Japan Guide
Kyūshū
Eating
1 Ajimori 13-21 Sennichi-chō East of the arcade, this nicely informal restaurant specializes in tonkatsu (deep-fried, breaded pork cutlet) and shabu-shabu (thinly sliced pork or beef cooked in broth at your table), and has a good choice of set meals (from around ¥700, or ¥3200 for shabu shabu). Upstairs, a more formal restaurant serves only shabu-shabu. D Opening time: aily except Wed noon–2.30pm & 5.30–9.30pm
2 Arahobana Dolphin Port, 5-4 Honkōshin-machi 
www.fenyworld.com/arahobana There's a breezy, tropical atmosphere to this restaurant specializing in the food of the Amami islands, off Kagoshima's south coast. Choose from an extensive range of well-priced set meals, including keihan and all sorts of black-pork dishes, from around ¥1000, washed down with some local shōchū.
3 Densuke 5-27 Yasui-chō. Just round the corner from Nakazono Ryokan Join the locals at the counter of this welcoming, inexpensive izakaya for Satsuma-age, juicy kurobuta tonkatsu and yakitori, and copious glasses of shōchū. Opening time: Daily 5–11pm
4 Edokko-zushi 2-16 Sennichi-chō www.edokoo-susi.jp Long-established and justifiably popular sushi bar on a street corner to the west of Izuro-dōri. Prices are reasonable, with sushi sets starting at around ¥1100. It also does sashimi and tempura; an English menu is available. Opening time: Daily 11.30– midnight
5 Ichi-ni-san 5F, Amu Plaza, 1-1 Chūō-chō Among several decent options on Amu Plaza's restaurant floor, this local chain restaurant stands out for its stylish decor, with a choice of different seating areas, and (daytime) views of Sakurajima. The food's good, too, with the usual range of Kagoshima speciality dishes and local shōchū – try the sampler set of three glasses (¥850). Opening time: Daily 11am–11pm
6 Satsuma-aji 6-29 Higashi-Sengoku-chō www.satumaji.co.jp If you're after a more relaxed dining experience, try this elegantly rustic restaurant serving fairly pricey but top-quality local fare. Lunch deals start at ¥1575 and there's a picture-menu. Opening time: Daily 11.30am–2.30pm & 5.30–10pm