10/08/2021 / Last updated : 28/10/2021 d.d Kyushu 2020-21

Yamanami Highway, Daikanpo and Nabegataki　やまなみハイウェイ、大観峰、鍋ヶ滝

As the pandemic slithers on, long distance travel seems inappropriate, but some relatively local excursions can be excused as contact free. In this spirit we head for Aso. This volcanic vent in central Kyushu is really outstanding and the surrounding area is spectacular in different, calmer ways. Today, we skirt the edge of the Aso caldera and visit Daikanpo. This is a viewing spot on the edge of the caldera that provides a view of the active volcano that is the centre of Mount Aso with all its attendant peaks. The most identifiable being the ragged skyline of Neko-dake. From this viewpoint, one can gain a clear idea of the […]

31/03/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Drive Tohoku Area

Urabandai hiking – Goshikinuma, Nakasenuma　五色沼、中瀬沼

June 22nd. Intermittent rain during the night at Ura Bandai michi no eki. The morning is overcast and threatening. Ominous clouds hang over the mountains. Goshikinuma We plan a short walk by the coloured ponds of Goshikinuma. Rain is forecast from 11am. but we hope we can manage a brief hike before then. After we set off, the weather improves and we are walking in intermittent sunshine. The weather remains changeable and the wonderful coloured ponds are frequently dimmed by cloud cover. This Goshikinuma hike is an excellent, easy walk (3.6km) for almost everyone. The path is mainly flat, the woods open and airy and the ponds a startling range […]

07/02/2020 / Last updated : 15/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Lake Mashu, Mt.Io and Kami no ko Ike　摩周湖、硫黄山、神の子池

June 12th. Lake Mashu A peaceful night at Mashu Onsen michi no eki but it becomes noisy around 5am., as the various shachuhaku (sleep in the car) vehicles prepare to leave. We sleep later, have a leisurely breakfast, and leave around 9. First, we make for Mashuko or Lake Mashu. This lake is famous for its magnificent blue and, equally famous, obscuring fog. On a previous visit, we were lucky to catch it on a day of serene blue sky so arrive with limited expectations as the day is overcast and grey. In fact, the lake is still a sight to behold. It is neither a piercing blue nor a […]

31/01/2020 / Last updated : 15/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Asahidake-summer snow　旭岳

June 10th. Higashikawa michi no eki turns out to be an ok place to stay. Even though the parking is a little separate from the michi no eki building and, therefore, the toilet, it is closer than many. It is also busy with buses in the morning and has no rubbish bins. On the other hand, it is quiet and handy for Asahidake which is our first objective for the day. The weather is debatable, so we decide to drive to the ropeway station and check the weather at the summit from there. On the way, we see another Northern Fox (Kitakitsune). Asahidake At the ropeway station, we learn that, […]

30/12/2019 / Last updated : 16/10/2021 d.d Drive Hokkaido Area

Cape Kamui and Shimamui Beach　神威岬と島武意海岸

June 2nd. You Yu Mori michi no eki You yu mori michi no eki is a reasonable place to overnight. The facilities are basic and somewhat odorous but adequate. There is a large car park with mature cherry trees and the odd shaped building offers a view of Hokkaido Komagatake. From the michi no eki we took route 5 for Oshamanbe. This is mostly a long, wide, straight road with low speed limits and numerous Potemkin patrol cars. A boring drive. The tedium was relieved by the impressive and unmistakable presence of Mt. Yotei. Niseko Oyunuma, volcanic pool　　ニセコお湯沼 At Niseko, we took Niseko Panorama Line (R. 66) and at Niseko […]

27/08/2019 / Last updated : 26/10/2021 d.d Kyushu Circumnavigation December 2017

Kirishima Open-Air Museum 霧島アートの森

Kirishima Open-Air Museum On a trip to see the eruption of Shinmoedake in Kirishima volcano, we discovered the Kirishima Open-Air Museum. This was a real surprise. As you wander around a large, pleasant park of grassy expanses and a woodland of spindly trees, you can view the work of a variety of artists. Being an open air exhibition, it is sculpture based. The works are, however, of wildly different concepts. They range from the outrageous pop of Kusama Yayoi’s huge polka-dot shoes, to the enigmatic, sinister yet vulnerable “Insiders”. Antony Gormley’s frail figures lurking in the thin trees. There is perhaps something for most tastes, solid stone, spindly things that […]

14/08/2019 / Last updated : 27/10/2021 d.d Kyushu Circumnavigation December 2017

Arimura lava field and Cape Sata　有村溶岩展望所、佐多岬

Arimura Lava Field A clear morning and a good view of Sakurajima. We can see the active crater which is on this side i.e. the landward side not the ferry port side. We head back towards the ferry port, however, as we want to walk around the Arimura lava field. This is an easy walk as the whole route is tarmac and the circuit takes only about 20 minutes. It is interesting to wander through these contorted rocks and wonder at the fact that these were molten flows. Sometimes this area is thick with fumes depending on the wind direction and the volcanic activity. I have also experienced the deep […]

14/08/2019 / Last updated : 28/10/2021 d.d Kyushu Circumnavigation December 2017

Ibusuki, Tamatebako Onsen and Sakurajima　指宿、桜島

December 10th. Ibusuki to Sakurajima. Tamatebako Onsen A good, quiet night so I can recommend Yamagawaminato Iokaido for an overnight stay. Quite a lot of activity on this Sunday morning, as people arrive to stock up on Katsuobushi. There is even a small bus tour, stopping to make purchases before 9am. We depart and make it back the 15 minute drive to Tamatebako Onsen. We are the first to arrive, still a few minutes early for a 9.30 opening. The entrance building is a modern, unimpressive, concrete structure which belies the experience within. Well, not the washing area which is small, only 8 washing stations, functional and rather cold as […]