Full steam ahead to Kagoshima.

We have been to Fukuoka many times so were not intending to stay there. Instead we were heading into unknown territory - Kagoshima, a city right down the south of Kyushu. It is nicknamed the Naples of Japan because of the huge active volcano in its bay. The volcano is known as Sakurajima which means cherry tree island, because of the cherry trees that thrive in its fertile soil.

Before heading off to Kagoshima we took the Fukuoka subway to Ohorikoen Station and ate breakfast looking over Fukuoka castle moat. The moat was lined with plum trees which were covered in beautiful lilac blossoms. I strolled up to the castle gatehouse to take pictures. If we had had more time, I would happily have gone off to the rest of the castle ruins, too. This is our favourite part of Fukuoka.

Plum trees by the moat.

Plum trees by the moat.

Plum trees by the moat.

Azaleas.

Turtles.

The Gatehouse.

The Gatehouse

Plum Blossom.

Me by the moat.

Peter by the moat.

By the moat.

By the moat.

Next we walked to Ohori Park. This has a large lake and an island in its midst. Many people were hiring swan boats to go for a short cruise. The park flower beds were lined with various brightly coloured tulips. After enjoying the fresh air for a while we headed back to Hakata and took the fast train to Kagoshima.

Ohori Park.

Demeter statue, Ohori Park.

Flowers in Ohori Park.

Flowers in Ohori Park.

Flowers in Ohori Park.

Ohori Park.

Flowers in Ohori Park.

Although it is a long way, the train is so fast that it only takes just a little over an hour. The train is comfortable but there is no scenery as it is too fast and there are sound barriers. Kagoshima Chuo Station is next to a big shopping centre, Amu Plaza which has about 19 shops plus restaurants. On its roof there is a 91 metre high Ferris Wheel with 36 gondolas. In front of it there is a statue called the ‘Spirit of Young Satsuma.’ In 1865, at a time when travelling overseas was still forbidden nineteen young men set sail on a secret mission to learn the secrets of industrialisation from the west and then brought them back to Japan and used these to kick start the development of Japan.

Kagoshima Chuo Station.

The ‘Spirit of Young Satsuma.’

Statue and Ferris Wheel.

From Kagoshima Station we took tram number two to Takamibaba and the Dormy Inn Hotel. We were unsure what tram to take and the tram driver seeing us confused, came out of his cabin to check where we wanted to go and to tell us we could get there on his tram. All tram fares are the same price, you put money in the box next to the driver as you get off. Check-in was fine. Our room was small like all Japanese hotel rooms, but comfortable and clean. The shower was normal and easy to operate. The hotel had an onsen on the top floor.

Our Room at the Dormy Inn.

In the late afternoon we we went for a walk along the Kotsuki River. This was never on our to do list but we passed it on our tram ride from the station and I noticed it had lots of statues so I wanted a closer look. On the bridge the tram crossed over there was a statue of lots of smiling children and on the other side of the road a statue of an elegant Japanese lady. We also passed a statue of Ōkubo Toshimichi. He was one of three nobles who led the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration weakened the power of the shoguns and strengthened the emperor's powers. We then walked up the river past the flower market and then down past the Museum of the Meji Restoration. We passed a lion fountain, statues of two children and small statues of birds.

Children playing.

Us by the Kotsuki River.

Lion Fountain.

Statue of Ōkubo Toshimichi.

By the River.

By the River.

By the River.

Cherry Blossom.

Bird Statues.

Children Statues.

Children Statues.

Children Statues.

Children Statues.

The sun begins to set.

Statue of Elegant Japanese Lady.

Statue of Elegant Japanese Lady.

Me by the river.

Monuments on the river.

The sun begins to set.

Monuments on the river.

Monuments on the river.

That evening I used the onsen. It had a very hot outdoor pool, a quite hot, indoor pool and a cold plunge pool and a sauna. This hotel had stickers and notices on the glass division between the changing room and the onsen so I did not walk into it this time.

Heading for an onsen.

Our hotel also offered free 'midnight noodles' to their guests. This meant each evening between 9:30 and 11:00, you could go and get a bowl of delicious local noodles plus a hot or cold drink free of charge. We intended to try it once, but the noodles were so good we had them every evening.

Enjoying a bowl of noodles.