Tokyo Weekender - October 2017
A day in the life of a geisha. Find your perfect Kyushu. Plus Q&A with anime director Keiichi Hara, are robots taking our jobs?, Explore Japanese cuisine at GINZA SIX, and Tsukuda guide
A day in the life of a geisha. Find your perfect Kyushu. Plus Q&A with anime director Keiichi Hara, are robots taking our jobs?, Explore Japanese cuisine at GINZA SIX, and Tsukuda guide
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[ PROMOTION ]<br />
Trip 3:<br />
FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS<br />
Kagoshima Prefecture<br />
SAKURAJIMA VOLCANO<br />
As we stepped off the train at Kagoshima, it took us a moment to realize why there<br />
was a tinge of smoke in the air – then we remembered our destination, Sakurajima,<br />
is an active volcano. Erupting (harmlessly) hundreds of times a year, Sakurajima is<br />
one of Kyushu’s most unique destinations, with volcano-related attractions like a hot<br />
spring filled with dark, volcanic mineral-infused water. Skeptical? Give it a try at the<br />
free footbaths, where you can take in a view of the city and volcano across the bay.<br />
To get closer to said volcano, hop on a local bus (one leaves every hour for the volcano)<br />
or the Island View Bus – this bus only covers a portion of the island, so travelers<br />
interested in farther-flung sights, such as a shrine gate almost buried by an eruption<br />
in 1914, should rent a car or bicycle. Hungry? Thanks to its nutrient-rich volcanic soil,<br />
Sakurajima boasts record-sized daikon and delicious miniature mikan oranges.<br />
DAY 1<br />
HOW TO GET THERE If you’re coming from<br />
Kirishima (Trip 2), of then our take itinerary), JR Kyushu's then take Limited the<br />
JR Express Kyushu Kirishima limited express from Kirishima from Kokuba Jingu Station<br />
to Kagoshima-Chuo Station Station (about (about 30 minutes). 30 minutes). Sakura-<br />
Sakurajima is a 15-minute is a 15-minute ferry ride ferry from ride Kagoshima from<br />
city. Kagoshima Those in city. for Cyclists a day of can cycling ride from can ride Kirishima from<br />
Kirishima – the 70km – course the 70km takes course you by takes an art you museum, by an art a<br />
museum, kurozu black a kurozu vinegar black factory, vinegar volcano factory, observa-<br />
volcano<br />
observation points and points more. and more.<br />
WHERE TO STAY Ferries run 24/7, so travelers<br />
can easily stay on mainland Kagoshima – but<br />
those looking to stay on the island itself should<br />
check out hotel Rainbow (www.qkamura-s.com/<br />
sakurajima), which has a an hot attached spring. hot If you're spring. on<br />
If a budget, you're on peek a budget, the Sakurajima peek the Sakurajima Youth Hostel. Youth<br />
DAY 2<br />
YAKUSHIMA ISLAND<br />
Studio Ghibli’s 1997 epic Princess Mononoke takes place in a forest so lush and out of this<br />
world we’d always assumed it came straight from director Hayao Miyazaki’s imagination.<br />
As it turns out, Mononoke’s forest had a real-life model – the island of Yakushima, south of<br />
Kagoshima. For fans of that film – or nature enthusiasts in general – Yakushima’s biggest<br />
draw will be Shiratani Unsuikyo, a relatively easily accessible nature park filled with hiking<br />
trails and footpaths. Look out for the forest’s yakusugi cedar trees, some of which are literally<br />
thousands of years old. Aside from its special brand of trees, Yakushima also has yaku<br />
monkeys and yaku deer, both of which are smaller than their mainland brethren, and can be<br />
regularly spotted while walking the forests. Said forests aren't Yakushima's only attraction,<br />
though: the island also features activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and paddleboarding.<br />
Whatever you do, pack a raincoat: Yakushima is famed for its high levels of precipitation.<br />
HOW TO GET THERE Getting to Yakushima<br />
is part of the adventure. The island<br />
has its own airport, but we recommend<br />
grabbing the high-speed jetfoil from Kagoshima<br />
(how often, after all, do you get<br />
to ride on something called a “jetfoil”?).<br />
The journey takes between two and three<br />
hours and costs ¥15,000 for a round-trip.<br />
WHERE TO STAY Yakushima features<br />
a number of hotels, guesthouses and<br />
rentable cottages, many of which are near<br />
the jetfoil port. Blow all your money just<br />
getting here? Try out one of the island's<br />
six mountain huts, which are entirely<br />
free, as long as you arrive early enough to<br />
snag a spot.<br />
20 | OCTOBER <strong>2017</strong> | TOKYO WEEKENDER