The Akou in Fujino

After a while, you will notice a huge tree growing over the road from the right side. It is called “Akou”. It is F.superba var. japonica in scientific name, which belongs to Order Rosales, Family Moraceae, Genus Ficus. It is said to be a strangler tree, but it is rarely found in Honshu Island except in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Kii Peninsula. These trees have been designated as a natural monument.

 

When you see the pine trees on the ocean side, it is the Kuromatsu Water Park and Saido Beach. There are two beaches on Sakurajima: this one and the Rainbow Beach near Sakurajima Port. On the right side of the road is Sakurajima Junior High School. Former Japanese national team soccer player Yasuhito Endo is a graduate of this school. It used to be a strong soccer school. The schoolyard is a lawn. Behind that school is the Sakurajima Branch Office of the City Hall (Sakurajima Town Office before the merger with Kagoshima City) and the Sakurajima West Detachment of the Fire Department.

 

Okay, everyone. Please take another look at Sakurajima Mountain. You may have seen Sakurajima from the west where Kagoshima City and Sakurajima Port are located, but does it look completely different from the north? There are mainly two mountains in Sakurajima: Kitadake (North) and Minamidake (South). Kitadake has been active since the birth of Sakurajima 26,000 years ago and ceased to erupt 5,000 years ago. It was replaced by Minamidake, which became active 4,500 years ago. Because Kitadake has not flowed lava since then, it has only eroded unilaterally and is quite craggy as you see. That is also why the road you walked so far has been flat.

 

Yes, on the other side, you will see the ocean. If you are lucky, you can see wild dolphins. Personally, I think we see dolphins easily on the north side. It may be because the road is closer to the coast.