Yukura Shrine | Review by Linda Liao

The moment I arrived at the Nakadake Crater of Mt. Aso, the only word to describe it was “spectacular.” The sight before me was completely different from an ordinary tourist attraction. Nakadake is still an active volcano, and standing in front of the crater, I could feel the power contained within nature, which also added a sense of tension to the trip.

Even before reaching the crater, I could already smell the strong sulfur odor. Along the mountain road, there were many emergency shelters built in case of an eruption. I couldn't help imagining that if the volcanic activity suddenly intensified, these shelters would be an important line of defense for protecting visitors. Along with the magnificent volcanic scenery, the journey also inspired a greater sense of awe toward nature.

After reaching the crater and looking down from above, I could see white smoke continuously rising from it, like a huge living creature breathing. Occasionally, there was also a gurgling sound, as if a huge pot of scorching mud were boiling beneath the volcano. It was both interesting and astonishing.

Because Mt. Aso is still volcanically active, professionals closely monitor it every day. If the weather is poor or volcanic activity becomes more frequent, access may be restricted or even prohibited. The winds at the summit are also quite strong, and breathing in the sulfur odor for too long isn't advisable, so after taking photos and briefly experiencing the awe of the place, we hurried away.

Mt. Aso is definitely worth experiencing in person. However, due to a helicopter crash this year, the relevant areas are currently still closed. I hope they can reopen once the volcanic activity and safety conditions have stabilized.

If you're sightseeing in Aso, I definitely recommend riding the Aso Boy! at least once. The ride lasts over an hour, but it's never boring. From the moment the train pulls into the station, you'll barely put your camera down!

The entire train, from the exterior to the inside of the cars, is full of thoughtful details, with delicate, cute decorations tucked into every corner. You'll keep taking pictures of everything along the way. Kuro, the star of the train, is especially irresistible. Adults and children alike are almost all won over by him, and in the end, you'll willingly walk into the shop and switch into “keep spending” mode (lol).

The onboard shop is really popular, so if there are any limited-edition items you want, I recommend heading there as soon as you board. Many items are available only in limited quantities, and once they're sold out, they're gone. Especially when you watch the people ahead of you frantically clearing the shelves, that heartbreaking feeling of “it's right there, but I can't buy it” really stays with you! The last time I rode, it happened to be during China's October holiday, and the buying power of the tour groups was incredible. Saying they “cleared the shelves” is no exaggeration.

If you have a JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS, you can also reserve a seat directly using the online reservation service included with the pass. If you're lucky enough to reserve a seat in the first car directly behind the conductor, it's definitely a prime seat! Sitting at the very front and watching the train pass through Aso's green tunnels and forests, with scene after scene coming toward you, is an unforgettable visual feast. If you visit Aso, don't forget to come play with Kuro!

I made a special trip to Sapporo PARCO to look around and find the BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE store. I’d seen it at the airport several times before, but the popular styles were always sold out or there wasn’t much selection, so it wasn’t easy to really browse. This time, I finally had the chance to take my time at the downtown store and see Issey Miyake’s distinctive geometric designs in person. From the different materials and color combinations to the details of each bag shape, every style is highly recognizable and quite pleasing to look at.