Sakurajima

The largest island in the Kagoshima Bay, Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The eruption of 1914 was so violent that the lava flow connected the island to the eastern shore of the bay. The volcano was pacific enough when we visited the island, though a column of smoke could be seen emanating from the mouth of the crater...when the weather wasn't terrible, which was 90 percent of the time.

Views of the red tide:


The otorii of the Shinto shrine Kurokami-jinja, buried in the 1914 lava flow. The gate originally stood over 10 feet high.

View from Sakurajima:

In Furusato Onsen, a massive cliffside rotemburo on the bay featuring a cave-like sacred camphor tree and a shrine to a local dragon god. For hundreds of years locals have allegedly been filling up liter bottles and drinking the naturally hot water. It is reputed to be a remedy for hemorrhoids.



Sakurajima, the volcano: