Southern Kyushu, Japan

In late May 2011, I sampled the new extention to the Japanese bullet train network that runs down to Kagoshima in the south of Kyushu Island in Western Japan. The route is covered by the Japan Rail pass that can be purchased for travel on the JR rail system in weekly durations. On arrival at the smart new rail terminal in Kagoshima, a local train was used to get to the resort town of Ibusuki Onsen and our stay at the Ibusuki Iwasaki Resort Hotel, for a 2 night seaside stay. The resort is in a volcanic area of Japan and a highlight of staying here is to experience a natural sandbath, where you can lie in hot sand heated naturally by volcanic activity below. The hotel itself and the dark sand beach were quiet during our midweek stay. A local guide was hired for the day next day to take us around the area, which borders Yaku National Park. The countryside is extremely fertile, given the volcanic soil, high rainfall and warm temperatures, with tobacco being grown in fields along with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Our guide took us to Lake Ikeda, a mysterious circular crater lake home to giant eels, so probably not much else then. I didn't see any other life on the lake, put it this way. A 2 night stay in Kagoshima followed, Kagoshima is a big modern port city and gateway to the many islands off the Japanese south-west coast. Located in the bay a few miles out is the volcano of Sakurajima, active constantly since 1955, and an island until 1914 when lava flow from a massive eruption cemented the island to the mainland, on which a highway has been built connecting the island to Kyushu itself. A constant stream of ferries run from Kagoshima taking 15 minutes across the bay to reach Sakurajima, which saves the long drive right around the bay otherwise. A visit to the volcano observatory was made, along with a circuit of the island stopping a various points of interest. Back in Kagoshima, a good overview of the city centre area can had from a ride on the huge London-eye style ferris wheel, which is located at the central station entertainment complex. Kagoshima also has a aquarium worth visiting. All in all, an interesting part of Japan and an area not often visited by overseas residents. And a fabulous train ride to get there.