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More Information on the Launch Site Area
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The Uchinoura Space Center is across the bay from Kagoshima, on the
southeast side of the peninsula. Click on the map to see.
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Kagoshima, Japan,
located on the southwest tip of Japan's third largest
island, Kyushu, has a population of 605,650. Across
Kagoshima Bay is Mt. Sakurajima (see images below), a
steamy volcano that rises over 1,000 feet above the
waters of the bay. Mt. Sakurajima has erupted over 30
times in recorded history. (For more more maps and
information on the Kagoshima area, visit
THIS SITE.
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The image to the left, taken
from space in 1995, shows smoke rising from the crater
of the volcano Mt. Sakurajima.
Although
frequently blanketed with ash from Mt. Sakuarjima,
Kagoshima is a well-equipped cosmopolitan city, with an
international airport, a full complement of hotels, and
large shopping districts and malls. The city is served
by trams and boasts the finest Satsuma region cuisine:
kibi (tiny fishes), tonkatsu (caramelised pork,
as opposed to the breaded version encountered elsewhere
in Japan), smoked eel, and Karukan—sweet cakes made from
steamed yams and rice flour. A large, modern aquarium
has been installed on the old docks overlooking the
volcano and an exceptional traditional Japanese garden
of Senganen (Isoteien) is just outside the city. The St.
Xavier church is a reminder of the first Christian who
came to Japan. |
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In May of 1991, cinders from Mt.
Sakurajima were blown up to altitudes greater than 2500
meters. This photographer, caught the eruption along
with associated lightning. (For more on this volcano,
see
THESE PAGES.)
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Uchinoura Space Center
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