April 27, 2013

• April 27, 2013 Trip to Sakurajima

  April 27, 2013  Trip to Sakurajima

  Besides weeding and visiting MIL while we are in Kagoshima, we occasionally do a little "Go Somewhere" in the city.  This city happens to contain an active volcano, Sakurajima.  At the moment there is a hole in the back side of the mountain that is quite active.  It puts out clouds of ash and/or steam several times a day.  

   

  This was taken from a bus on the way to the airport sometime in March. During the winter months the prevailing winds blow away from the city, but during the summer the wind shifts to bring all the ash directly over the city. Fun, fun.

  

  We got on a ferry and crossed Kinko Bay for a brief bus tour.  Here is some scenery from the first stop.  Note the hardened lava in the foreground. 

  

   Who is that, Godzilla?

  

   No, just DH with a monster face on.  Being raised with this scenery does that to you.

  

  We have gotten off the bus at the next stop, which happens to be next to a small graveyard.  Note the roofs over the gravestones to protect against falling ash and rocks. 

  

  Here is some more scenery from our bus stop.  While we were here several large trucks passed by headed up the mountain.  Channels have been made on the mountainside that are referred to as "dry rivers."  Their purpose is to control the flow of the ashy mud that is often washed down the mountainside by seasonal rains.  The trucks were going up to clear ash and debris from the dry rivers so that they don't become filled in.  See that sign down the road?  We are going there.

  

  Welcome to the Murayama Pottery Studio.  I have been here once before and had been hankering to get back again.  You can click here to see pictures of the first trip.

   

  Have a look around the showroom.  Everything here has been made, glazed and fired on the premises.

   

  The studio also boasts a wild inoshishi pig named Taro.  Taro is a boy's name, but the pig is female.

  

  There is also an emu on the property.  I asked why, and was told that the birdy was originally owned by someone in Satsuma Sendai.  The owner did not realize that birdy would get THAT big and found it a new home on Sakurajima.

   

  Emus apparently have unique double shafted feathers.  This sign explains the differences between emus and ostriches.

   

  These vases were interesting, but I really have enough vases.

  

   We picked up a few dishes and coffee cups.  See the yellow bags near the cat?  Those are specially designated for volcanic ash disposal.  They are regularly passed out by City Hall.

   

   The scenery makes a nice advertisement.

  

  The kiln chimney

  

  We got back on the bus and did not get a seat, but I did get some nice pictures!  Next stop is an observation platform.

  

  From the observation platform

  

  Hey, no eruptions?  No action??

  

  Seen from the observation platform - Looking back at Kagoshima City.  The land in the foreground is a lava field.

  

  Our tour bus

  

  Let's get on the ferry back to the city.

  

  Dern!  Just as we have left the action starts.

  • 08:58
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