Japan 05/26 – Miyazaki Zoo, Kagoshima + Kono Park
The following morning found us in Miyazaki, a quaint coastal city with a zoo., with a couple of coasters.
Day 9 – Miyazaki Zoo
And there it is.
Found this little history piece on the main path in, showing a glimpse of an old jet coaster they used to have. Sad it’s gone.
Instead we get this magnificent specimen, #1 Mad Mouse.
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s always something about a ride with a funny face that makes it so much more desirable for the count.
And these single file things are usually pretty wild, embracing the chaos.
The other ‘coaster’ is a bit of a dubious one, but it’s well themed to dinosaurs and clowns.
#2 Pierrot Train had massive airtime, and it’s stood for 20 years without ever being photographed for RCDB so, as ever, you’re welcome.
Elsewhere in the zoo they have zoo things.
All in all, a decent morning out.
Took a drive over to Kagoshima for the afternoon, which has a couple of things going for it.
Predominantly a big volcano that came out of the sea right next to it, actively spewing on this occasion.
And the southernmost city of Kyushu.
Nice.
Day 10
The sort of original plan for the day (it could have also happened earlier, without rain) was to go from volcano to volcano. Unfortunately a helicopter crashed inside the crater of Mt. Aso earlier this year and obviously that’s a complete logistical nightmare to do even anything about. So, sadly, though you can usually drive up pretty much the whole thing, all the access roads were closed off for the foreseeable.
Instead, as a near equivalent alternative, nearby there’s a man and his dad who live with nearly 100 Shibas.
To many people that’s probably better.
While in the area, here’s some more general volcanic basin views, including what I assumed to be cracks in the ground from seismic activity.
Kōno Park
But to satiate the real thirst.
A very small park is another few hours away.
With yet another magnificent specimen.
Car park coasters are better when you can park directly under the supports.
#1 Mini Jet Coaster might be the flattest thing ever, but it wasn’t without its charm.
I particularly love the residential aesthetic.