Sakurajima Volcano, Kagoshima, Japan

A rather disconcerting sight!  This is Sakurajima Volcano which is active right now, belching great clouds of ash out of its crater.  We are docked across the bay from this amazing sight, and we are told there is nothing to worry about ... hope they're right!

This morning, we visited Chiran Gardens, considered one of the 100 most beautiful historic locations in Japan.  We enjoyed some lovely gardens complete with koi ponds and exquisitely manicured trees and shrubs.  Also a traditional Samurai house as well as a traditional farm house.  (See extras).

Afterwards, we drove on to the Chiran Peace Museum  which preserves and displays materials left by the deceased Army pilots (the Kamikaze) of the unprecedented "Toko" operation in Okinawa during the final moments of World War II.  Once again, a very sobering and sad experience, but one we are glad to have seen.  I found it a little difficult emotionally, because my father's back was broken at Okinawa by a Kamikaze pilot who flew his Zero into the smokestack of the LST my dad was serving aboard.  Even though my dad never could forgive the Japanese, I hope he would now understand why his daughter silently prayed for forgiveness and peace today.