (村) in kagoshima prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Smoking volcano of Sakurajima across the bay (15m ferry), Sengan-en samurai garden, Ibusuki natural volcanic sand baths (Sunamushi), Kirishima Onsen, and UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima.

What to See & Do in Toshima (十島村): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Toshima (十島村) from Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) at 295 m elevation (29.8472°N, 129.8550°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Toshima):

• Nakano Shima (中之島) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (十島村).
• Suwanose-jima (諏訪之瀬島) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (十島村).
• Kuchino-shima (口之島) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (十島村).
• Ko-gaja-shima (小臥蛇島) — local sightseeing landmark near Toshima (十島村).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Toshima: Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) (connecting to Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Toshima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Toshima (十島村) and Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kagoshima Prefecture and Kyushu:

• Yakushima (屋久島町) — 97.5 km from Toshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Mishima (三島村) — 113.4 km from Toshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Minamitane (南種子町) — 119.4 km from Toshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Nakatane (中種子町) — 131 km from Toshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
• Nishinoomote (西之表市) — 147.3 km from Toshima (Kagoshima Prefecture)

Getting to Toshima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Toshima (十島村) via Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)): 1h 25m from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 3h 55m direct from Shin-Osaka on the JR Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura/Mizuho. From Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) to reach central Toshima (29.8472°N, 129.8550°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kagoshima with Toshima (十島村) and neighboring Yakushima, Mishima, Minamitane. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Toshima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Toshima between Kagoshima and Yakushima can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Toshima: While Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) anchors public transit for Toshima, picking up a rental car at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) makes it easy to link Nakano Shima (中之島) and Suwanose-jima (諏訪之瀬島) with nearby Yakushima (屋久島町) (97.5 km), Mishima (三島村) (113.4 km), Minamitane (南種子町) (119.4 km), Nakatane (中種子町) (131 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Toshima (十島村) & Kagoshima

Dining near Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) and across Toshima (十島村) highlights the regional food culture of Kagoshima Prefecture and Kyushu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Toshima:

• Kagoshima Kurobuta (Berkshire black pork tonkatsu & shabu-shabu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (十島村) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Satsuma-age (savory fried fish cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (十島村) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Kagoshima ramen & Kibinago (silver-stripe round herring sashimi) — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (十島村) and Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Shirokuma (shaved ice mountain with condensed milk & fruit) & Imo-shochu — regional specialty enjoyed across Toshima (十島村) and Kagoshima Prefecture.

If you are dining in Toshima (十島村) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)).

Where to Stay in Toshima (十島村)

Visitors staying overnight in Toshima (十島村) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)), or base at major rail hubs in Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)) or neighboring Yakushima, Mishima, Minamitane for quick train access into Toshima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Toshima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Toshima (十島村, 295 m elevation at 29.8472°N, 129.8550°E): Mild southern climate makes October–May ideal for Sakurajima views, Ibusuki hot-sand baths, and hiking Yakushima's ancient cedar forests.

Wider sightseeing across Kagoshima Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Nakano Shima (中之島) in Toshima (十島村) includes: Smoking volcano of Sakurajima across the bay (15m ferry), Sengan-en samurai garden, Ibusuki natural volcanic sand baths (Sunamushi), Kirishima Onsen, and UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima.

Practical Travel Tips for Toshima (十島村)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Toshima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kagoshima-Chuo Station (Kyushu Shinkansen southern terminus) & Kagoshima Airport (KOJ) or Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) for local bus schedules to Nakano Shima (中之島) and walking maps of Toshima (十島村).
• Cash & ATMs in Toshima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Nakano Shima (中之島) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Toshima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Toshima: Around Toshima Port Ferry Terminal & Mainland Rail Gateway (Irino Station (入野駅)) and neighboring Yakushima, Mishima, Minamitane, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.