Shigetomi Environmental Conservation Club

Japanese

Original nature lost

ーInvasive Natural Forests

Shigetomi forest used to be full of beautiful natural trees, but it has now lost its original appearance because of the invasion of non-native species.
While a well-maintained summit area retains its scenic beauty, the area from the foot to the middle of the mountain has been devastated owing to the neglect of bamboo forests and extensive growth of Moso bamboo, a non-native species.
In addition to Moso bamboo, the presence of other invasive alien plants, such as Chayote and Japanese Knotweed has been confirmed. If this trend continues, many natural forests may be lost to the invasion of non-native species.

The overgrowth of bamboo, particularly Moso bamboo, which thrives in the Shigetomi forest, has also caused landslides and driftwood damage in recent years. Natural forests, which are increasingly invaded by non-native species, are known to protect the local people from disasters.

ーInvasive Alien Species

Non-native species are organisms that are not originally and naturally grown in an area, but have been introduced from other areas due to human activities. The problem with invasive alien species is deep-rooted; many non-native plant and animal species have been identified in the prefecture. While the major focus is on animals, such as the Mongoose and Black Bass, invasive plant species also cause a variety of problems that impact the ecosystem.
The proliferation of neglected non-native species not only degrades the landscape but also prevents the growth of native and endemic species that originally inhabited the area, resulting in the loss of the beauty of old-growth forests. Other invasive alien species also affect human life, or cause damage to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It is essential to adhere to the three principles of invasive species prevention: "do not introduce," "do not discard," and "do not spread," to help solve the problem of invasive species proliferating in various parts of Japan.

Historic and Beautiful Shigetomi

ーShigetomi's Original Nature

The Shigetomi district of Aira City has a magnificent view that overlooks Sakurajima and Kinko Bay. In 2012, the tideland adjacent to Shigetomi Beach was designated as a national park due to its rich natural environment.
The beautiful ocean that spans the Shigetomi coast is protected by the richness of Shigetomi Forest. Shigetomi Forest was originally a bountiful place inhabited by a wide variety of flora and fauna. The coexistence of plants and animals, and the nutrients produced by the trees flowed from the river to the ocean providing energy for marine life. There is a Japanese saying, ”the forest nurtures the sea”, and Shigetomi's forests have protected and nurtured the beautiful shallows along the Shigetomi coast.

ーShigetomi as a Transportation Hub

The Shigetomi area was once an important transportation hub, as was the land around the port and train station. Shirakanezaka, which was used as a road to the castle during the Warring States period, and Wakimoto-ura, as a port for ships, which was the center of traffic and trade, are located in this area. Shigetomi Station, one of the oldest stations in the prefecture, was established in the middle of the Meiji period. Shigetomi has prospered as a transportation hub since ancient times and is steeped in Kagoshima's history.

【Shirakanezaka】

During the Edo period, the Satsuma clan ignored the directives of the Shogunate and established its own defense network, known as the outer castle system. Samurai villages, called fumoto were constructed in various regions around their domain. It is said that warriors who were going to the castle from these outlying villages climbed the hill via Shirakanezaka, which was a major roadway. At that time, Shirakanezaka was the border between the Osumi and Satsuma domains, and it is said that warlords set up camps on this slope during the Warring States period.
It is also said that the castle was accessed by boat from the port of Wakimoto-ura at the foot of the hill to avoid the difficult climb up the Shirakanezaka slope.

【Wakimoto-ura】

During the Edo period, Wakimoto-ura was a port for vessels of various sizes, mainly for transportation and trade. It was also the entrance to Shirakanezaka and greeted people crossing the bay from the Osumi Peninsula - a thriving transportation hub for the Satsuma clan. The Shigetomi Offshore, which can be seen from Wakimoto-ura, is also the site of the beginning of the Anglo-Satsuma War. The Anglo-Satsuma War began with the Namamugi Incident, and was a battle between the Satsuma clan and the British Royal Navy. The British fleet was visiting Shigetomi to negotiate compensation for the Namamugi Incident and surrounded a steamer that was turning around at Wakimoto-ura, capturing Godai Tomoatsu and Terashima Munenori, who were in command of the steamer. The Satsuma Clan regarded this action as an attack from the British and began bombarding the area, and the sea seen from Wakimoto-ura became the scene of a short but intense battle.
Wakimoto-ura not only supported its people's daily lives by serving as a trading port at the end of Kagoshima Bay but was also the first fort to intercept the British fleet that attacked Satsuma.

【Shigetomi Station】

Japan's first railroad was officially inaugurated in 1872 between Shimbashi and Yokohama stations in Tokyo. In Kyushu, the first railroad line was opened in 1889 between Hakata Station and a temporary station at Chitosegawa. In 1895, the Nippo Main Line began operating between Kokura and Yoshiwara stations, and the line was subsequently extended to various locations across Kyushu. In Kagoshima prefecture, the first railroad line opened between Kagoshima and Kokubu Stations (now Hayato Station) in 1901. Shigetomi Station was one of the first four stations (Kagoshima Station, Shigetomi Station, Kajiki Station, and Kokubu Station), and railroad users came from as far away as Miyakonojo and Kamo. The town continued to prosper as a short-distance transportation hub, connecting the surrounding areas by horse-drawn carriages. Shigetomi Station, which is still used as a boarding and alighting point for JR users, is one of the oldest stations in the prefecture, and overlooks the Shigetomi area.