Mount Ass. O.

Our last two days in the Japan countryside have been based out of Hakata. Basically, we're using it as a base of operations and doing full day out trips.

Yesterday, we traveled to Beppu to experience their 8 hells. Tash was all pumped about them... they're basically 8 different variations on hotsprings. In total, we spent 4 hours traveling, and probably only about 90 minutes looking at the various springs. Each one of them was pretty simple, but each also had its own gimmick (like a crocodile farm...).

Generally, the Japanese people seem to have pretty reasonable common sense. I think we found our first exception. There was this Japanese woman, who, despite seeing the warning that the water was 95ºC, decided to try testing the temperature of the water and steam by putting her hands over one of the geothermal vents. Hilarity ensued of course. I guess the tourist bug trumps all.

Our second day was even crazier... we traveled 6 hours round trip (3 hrs each way) to Mt. Aso, which is apparently the world's largest active volcano + caldera. The weather report read sunny... so we decided to header. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a mean visibility of 3-4 meters (that's not an exaggeration, see the photos). "Although the cable car is running, there is poor weather today so you will not enjoy the view." Yeap.

So in summary... 6 hours of travel and 30 bucks in travel/admission charges, for 10 minutes of Mt. Aso (fog) viewing pleasure. But hey... the sulfur was still going strong. At least we got to smell the mountain. Oh. And funny english signs, we saw those too.

We ended up returning early to Hakata, and drowning our sorrows with food. Lots and LOTS of food.

Photo Albums:

Hakata
Food