Sakurajima

Its an island with an active volcano! Of course I had to go. Also I have this train pass burning a hole in my pocket, so you know I’ll be riding the train every day.

The bullet train was empty because I beat the crowd. That was nice.

Sakurajima is well known for its incredible soil. It’s not giant radish season, so I didn’t get to try any. Booo.

The locals make beautiful pottery from the ashes. Also, booze is made from sweet potatoes that grow in the area.

Part of the fun of the ferry ride is the udon served on board. The ride is short, and the challenge is to eat the bowl up before you get to the next port. I did not succeed.

Its actually not an island, technically, since 1914. The last big eruption kicked out so much lava it made more land.

Free public foot baths. Yes I put my feet in.

The visitor center had seismographs. Cool!

Its actively sending out ash and gases every day

Yes, I am very good at taking pictures, why do you ask?

View of kagoshima from the volcano’s slope

“Try to avoid getting older if possible”

Travel day to Fukuoka

I took the Shinkansen to the island of Kyushu yesterday. It is always such a pleasure to take a clean, fast ride.

Between food shopping, some personal business, and moving hotels, I didn’t get a lot of sightseeing done.

Here’s what I saw

Okayama’s mascot is called Peach Boy. Here he is being a firefighter

Hilariously large curry tonkotsu. It’s plastic and all, but i would absolutely try to eat this if it was real

At the local shrine. This is a Mikoshi, and its carried around the neighborhood on festival days.

Ohori Park. It’s the perfect size for a walk-around and a coffee

Naoshima Island

Nice day trip to an island that’s been overrun by artists. It’s still a fishing village, but the locals have managed to revitalize the economy. Respect. So many small towns have just up and died.

Id been wanting to see the big pumpkin for a while. The artist is one of my favorites.

The café is literally the living room lol

This is Doria, rice with meat sauce. The top is a murderous amount of cheese. Delicious.

I wish I had the space in my bag. This stuff was cool

At the station. These fishing floats are all made into cute animals

I desperately wanted so much of this used stuff. A lot of the smaller islands have these free reuse shops

Naoshima Island

Nice day trip to an island that’s been overrun by artists. It’s still a fishing village, but the locals have managed to revitalize the economy. Respect. So many small towns have just up and died.