Awakening on the morning of the 17th, we headed for the station to board our train for Kumamoto, where we would transfer to another train for Kagoshima.
View from the window of our room in Hotel Kamenoi, Beppu
view of Hotel Kamenoi from the train to Kumamotocountryside from train between Beppu and Kumamotocrops from train between Beppu and Kumamotoflooded rice paddies from train to Kumamotofarms from window of train to Kumamoto
It was a long journey, but the scenery was enjoyable. We talked with some college track and field students as we passed Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan (circumference of the caldera is 125 km). We never saw it, but, we passed by it safely. Likely a good thing.
flooded rice paddies near Kumamotoflooded rice paddies near Kumamotoagricultural valley near Kumamoto
At long last, we arrived in Kagoshima, our stop for the next 2 nights. We caught a taxi to take us to our hotel.
When we rolled up to Iwasakitani-so Ryokan (our hotel in Kagoshima), we were greeted by no less than 17 staff members, all bowing to welcome us. We were shown to our room and introduced to our personal room attendant who would serve our meals and make up the futons each night.
Kagoshima City (鹿児島市), is the capital city of Kagoshima Prefecture. Located at the southwestern tip of the island of Kyushu, Kagoshima is the largest city in the prefecture by some margin. It has been nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern world” for its bay location (Aira Caldera), hot climate, and emblematic stratovolcano, Sakurajima. The city was officially founded on April 1, 1889. It merged with Taniyama City on April 29, 1967 and with Yoshida Town, Sakurajima Town, Kiire Town, Matsumoto Town and Kōriyama Town on November 1, 2004.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Kagoshima and Sakurajima Island (active volcano) from window of Iwasakitani-so Ryokan, Kagoshimaour room at Iwasakitani-so Ryokan, Kagoshima – set up for arrival
We wandered the town a bit and noticed that everyone’s car wore a cloth cover. Naively, we wondered why.
Back to our ryokan, we were excited about our ryokan experience, until supper arrived and we saw it was all raw fish. Although we struggled valiantly, we could not finish it. When our room attendant came to clear the dishes, she was dismayed to see so much food remaining. Trying to be polite, we sheepishly explained that we were very full.
our dinner feast at Iwasakitani-so Ryokan, Kagoshimadining in progressour room at Iwasakitani-so Ryokan, Kagoshima – futons spread out on tatami mat floors, all set up for sleeping
Looking at the futon/tatami mat bed, we wonder how we would cope at our age now. We can no longer do floor. 😁
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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13 thoughts on “Analogue Adventures – Beppu to Kagoshima 1985 – Day 7”
Such beautiful landscapes! Mike and I could not do raw fish – ever, nor can we do floor anymore, either, but how lovely the people you encountered must have been.
Stay tuned for further developments in the raw fish saga, tomorrow. I do not mind sushi, but it needs to be cooked or veg. I am absolutely certain that the meal the hotel put on for us was expensive and was likely very delicious for the right people. Just not for us. The people in Japan were always polite and helpful. Thanks for reading Kellye. Allan
Awesome photos from the past, I love Kagoshima. The last time we were there, we took the ferry across to the volcano to see it up close before heading a few days to Yakushima Island for some hiking.
Allan, I am eyeing that floor from the same perspective. Given that I have to make a couple of nightly trips and with a very creaky knee – yikes. I wouldn’t be able to do that now. I’m also not much into raw fish, either. I would have found that meal difficult. Great post; thanks for sharing.
It was a great experience in my 30s but now, I might be able to get down, but likely not back up. I feel really bad about our reaction to the meal, but it was all surf and no turf. Should have asked if there was a western meal option 😊Glad you are enjoying this old journey. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
Train travel in Japan is amongst the best in the world. Fast, punctual and comfortable, and nobody tries to sit in your reserved seat. In 2009, we also saw rice paddies when they were ready for harvest. An amazing crop, but now the Japanese eat more wheat than rice. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan.
Seeing the rice paddies on a train seems like seeing vineyards go by! That’s strange you weren’t able to finish your dinner. They deliberately have small plates, so you can eat many of them until you are full
For sure. Though Japanese are now consuming more wheat than rice. As to not finishing the meal, two words “raw fish”. Our unsophisticated palates did not like it. Our loss, as I am sure they were all well prepared and delicious. Happy Friday. Allan
PHOTO DROP 
Looks like a wonderful trip. 😊
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The Japan Rail Pass really was the way to go. We made good use of it. Thanks for reading pepper. Allan
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Such beautiful landscapes! Mike and I could not do raw fish – ever, nor can we do floor anymore, either, but how lovely the people you encountered must have been.
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Stay tuned for further developments in the raw fish saga, tomorrow. I do not mind sushi, but it needs to be cooked or veg. I am absolutely certain that the meal the hotel put on for us was expensive and was likely very delicious for the right people. Just not for us. The people in Japan were always polite and helpful. Thanks for reading Kellye. Allan
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Awesome photos from the past, I love Kagoshima. The last time we were there, we took the ferry across to the volcano to see it up close before heading a few days to Yakushima Island for some hiking.
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I agree. Kagoshima was a great visit. Still one more post to come from our visit there. Its a doozie. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Allan, I am eyeing that floor from the same perspective. Given that I have to make a couple of nightly trips and with a very creaky knee – yikes. I wouldn’t be able to do that now. I’m also not much into raw fish, either. I would have found that meal difficult. Great post; thanks for sharing.
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It was a great experience in my 30s but now, I might be able to get down, but likely not back up. I feel really bad about our reaction to the meal, but it was all surf and no turf. Should have asked if there was a western meal option 😊Glad you are enjoying this old journey. Thanks for reading Lynette. Allan
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I enjoy travelling by train as it’s a great way to see more of the countryside. It’s neat to see the flooded rice paddies.
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Train travel in Japan is amongst the best in the world. Fast, punctual and comfortable, and nobody tries to sit in your reserved seat. In 2009, we also saw rice paddies when they were ready for harvest. An amazing crop, but now the Japanese eat more wheat than rice. Thanks for reading Linda. Allan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seeing the rice paddies on a train seems like seeing vineyards go by! That’s strange you weren’t able to finish your dinner. They deliberately have small plates, so you can eat many of them until you are full
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. Though Japanese are now consuming more wheat than rice. As to not finishing the meal, two words “raw fish”. Our unsophisticated palates did not like it. Our loss, as I am sure they were all well prepared and delicious. Happy Friday. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person