Mt Aso Volcano Trip 10/23-24/10

It's shortly after 7:30 AM and that's Yumi - our tour guide for our trip this weekend. Mt Aso is the only active volcano in Japan, and the world's largest, so we're very excited!


Driving along the river near the Kintai Bridge, I am reminded that most hills in Japan are shaped like this . . . the Japanese islands were all created by volcanic activity.


Hills and valleys and a stream - as seen from the Sanyo Expressway as we speed along at the posted speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour (49.7 mph!).


On the expressway as we head west toward Kyushu Island. That's the movie, "The 3 Amigos" playing overhead. These tour buses are VERY comfortable and we stop every 2 hours to rest, so it's such a nice way to travel.


Looking out at the Seto Inland Sea. It's a beautiful day! This Sanyo expressway follows Route 2, so it travels more inland than Hwy 188, but because it's elevated, we can sometimes get close enough to see it.