Fodor's Expert Review Sakura-jima Volcano

Sakurajima is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Visible from Kagoshima City, across Kinko Bay, it is spews thick plumes of ash and smoke almost daily. The last big eruption was in 1955, but the far side of the cone sometimes lets loose with explosive belching that lights the night sky red and covers the island of Sakurajima in a blanket of ash. There are scattered lodgings and hot springs at the base of the volcano, as well as winding paths up to old lava plateaus with great views over the crater or back toward town. There are usually four ferries per hour from Kagoshima City to the Sakurajima. The one-way adult fare for the 10- to 15-minute trip is ¥200.