For our big day kicking ass all around Kagoshima, mom and I got a great start by pretending to be dead on the floor of our room. Japanese futons, even the ones you get at a cheap hotel, are damn comfortable – something that my parents will willingly attest to methinks.

The most famous geographic landmark of Kagoshima is the island in the harbor – Sakurajima, or “Cherry-blossom Island.” The island itself is solely composed of a volcano, the last eruption of which a few decades ago actually created a small lava landbridge to shore… so if you want to be picky Sakurajima is no longer a jima! Whether the cherry blossoms in the name are literal, or a metaphor for the fiery heart of the island I don’t know, but mom and I duly commemorated our visit in any case.

Continue reading Heaths Come to Japan – Day 5 – Kagoshima, the End of Japan →