Rules are rules in Japan and even if your rooms ready your not checking in until 3PM. The same dedication to the straight and narrow observed by the hotels doesn't extend to their map making, several hotels we have stayed at show themselves as being next to the local train station, the reality a 15 min walk.
So after arriving hot and sweaty after our hike from the train station we had to make do with a quick change of shoes in reception before heading off to climb Aso-San. Catching a cab to the start of the walk was pretty easy, getting to the top of this active volcano proved otherwise. The chairlift which removes the need to walk the first steep 4km of uphill was out of order, something about an earthquake.
As we approached the summit we came across what looked like the yellow brick road lined with eruption shelters, not sure if they would save you from a full scale eruption but they make a great place to have lunch sheltering from the wind.
On getting to the summit we thought better of walking round the crater as gusts of wind nearly knocked us off our feet, for once common sense prevailed and we walked back to the local train station.
Highlights: Japans largest active volcano
No comments:
Post a Comment