Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima Prefecture
鹿児島県
Japanese transcription(s)
  Japanese鹿児島県
  RōmajiKagoshima-ken
View of Kagoshima City, with Sakurajima in the background
Anthem: Kagoshima kenmin no uta
Country Japan
RegionKyushu
IslandKyushu
CapitalKagoshima
SubdivisionsDistricts: 8, Municipalities: 43
Government
  GovernorKōichi Shiota
Area
  Total
9,187.01 km2 (3,547.12 sq mi)
  Rank10th
Population
 (September 1, 2022)
  Total
1,564,175
  Rank24th
  Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
GDP
  Total
  • JP¥5,773 billion
  • US$53.0 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 codeJP-46
Websitewww.pref.kagoshima.jp/foreign/english/index.html
Symbols of Japan
BirdLidth's jay (Garrulus lidthi)
FlowerMiyamakirishima (Rhododendron kiusianum)
TreeCamphor laurel
(Cinnamomum camphora)

Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県, Kagoshima-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [ka.ɡo.ɕi.ma, -maꜜ.keɴ, ka.ŋo-]) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands. Kagoshima Prefecture has a population of 1,527,019 (1 February 2025) and has a geographic area of 9,187 km2 (3,547 sq mi). Kagoshima Prefecture borders Kumamoto Prefecture to the north and Miyazaki Prefecture to the northeast.

Kagoshima is the capital and largest city of Kagoshima Prefecture, with other major cities including Kirishima, Kanoya, and Satsumasendai. Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southernmost point of Kyūshū and includes the Satsunan Islands group of the Ryukyu Islands. Kagoshima Prefecture's mainland territory extends from the Ariake Sea to Shibushi Bay on the Pacific Ocean coast, and is characterized by two large peninsulas created by Kagoshima Bay. Kagoshima Prefecture formed the core of the Satsuma Domain, ruled from Kagoshima Castle, one of the most important Japanese domains of the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration.