When it comes to Kagoshima, many Japanese people think of Saigo Takamori and him.
Statue of Okubo Toshimichi
Statue of Okubo Toshimichi (1830-1878). It takes only 5 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station by foot.
Like Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi is the great contributor to the Meiji Restoration.
When they were young, they had a close relationship. But they frequently stood in opposition after new Meiji governments started. He became the top of the government but later was assassinated just 1 year after Saigo died in the Seinan Civil War (1877). When I visited the statue, it was raining and his statue looked as if it was weeping.
Saigo has been loved by local people in Kagoshima to the extent which his shrine was built, but on the other hand, they regarded Okubo as “the enemy of Saigo” for a long time. It took 100 years until his statue was built at this place after his death.
Across the statue, there is a Meiji Restoration road along the Kotsuki River. Many historical sites concentrates along the road. Those historical sites include the birthplace of Saigo Takamori and Meiji Restoration Museum.
Information
Access
- Walk 5 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station toward Tenmonkan Street
- Take a tram at Kagoshima Chuo Station and get off at Takamibashi. Walk 1 minute.
- There is no free parking lot at this place. Please park your car at a nearby coin parking lot if youcome here by car.
Address
1 Nishisengoku-cho, Kagoshima City
