Page 171 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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Figure 9.6 Volcano tourism on Mt Aso involves family members of any age group
Note: The long walkways are user friendly for wheelchairs and strollers

mixing with ‘normal’ water is rejected as is any reached from Kagoshima by ferry within half an
adulteration of natural hot spring water with hour. Not far from the ferry terminal on Sakurajima
chemicals which is condemned by the Japanese Island is a visitor information centre with access to
onsen connoisseur. This goes for all natural a lava trail (3km long) through lava extrusions
(volcanic) hot springs in Japan. from the Taisho eruption. Directly at the waterfront
is a new outdoor foot spa fed by hot springs,
Mt Sakurajima which is unusual due to its extraordinary length

Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, is – hard to estimate afterwards from photos and
an island opposite the city of Kagoshima in the memory, but as it is not in a straight line it may be
south of Kyushu, but during the great Taisho at least 60m or even longer.
eruption in 1914 the island was connected to the The visitor centre itself is a reinforced concrete
mainland by extensive lava flows and is now structure, built to withstand at least the average
considered a peninsula within the Aira caldera eruptions of Sakurajima, and offers a good selection
which includes Kagoshima (Kinko) Bay. Sakurajima of information for tourists about the volcanic
is erupting currently on a daily basis and attracts history of the mountain, the local ecology and
many visitors to the island and the surrounding disaster prevention measures. Many sightseeing
mainland with striking displays of rising ash spots can be found all over the island and can be
columns and rumbling noises. Sakurajima is part easily accessed by following the ring road. Concrete
of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park and can be shelters are found along the roads, most of them

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