桜島 Sakurajima (literally, Sakura island)

Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes and used to be an island of the same name (now linked to the Kyushu Peninsula after a massive eruption in 1914). There are plenty of lava fields and walking trails on Sakurajima.

Mummy and I with Sakurajima in the hazy background. Plants only start growing on lava rocks about 30 years after an eruption.

Uncle and I standing on what was formerly 鳥島 Torishima (Bird island) that merged with Sakurajima after the 1914 eruption.

桜島大根 Sakurajima daikon (radish)

Sakurajima is famous for being the home of the world's largest daikons. Sakurajima daikons are round, rather than long, and weigh around 20kg on average! The one in the Guiness Book of World Records weighs 40kg and measures 1.5m in circumference!

ok, here's a real one...

and here's Mummy next to a real one, which is starting to rot since it's been sitting on that bench for the last few months.

And here're Sakurajima's signature items incorporated into their street lamps' design.

黒神 Kurokami Buried Torii Gate

Here, you can witness the devastation caused by the 1914 eruption as only the top of this 3m-high torii gate remains visible.

垂水 Tarumizu Rest Stop

On the way from Sakurajima to Miyazaki, we stopped at the Tarumizu Rest Stop for lunch and to enjoy Japan's longest foot bath (60m long) for free.

Great view of Sakurajima from the foot bath.

Beautiful spring flowers in full bloom at Tarumizu

鵜戸神宮 Udo Jingu

Took the scenic Nichinan coastline route to Miyazaki. Stopped at the beautiful Udo Shrine, which is in a cave next to the ocean.

Shrine entrance

Beautiful ocean view along the long walk in

Finally, we catch a view of the breathtakingly beautiful Udo Shrine

Shrine in the cave

There is an interesting practice at this shrine. You buy 5 運玉 undama (lucky stones, basically clay pebbles with the word "luck" imprinted) from the shrine for 100 yen...

...and then try to throw them into the depression on the back of this turtle-shaped rock in the ocean. If your lucky stone lands in the target area, your wish will come true. Men have to throw with their left hands and women with their right.

Daddy managed to land 3 of his in the target area (2 in the bull's eye)!

宮崎 Miyazaki

Miyazaki has many delicious kinds of food. Miyazaki beef is only 1 grade below Kobe beef (but better in my opinion cos it's not as fatty as the latter). We had nice thick slabs for yakiniku...couldn't have them in steak form cos we did not make reservations :( Forgot to take pictures of that, sorry...too busy eating ;P

But besides beef and other chicken dishes, Miyazaki mangoes also have a very good reputation within Japan. I don't think they produce a lot of it, so it is sold mainly within Japan and is reputedly very sweet. I can't confirm that fact because I can't bring myself to pay 6,000-yen (S$78) for just one mango!!