Golden Week - Day Four - Kagoshima

Sunday morning, I was up at 7:00 and on the Tsubame Super Express bound for Shin Yasuhiro to transfer to the connecting Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo. The Tsubame trains are super nice, with nice wood paneling inside, and cushy seats. It was a short ride though, 35 minutes from Kumamoto to Shin Yasuhiro, and 30 minutes to Kagoshima.

Once I left the station, I went down the escalator and saw...

Abraham Lincoln? Or is that Louis Poole in a Halloween costume?

On the ferry to Sakura Jima, the active volcano, the koinobori (carp flags) were blowing in the wind. Unfortunately, it looked like a massive storm was brewing, and the wind picked up a lot.

Sakura Jima

On Sakura Jima island.

Oudoor foot onsen

It was a little hot, and turned my legs pink, but it was super relaxing. I could get used to this. I'm making a note to visit an onsen back in Kobe. I can't believe I still haven't done that yet.

Traveling alone can be very fun, because I can be completely selfish and I don't have to consider what anyone else wants to do or eat or see. However, it can be pretty lonely, too.

Riding a bike and taking photos at the same time. I'm such a multi-tasker.

DINOSAUR PARK! I was so happy.

ROAR I WILL EAT YOUR BABY

... AND YOUR OLD PEOPLE!

Me being a dinosaur. I had to put my camera in the basket of the bike I rented to take this photo.

Like I said before, I rented a bike. Dinosaur Park was up an INSANE hill, like, four switchbacks. I was breathing pretty hard when I finally reached the top. The bike itself was fine, but the brakes were SQUEAKY. It sounded like the Craken as I was riding down the ungodly switch-back slope from Dino Park.

After I took the ferry back to Kagoshima, I got on the wrong tram, and I asked a girl which one went to the station. She spoke great English and walked with me to the next stop for transfers. Kyushu really does have some super nice people.

The hostel was clean and safe, but if the other hostels were like Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's, this one was like.... Wal-Mart. But hey cheap hostel right?

Golden Week - Day Three - Kumamoto

I left my hostel in Nagasaki at 8:00, and took the streetcar to the station. I stopped at a Lawson's to get some chicken for breakfast (hey, don't judge), and I saw this sign:

Ok, no big deal... oh wait, what does that say?

"Let's enjoy singing and dancing a limited time to one's heart's content". Quite the juxtaposition.

Four hours on a bus and I arrived at Kumamoto station. After walking in circles for literally an hour, I called the hostel to have them help me find the damn place. They walked outside and waved to me. On the bright side, the roof had a view of Kumamoto Castle.

... and a funny sign. I don't have a Scooby-Doo what 'to shinny up' means.
* My British friend taught me "Scooby-Doo"







Then it was time for dinner. I decided to try the local specialty, basashi. Basashi is (prepare yourself) raw horse. Yea.
Well hey there Mr. Ed.....

I biked over to a local butcher, and paid ¥380 for 100g.


And then I ate it. With a little soy sauce and some spicy ginger. Honestly, it's pretty good. It has a similar texture as sushi.

Onward, to Kumamoto castle!

Paper lanterns lined the street.

I'm getting pretty good at taking my own picture, if I do say so myself.

No matter what you do in your life, you will never be as badass as this man. He is in full armor, riding a damn TIGER! Also, he appears to be wearing a wizard hat. Maybe he's the Japanese version of Harry Potter.

Kumamoto Castle made out of toothpicks.

I have found every Toyoko Inn in Kyushu. They always seem to be right around the corner from where ever I am. Also, one of the older couples in the hostel was from Kobe too. It's a small world, after all.