Kyushu Island Part 1
Monday, 1 May 2023 8:57 am
Into the cavernous hull of the ferry ship from Shikoko island to Kyushi island.
Cost for a 6.2m vehicle and 2 travellers Y22700 = A$250
Its a 2.50 hour voyage from Yawatahama to the port of Usuki.
First call was to the Usuki Stone Buddhas.
Estimated to be carved in the 12 century, the 50 statues are now selected and a National Treasure of Japan.
This was a potential camp site with a great view to Mt Kuju active volcano (in site) and Mt Aso San to the right and out of view, but we met this lovely couple and started to chat.
He has a strong interest in caravans and owned the German Aveda van.
We Are now camped up in an empty 500 car park below a ski lift facility that is closed for summer.
I so wish I could speak some Japanese this couple were so excited to see the GX and wanted to talk....
Camp 10 - Empty Ski Lift Camp
Today : 170 Kms
Total : 1245 Kms
Cost Nil
Monday 1st May 2023
Today was a volcanic day .
The Aso caldera is one of the largest in the world.covering an area of 380Km2.
The catastrophic eruption occurred around 90,000 years ago leaving this huge crater.
The pyroclastic flow covered most of northern Kyushu and covered Japan with volcanic ash.
Today in the centre of this ancient caldera are 5 active volcanoes the most active being the Nakadake Crater.
This is a view from one of the many lookouts - photo taken by Mariomi Photography.
We met the lovely couple at the lookout
The 5 active volcanoes are said to image Buddha lying down.
The most recent eruption was in 2016 and that took out the cable car system behind the GX
Idols looking towards the mother of ancient volcanoes - Mt Kishimadake.
We then drove up the active volcano - Mt Nakadake, and walked around the active caldera
Just to prove that just again we stand on the edge of an active volcano.
The last time was in Ethiopia with molten lava just below us.
A more tranquil scene is Lyn bowing out of respect at a 2000 year old Shrine.
In the same Shrine were the remains of a 2000 year old Cedar tree.
The spring colours still beautiful.
Camp 11 - Empty Car Park Camp - Toilets closed !!
Today : 104Kms
Total : 1, 348 Kms
Cost Nil
Tuesday 2nd May 2023
Takachiho a small town with a huge and picturesque gorge.
But first an open air old train journey over the gorge and the Japans tallest rail bridge - 105m above the Takachiho Gorge.
Yes it’s on all the post cards but it is worth it. We did try for the boat ride but it was booked out days in advance.
Formed around 120,000 years ago the water has worn its way down through massive hexagonal lava columns.
Progress ?
Three levels of bridge building:
Stone Bridge below
Steel Bridge in the middle
Concrete Bridge above background
Camp 12 - Michi Road Station-
Palm Tree Park Camp
Today : 210 Kms
Total : 1, 558 Kms
Cost Nil
We travelled 60kms of the E10 expressway south and showing the Google Translation of ‘Camping Car’ cost was only $20...bonus
The vehicle is a ‘attraction’
Wednesday 3rd May 2023
Next morning we awake and there must be 30+ campers in the carpark. Most are vans with a bed in the back, a couple of Taiwanese manufactured modules and a Japanese Aveda from Germany.
Cape Toi is a ‘Tourist’ attraction and wild life reserve, yet the animals that the locals stop the vehicles and take photographs of are these horses roaming the grassy hills.
The roads and campgrounds are busy because there are 3 public holidays in a row. The 5th May is Children's day hence the fish flags.
The black= The father
The red = The Mother
The other colours = the children.
It symbolises a school of Carp swimming upstream that turns into a dragon ad flies away to Heaven
A very beautiful drive down the eastern coast of southern Kyushu Island.
Old houses and great coastal views.
Even spotted some surfers braving the chilly waters.
Todays highlight - access to the Uchinoura Japanese Space Centre.
We could walk around both the 25 and the 34m Parabolic Antennae.
Camp 13 - Road side pull off - All you need is a few square meters of flat ground
And with a view over the Pacific Ocean !
Today : 174Kms
Total : 1,732 Kms
Cost Nil
Very peaceful
Thursday 4th May 2023
We cut across the Osumi Peninsula to the ferry town of Kyushu
Caught the vehicular ferry across the bay ( Y4400 = A$50) to Ibusuki.
Camp 14 - Camped in a car park, under the Kaimon Volcano cloud
Today : 52Kms
Total : 1,784Kms
Cost Nil
Very peaceful, as at now
It is an active Volcano !