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Ian Wright goes on an unusual journey to the Southern Islands
of Japan - from Kyushu down to the Yaeyama
Islands, Japan’s westernmost point, only 110
km from Taiwan. Using a  combination of flights and ferries,
Ian island-hops through the Pacific Islands
and proves that even Japan can be done on a budget.
He begins his trip in Tokyo, with it’s
congested sprawl of high rises, narrow alleys ablaze with
neon lights and surging crowds of office workers. Ian takes
refuge in one of Japan’s many hostess bars, where European
girls are paid large amounts of money just to sit and make
polite conversation with Japanese businessmen. No trip to
Tokyo is complete without experiencing the Japanese youth
scene at Yoyigikoen Park. Bands ranging from
hip hop to heavy metal compete to create a cacophony of noise
pollution. Ian has a bit of a run in with some Rockabillies,
after inadvertently treading on their turf.
The bullet train whisks Ian out of Tokyo at 200 mph to the
skiing resort of Zao Onsen. Here he becomes
the terror of the slopes and tries his hand at that peculiar
Japanese tradition of skiing  after nightfall. After all his
exertions he takes an open air bath surrounded by the slopes
and snow capped mountains.
Ian flies to Kyusho, the largest of Japan’s
Southern islands. He takes a trip to Mount Aso,
exploring the volcano at the centre of the island.
It’s then a short overland journey east to Nagasaki,
where Ian learns about the city’s unfortunate fate as
the second target of the atomic bomb, that was to signal the
end of hostilities during World War II. A flight south takes
him to Kagoshima, where he samples the lively
night -life and traditional fish restaurants. In nearby Beppu,
Ian experiences a sand bath – the heat rises from the
hot springs the create a boiling beach where the locals lie
down in a shallow trench and are buried up to their necks.
The sauna-like properties of the sand contain many therapeutic
properties for all types of aches and pains.
 Another flight takes Ian to the next island Okanawa,
scene of ferocious fighting at the end of the last war. Ian
explores the labyrinth of tunnels where thousands committed
suicide rather than be captured by the Americans. He also
witnesses some traditional aspects of Japanese society such
as bull fighting and snake versus mongoose battles, but this
leaves a rather unpleasant taste in his mouth.
The unspoilt tranquility of the Yaeyama Islands
are Ian’s final destination. On Iriomote he treks through
the jungle and ends his journey at the beautiful Binai water
falls. |
