akira ohmura is a local tour guide who has lived here for six years, and he says he loves the energysand isn't really sand, but lava ash. tourists who he meets are always surprised that the volcano erupts so frequently, and that people actually live here — but that's because they are so well—prepared. the monitoring equipment here is some of the best in the world and locals take the danger in their stride. mayumi ohyama was recently forced to evacuate from her beloved home town. but in spite of the constant threat of upheaval, she wouldn't live anywhere else. and there are some fringe benefits from living in a volcanic zone. south of kagoshima lies ibusuki, a unique hot spring resort. basically i am about to be slow baked in a sand oven of 50 celsius. wow! for therapeutic reasons, i am assured. it's hot. i'm sweating underneath here. and it's — it's a very strange experience, but i think the thing is to just relax into it, i guess. so, at the end of my all—too—brief time injapan, i'm struck by the sheer diversity of the country in terms of culture, landscape and people. yeah, you are

akira ohmura is a local tour guide who has lived here for six years, and he says he loves the energyke the danger in their stride. mayumi ohyama was recently forced to evacuate from her beloved hometown. but in spite of the constant threat of upheaval, she wouldn't live anywhere else. and there are some fringe benefits from living in a volcanic zone. south of kagoshima lies ibusuki, a unique hot spring resort. basically i am about to be slow baked in a sand oven of 50 celsius. for therapeutic reasons, i am assured. it's hot, i'm sweating underneath here. and it is a very strange experience, but i think the thing is to just relax into it, i guess. so at the end of my all—too—brief time injapan, i am struck by the sheer diversity of the country in terms of culture, landscape and people. yeah, you are smart! you're good! laughs. as soon as i got off the regular tourist trail, i encountered quirky, humorous, adaptable individuals who love to live life to the max. and ultimately, i am left with a deep sense of serenity and tradition that is, i would venture to say, uniquely japanese. that