Sakura Jima is still an active volcano, active meaning constantly smoking.

It could explode at any moment, red hot lava running down its sides, destroying everything in its path.

Sakura Jima is only a few kilometers away from the city.

Kagoshima is located on Kyushu Island.

The 1300 kilometers from Tokyo could be covered in a 90 minute flight for seven, our bullet train ride home to 680,000 people, which makes you wonder why people would live here at all.

But the city's identity is well connected with the volcano, which is what brings me here today.

The power of Kagoshima is volcanic underbelly can be felt in a brewski soon a machine consent or volcanic sand bath and experienced.

Documented in a previous only in Japan episode, the ferry line will give you a cheap right to Sakura Jima in less than 20 minutes.

The ferry runs 24 hours a day, but pretty empty during the off season.

It could be like this because it's a weekday afternoon, but maybe also because it's a freakin volcano.

The population of Sakura Jima's 4500 people and growing quite old.

Most young people deciding toe live on the mainland.

There's no high school on the island, so teenagers have to commute by ferry.

You can take a bus around the island, but many things to see and do right here near the ferry terminal like the Hachem ago.

She, Kara Susima lob a trail.

Anything with Lavon, it has got to be pretty awesome.

The trail offers several kilometers of paths along the coast.

It exists because lava from past eruptions pushed the island's limits, and the result is new land right here.

The rocks and sand here are black, the local economy relies on produce, and you can see me Constand's part of the year standing alone and competing with other me con farmers.

This one got my attention.

All right, look at that was in need of a snack, and here you have island me con little bit smaller for 100 yen.

The Sakura Jima Island Mickens are well known around Kyushu.

They're smaller than normal Macon's, but pack more flavor.

Ah, pack of seven or eight is super cheap.

This stand includes a photo of the meat country.

It's based on the honor system.

Apparently, that's Japan.

The lava trail offers unique landscapes and plant life, and the trail itself is well built.

Lots of long landscapes and sea breezes, fresh air.

Finding a boulder to sit on is easy, and picnicking is really the way to go For their small sweet.

There's a free on send foot bath here where you can rest your feet like all on sent.

The water is naturally heated from the geothermal energy under the ground that feels good.

Oh, after a long hike around the lava park, footbath just hits the spot.

Oh, and don't forget your towel.

Nearby is the Sakura Jima Visitor Center.

This is where you can see the history on the volcanic activity of the rock under your feet.

It's shocking to think of the amount of molten hot lava flowing not far away.

Eruptions at Sakura Jima happened 100 to 200 times a year.

Most are small birds compared to major eruptions where people need to be evacuated.

In fact, the city of Kagoshima, sometimes covered in ash 143 days a year on average.

People are so used to it that they sweep it off the cars and driveways like any normal day.

On this day, however, no quakes are eruptions.

The center is also a museum with a lot of geological data and info, which makes the trip the Sakura Jima much more meaningful.

There's a lot to explore here, so I boarded a bus that doesn't run very often.

Once every 60 to 90 minutes, there's little traffic, so bicycling is a good alternative.

It takes an hour to loop the island by bus or a few hours by bicycle.

There's the top of Sakura Jima right now.

We're in food Asato, and it's famous for its own scent.

There are two hotels here that have bads with beautiful seaside views.

This is the Sakura Jima Seaside Hotel, where both guests and day trippers can enjoy the onset.

The bath really is up against the sea.

There is a changing hut where you can leave your clothes.

No bathing suits allowed in Japanese baths.

It's a good idea to bring your own towel and soap and shampoo set for a shower after entrance is usually around 500 yen.

The water flows naturally from the ground and is loaded with minerals that is good for your skin and body.

You can see how it's discolored the ground surface here, but it's the view that's most impressive.

I time to my own son.

Visit with the return bus.

Ah, lot of things air closed during the off season like cafes and restaurants.

A reason it's so quiet.

But the island life must go on, and that means farming.

For this, the Sakura Jima monster Daikon radish.

It grows big from the nutritious volcanic soil.

There are loads of big daikon gifts and snacks representing its importance on the island.

The perfect gift, obviously, was a daikon radish, so I popped into the local supermarket.

These air Kagoshima Daikon radish is not quite as big as the ones grown in Sakura Jima but still way bigger than the normal sized ones.

Like 4 to 6 times bigger.

There was still a lot more to see, like the code okami buried gate, victim of the 1914 eruption.

The ferry itself is an attraction with the delicious soba and udon shop aboard.

No trip can officially end without a bowl of noodles.

It's a 15 minute ride from peer to peer, So order early on.

Yeah, volcano hiking adventure in Kagoshima complete.

Although it's an active volcano, Sakura Jima is a super chill place, and if traveling alone isn't your thing, take notice of the shops poster.

It doesn't mean you'll be alone on the trip back.

Maur episodes of Only in Japan coming soon on location from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

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See you next time matinee.