Kagoshima (Japan)

Beautiful morning sunrise to welcome us to the southern of the five main islands of Japan.

Kagoshima has a population of about 500,000 people which is a clear difference from Taipei. We were met by a small but enthusiastic group of people waving us a welcome with international flags.

The excursion for today focused on the highlights of the city. This consisted of a trip through the city to a well known garden and a ferry trip to their very active volcano.

Sangam-en Shoko Shuseikan has been designated an UNESCO heritage site because of the significant contribution made by the Shimadzu family to introduce and expand industrialization within the local community and the country of Japan.

Today, there is a very small museum and remnants of the factories that the family owned. A glass making enterprise continues to thrive. Next to the industrial complex the family had a residence which they used when not in the city. Originally built by Shimadzu Mitsuhisa in 1658, the Shogan rule continued into the 20th century. Most of the area has been devoted to replicating the housing and gardens of the family.

On to the ferry and a visit to the picturesque Sakurajima volcano.

I was not particularly comforted in learning that the volcano that we were about to visit had recently erupted but no turning back.

Cheers and good night Joey.