Kagoshima is a city know for its active volcano, Sakurajima. Its unique blend of natural beauty and mystery was intriguing. Today’s adventure, however, took an unexpected turn, adding a dash of fun communication like no other.
Our day began with a taxi ride. With our trusty driver turned guide, whose English extended to a warm smile and a few enthusiastic nods, we relied on the magic of Google Translate to bridge the language gap. We were leery at first but it ended up being the best tour guide ever! The ensuing conversation, a delightful game of technological charades, had us giving a thumbs up or a big smile on the instant recognition of understanding.
We stopped at Shengen-en, a serene garden bursting with beautiful flowers and bushes with sculpted trees and gorgeous ponds with mini waterfalls. Despite the language barrier, the beauty of the meticulously manicured landscapes spoke for itself. We wandered through the quiet space, listening to the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. We even saw a powerful eagle.
Next, we embarked on a ferry ride, with our taxi driver included, to Sakurajima, a volcanic island that dominates Kagoshima’s skyline. The ride was a little chilly outside so we hung out upstairs making the 15 minute trip across the Kinko bay and marveled as we approached the imposing figure of the volcano. With Chuck’s lingering hip issue, he utilizes the elevators as much as possible. On this particular trip, our taxi driver leading the way up the steps, showed his phone to Chuck. It said “you can take the elevator down” and he started laughing. Chuck was laughing too and said he had a funny sense of humor!
The main attraction, Sakurajima, is constantly smoking, reminding everyone of its power. It’s been erupting for centuries, with records dating back to 708 AD. The 1914 eruption was a real game-changer, literally connecting the island to the mainland.
While you can’t climb to the summit or venture too close due to the current Alert Level 3, there are still ways to appreciate Sakurajima’s grandeur. Imagine the thrill of seeing plumes of ash rise from the peak, a breathtaking reminder of the power of our earth. We weren’t lucky (or unlucky) enough to see an eruption but we did see lots of ash scattered along the walkways from a small spewing from yesterday.
The shadow of Sakurajima looms large over Kagoshima City. Despite the ever-present risk, (they say they are due for the big one at any time) the city and volcano coexist. The city thrives, and the volcano continues its fiery dance. It’s a powerful reminder of nature’s might and Japanese people willingness to live within its grasp.
Driving off the ferry, we made our way to the Arimura Lava Observatory, a vantage point offering breathtaking views of the volcanic landscape. Here, through diagrams and the patient explanations (and enthusiastic gestures) of our guide, we gained a deeper appreciation for the island’s volatile nature. He was a true native and knew all about this massive volcano.
Our exploration continued with a visit to a volcanic shelter, a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature. The presence of hard hats in the many shelters made it surreal that this could happen any time without warning!
Another highlight of the day was the buried shrine gate, a haunting testament to the 1914 eruption, burying the 10 foot gate, leaving only about 3 feet showing. More than half-buried in ash, the people tried to dig up the shrine gate, but, the village chief suggested to keep alive the memories of the eruption. So, now it is a shrine.
As the day drew to a close, we piled back into our trusty taxi, our conversations full of laughter and satisfaction of a day well-spent. Despite the language barrier, our taxi driver turned guide’s infectious enthusiasm and our reliance on technology had created a unique and unforgettable experience. Kagoshima had not only unveiled its elegance but also reminded us of the beauty of human connection, even when words fail us.
As our taxi driver let us out of the car, we talked about providing him with a tip. It is not customary in Japan to provide gratuity for taxi drivers. We didn’t want to insult him but felt he deserved recognition for his willingness to entertain us for the full day. The look on his face showed he was overjoyed at our thoughtfulness and generosity of the financial gift. We truly enjoyed our day with him.
Tomorrow we get another break before we reach Tokyo for two days. It’ll be nice to catch up on some rest and this blog. I dont like being behind but with so much to talk about and no breaks in between, it takes me a little more time. But I love chronicling our travels and I especially love giving others a glance into a world that I never thought would be possible for the only girl amongst 6 boys born to a waitress mother and a backyard mechanic dad in a little town in Texas. God is Good!
May He bless you always!
Chuck & Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 