Kirishima

In April 2026, a family trip of six people, including an 80-year-old elder, was planned. Considering the difficulty of renting large vehicles in Kagoshima, we decided to hire a private bus. The company sent a small bus with "Kagoshima Kotsu" printed on it. I looked it up online and found it's a local private transportation company, a local bus operator. The driver (Japanese, who didn't speak Chinese) met us at the hotel in a smart uniform and kindly discussed the itinerary with us. (I speak basic Japanese and even shamelessly used single Japanese words to communicate 😅) We wanted to visit Kirishima Shrine, Kirishima Onsen Market, and Takachiho Ranch, as well as restaurants near Kirishima Mythical Village Park, which I had seen online. The driver mentioned that there's a wooden bus station near Kirishima Onsen Market, which is currently the oldest preserved wooden bus station in Japan, and suggested we visit it as well. The day was sunny (high of 30 degrees Celsius). As we passed Kagoshima Airport and Ryuo Falls, the driver introduced us to the area. Upon arriving at Kizuki Station, he thoughtfully explained the surroundings (including the location of the restrooms) and quickly went inside to check train arrival times. Unfortunately, the train had just departed five minutes before we arrived… Seeing the station name "Karirikawa" reminded me of a trip I took from Hitoyoshi to Kagoshima with friends 12 years ago, where we visited this station. It was fun revisiting it. I mentioned this to the driver, who seemed a little surprised. He said fewer people take the train now, making driving more convenient and faster. After a foot bath and some souvenirs at the Kirishima Onsen Market, the driver took us to Maruo Falls, explaining that it's a hot spring waterfall, hence the absence of fish in the water. 🐟 Later, during our visit to Kirishima Shrine, our driver kindly helped us borrow a wheelchair from the shrine to make it easier for the elderly to get around. He showed us the sacred trees inside the shrine grounds with 1 yen, explaining the difference between a shrine and a temple, and mentioning that there are over 8 million shrines in Japan—more than convenience stores! 🤣🤣🤣 (I later saw a poster about shrine inspections and thought of the driver again.) At noon, the driver took us to "Kirishima Pass Tea House" for lunch. The tea house was full of locals, and the main dishes were very generous; the two young men were stuffed. The tea house had a great location with views of all the mountains of Kirishima ⛰️. The chopsticks bags were printed with the names of the mountains, a thoughtful touch. I've forgotten the driver's name, but I remember him telling a Japanese lame joke and asking me about gasoline prices in Taiwan.

Our driver, Xiao Wang, served us for three days, taking us around the city. He was not only a very skilled driver, but also had a great attitude, which made our trip to Fukuoka and Yufuin a safe and enjoyable one!