(6) Kyushu Trip: 18-19 Dec 2016 - Sakurajima / Aoshima / Miyazaki

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18-December-2016

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This day we planned a day trip to Sakurajima.

We woke up early in the morning and went to a nearby cafe to have our breakfast before setting off to catch a ferry to Sakurajima.

We drove to the Kagoshima Port. Here was the ferry.

All onboard!

Sakurajima (桜島) is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and the symbol of Kagoshima. The volcano smokes constantly, and minor eruptions often take place multiple times per day. Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay, Sakurajima is the area's most prominent geographic feature, having an elevation of 1117 meters and a circumference of about 50 kilometers. Before a powerful eruption in 1914, Sakurajima used to be an island in the bay, but the massive lava flow from that eruption created the volcano's current land connection to the Osumi Peninsula in the east. For the majority of travelers, however, the volcano is still most easily accessed by the ferries that run the 3.5 kilometers between Kagoshima Port and the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. Sakurajima has three main peaks: Kita-dake ("north peak", 1117 meters), Naka-dake ("middle peak" 1060 meters) and Minami-dake ("southern peak", 1040 meters). The Minami-dake peak is currently the most active, with many eruptions taking place from the Showa Crater on the peak's eastern slope. It is prohibited to approach within two kilometers of the volcano's craters, but there are many observation points around Sakurajima where eruptions can be observed from about three kilometers away.

Finally arrived at Sakurajima.

We decided to drive round the island in a clockwise direction.

There were several observation points set up around the island to allow visitors to view the active volcano from various angles and from safe distances.

Like I said before, the volcano is still active until now. Smoke can be seen spewing out from the volcano.

The abundant volcanic soil found on the island provide good nutrient to vegetation and plantation. We took some back home.

While travelling on the eastern side of the island, we came upon a Shinto gate semi-buried by volcanic lava 黒神埋没鳥居

A volcanic rock.

It was a very slow scenic drive round the island and visiting the various observation points. It was time to bid farewell to Sakurajima and head back to Kagoshima City.

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19-December-2016

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We checked out of the Airbnb apartment and set off eastwards towards Aoshima.

Along the way, a stopover for short break and refreshments.

Finally arrived at Aoshima after a long drive.

Aoshima Island (青島, Aoshima) is a small, beautiful island just off of the coast of the resort beaches south of Miyazaki City. Aoshima is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is ringed by white beaches surrounding a subtropical jungle at the island's center. It is a 1.5 kilometer walk around Aoshima's beaches with a number of canvas stands selling souvenirs along the way. At the center of the island is Aoshima Jinja, a colorful shrine set back in the jungle that is said to bring luck to married couples. Make sure to follow the short path to the right of the shrine's main building through the jungle to a smaller outlying shrine. The scenery and silence along the way can be quite mesmerizing. At the small shrine you can buy clay disks which are thrown at a target for luck. The shallow water around the island has a geological phenomenon known as Oni no Sentakuita, or devil's washboard. Visible at low tide, these perfectly straight rows of basalt rock look as if they must be the remnants of something manmade. They are natural formations, however, which can be found farther south along the Nichinan Coast as well.

Devil's Washboard

Aoshima Shrine

We left a good luck token at the shrine too.

The bridge linking Kyushu mainland and Aoshima

Next, we drove south along the Nichinan coast to Udo Shrine.

Udo Shrine (鵜戸神宮, Udo Jingū), located on the Nichinan Coast south of Miyazaki City, is dedicated to Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan. This brightly painted shrine is set in a cave on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and so enjoys a spectacular view.

Next, we came to this Sun Messe Nichinan.

With a wide panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the Sun Messe Nichinan also has replicas of the Moai statues from the Easter Island placed here and there in the area. The Sun Messe Nichinan is the only place alll over the world that has been permitted to replicate the Moai statues. There are restaurants and also tourist viewing areas inside the park.