Geo-touring in Kyushu

Geoparks, created by UNESCO's initiative in 2004, are aimed for people to learn more about the Earth and for invigorating local economies by using the parks for tourism. This time, we travel by car, starting from one of the geoparks - Mount Unzen in Shimabara, to Sakurajima in Kagoshima. It is a trip to feel the Earth's great energy and to learn about volcanoes and their connections to people's livelihood. Severe eruptions began on Mount Unzen in 1990. We will go near "Heisei-shinzan" peak that was created during the eruptions at the time, and witness scars left by streams of heated rocks and volcanic ash that flowed down the mountain. We will take a ferry to cross the Ariake Sea to go to Kumamoto. We will go close to the crater on Mount Aso, and feel the spooky smoke rising from the bottom of the crater. We will then visit an astronomical observatory (Luna Astronomical Observatory) at a pension in a village at the foot of the mountain. There, we will dip ourselves in thoughts about the Earth and the universe. The trip's last destination will be Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture. Sakurajima continues to spew out smoke even now. It is the most active volcano in Japan, repeatedly erupting 3 to 4 times a day. Our reporter will go around Sakurajima, visiting Sakurajima Daikon radish farms and other places, meeting people living with the volcano. With Daisuke Fukushima who has a doctor's degree in volcanology, the reporter will excavate a hot spring for himself alone. Our reporter will challenge a trip on a 4-wheel vehicle, covering about 800 kilometers, to experience the Earth's energy.