Microblog

Drippy day. Took train to Dazaifu, established 1,300 years ago, ruled Kyushu for about 500 years.

Fukuoka, my base for the next 4 nights. It’s a good center: I can catch trains going north, south, east, or west.

Beppu, northeastern Kyushu, giving thanks for the hot springs.

Posted World-class style in a small-town train station.

Hiked into the clouds to the top of Yufusan, northern Kyushu. A good day.

The rain was bouncing off the platform and I could hear thunder. I abandoned my hike and took the next train back.

Posted Animatronic Hell.

Dejima, Nagasaki: tulips, representing the strong Dutch connection with Nagasaki, brighten up a rainy day.

Posted Channeling Eva Gabor. Karaoke and worse.

Unzen-Amakusa National Park. Every time I saw a sign pointing to a peak, I climbed the peak.

Unzen: my view and room. Monks came in 701 AD to reflect on the 84,000 tortures awaiting wrongdoers in the afterlife.

Today I go to the mountains of Unzen: bus from Kumamoto, ferry, then another bus.

Blossoms are at their peak around Kumamoto Castle.

First bullet train ride on this trip. I’ve died and gone to heaven, or, Kumamoto. An official gave me some stickers.

Walked around Senganen Garden, Kagoshima, created 1658. It uses the bay and Sakurajima volcano as “borrowed scenery.”

Kirishima … National Park. Ridge trail, then climb (Mt. Takachiho, 5,160 ft.). Most of the trail was 2011 ash.