Kyushu in winter
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December 28, 2014 - Kyushu in winter
So, I landed in Tokyo just after two, intending to take the overnight Sunrise Train to Okayama and then a morning train to Kagoshima.
Naturally, the train was full as everyone was using it as golden week was approaching and I had to take many last shinkansen of the day to reach Fukukoka the hour before the next day.
I reached Kagoshima, the next day just after 11 am.
My Jetfoil to Yakushima was after one, so taking the bus timing into consideration, I went for lunch.
Juan (Joo-Aunt) is a black pig shabu shabby restaurant nearby Kagoshima Chuo station (Shinkansen and bus terminal). I saw it on TV once I thought to give a try. Marbled pork with various spices! There is even ramen noodle that is cooked using the leftover shabu shabu water infused with pork and vegetable stock.
Note that the ferry terminal does not really do announcements in English to call. So please ask twenty minutes before ferry departure where to head to. Or you can just walk out the north exit, that works too.
Also note, that not all the counters deal with Yakushima. The terminal also serves Tanegashima (Jaxa and surfing) and Sakurajima.
The ferry ride is nothing too exciting.
After walking about Miyanoura town trying and somehow managing to get dinner (there aren't that many restaurants in this small town) plus trying to explain to an curious local in horrible broken Japanese about the history of my country (Of all the questions to ask me! Why would I even know about the word "Colony" or "Independence" or "Communism"??)
... the next day soon arrived.
I had prebooked a walking tour, a week before flying into Japan, and upon arrival at my Guesthouse I was informed that the tour guides had contacted the owner and a meeting point was settled.
After picking my team up and then another team at another guesthouse (?), we arrived just past six for the Shiratani walk.
For better or worse, there are some pretty nice places but there aren't too many of them. Furthermore, the walk is pretty rough, steps; roots; planks; muddy ground; rocks aren't too welcoming. Some parts require clinging onto ropes and other parts aren't wide enough for two way traffic.
That was till I reached the peak.
Due to size restrictions, the panaroma shot cannot be shown. But it was beautiful.
Then it started to rain (I insisted it was snow but the guide said it was rain). A few moments later mini hail started falling.
Descending a mountain with hail on your back is no fun.
Moral of this tale, bring a rain coat. Bring a hat. Go in summer.
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List of Posts:
2014/12/28 - Kyushu in winter 2013/11/15 - Off the beaten path- Western Japan 2013/05/21 - Getting lost on the outskirts of Kyoto 2013/05/20 - Uncommon but fun places 2013/05/19 - Mifune Matsuri and off the road temples 2013/05/18 - Off the beaten path |
