Western Japan 2009: Islands and Mountains

During this trip, I went to two islands and hike up two mountains, as I preferred to "hang-out" with Mother Nature, then to wander around the concrete jungle.. Some of these trips didn't have anything to offer but a good work-out, while some offered spectacular views..

Here are my reviews:
Sakurajima (桜島), Kagoshima
View: 4 out of 5
Fun: 4.5 out of 5
Time spent: 4 hours on bicycle [¥300 an hour] not including ferry trip. Great way to see incredible scenery..


Iojima (伊王島), Nagasaki
View: 3 out of 5
Fun: 2 out of 5, lack of transportation options
Time spent: 3 hours, walking under the sun with temperature spiking at 39 degrees..


Mt Inasa (稲佐山), Nagasaki
View: 3 out of 5 without sunset, 4 out of 5 with sunset and night view
Fun: 2.5 out of 5
Time spent: 2 hours, took the Ropeway and had dinner at the restaurant on top of Mt Inasa..


Mt Misen (弥山), Miyajima, Hiroshima
View: 4 out of 5, worth the hike up..
Fun: 3 out of 5, nothing to see along the hike..kinda monotonous..
Time spent: Spent the whole day in Miyajima, took me almost 80mins to hike up Mt Misen from Daisho-in Temple.


More photos of these islands and mountains here..