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Spectacular views of Japan’s mountain ranges while flying to Kumamoto, the land of fire.
38,000 ft up in the air Come Along on a brilliant visual Journey Through the skies above Japan our flight path this time offers views of an or inspiring active volcano with plumes reaching Skyward so let us embark on the Wings about an hour’s drive from the heart of Tokyo we’ve come to Narita International Airport in Chiba prefecture welcoming over 32 million passengers annually it stands as Japan’s largest International airport nadita serves some 92 Airlines linking 115 cities across the globe including domestic destinations it has three terminals each
Of them caters to different airlines we’ll be using Terminal 3 today an area specifically designed for lowcost carriers that opened its doors in 2015 the terminals design is remarkably straightforward a strategic choice that kept construction costs low its lower airport fees allows for more affordable travel our destination is Kumamoto
Prefecture famous as the home of the volcanic Mount asso asso kumoto airport lies about 900 km west of Nita and the route promises spectacular close-up views of active volcanoes departure is at 1 p.m. sharp it’s about a 2H hour and 10minute flight to Kumamoto on this trip we’re flying on a
Small jet aircraft and guess what you’re in for a treat because both sides of this flight offer breathtaking views here we go it’s time to Fly immediately after takeoff the aircraft makes a sharp right turn for those Seated on the right hand side the expansive Lake kasumigaura comes into view it’s the second largest lake in Japan meanwhile on the left there’s kuikui Beach stretching 66 km this Sandy expanse is a Haven for
Surfers see those peculiar patterns on the ground those were all golf courses Chiba prefecture boasts the highest number of them in Japan 20 minutes after takeoff on the left hakon a hot spring Haven and Lake ashinoko a Caldera Lake formed by volcanic activity once reaching over shisa prefecture the plane levels out for
Horizontal flight on the right the Fuji 5 Lakes unfold around Mount Fuji as these come into view please direct your attention Downwards Mount Fuji’s crater seen from directly above 5 minutes later the Japanese Alps begin to Emerge welcoming people from overseas to Japan Narita International Airport protecting the country from hidden threats this is the vital role played by these Noble Guardians approximately 1 million people enter Japan through nadita Airport each month conducting checks of entrance and all their bags is one part of the job to prevent the entry of prohibited items one of the Guardians Maki takako keeps a watchful eye on the passengers luggage she observes passengers arriving
From Shang High some of their items capture her attention the passenger is a foreign worker in Japan returning from a visit home she finds the tropical fruit duanan the prohibited items she checks for are that’s right food as a plant quarantine officer she’s tasked with finding fruits vegetables and all Flora prohibited from
Entry our other Guardian kokubun hideyuki is an animal quarantine officer a key player in these efforts Dogs cun’s partner is a Beagle a breed with an exceptionally Keen sense of smell For things classified as prohibited items or plants without inspection certification cannot be brought into Japan many prohibited items are brought in unintentionally the intentional import of prohibited items will result in severe penalties day after day these Guardians Shield Japan from hard to see Threads it’s been an hour and 10 minutes since take off we’re flying over the stto Inland sea Japan’s largest sea of its kind it’s dotted with over 700 Islands Passing the setto Inland sea we reach cusu home to Kumamoto from here on ahead lies a series of active volcanoes now coming into view is the kuju mountain range with Peaks around 1,700 M tall we’re entering Kumamoto dub Japan’s land of Fire unfolding before our very eyes one of the world’s largest calderas formed by eruptions from Mount assor visible here is merely a fraction its entire circumference spans an impressive 100 km next look out to the left hand side of the Craft mount asso comes into Sight This rugged landscape and smoke belching silhouette is why Kumamoto is referred to by some as the land of fire with Kumamoto Castle in sight it’s nearly time for l In asso Kumamoto airport freshly renewed in 2023 connects eight domestic and three international cities in the new terminals boarding area an array of souvenir shops and restaurants offering a chance to taste Kumamoto specialty horse Sashimi at the airport a popular character awaits Us why it’s kumam mot’s mascot kumam dressed as a pilot here to greet Us our guide for kumoto born and raised in Kumamoto Taxi Driver hat suu In April 2016 a series of earthquakes with a maximum magnitude 7.3 struck Kumamoto as of 2024 restoration efforts are still ongoing next hat recommends sieni geen let’s ask him what’s special about this Garden but Hat’s favorite spot in the garden an ancient building with cultural Significance lastly hat suggests a visit to a traditional Japanese Sweet Shop here anyone can book a session to try their hand at making unique convections like these Looks great thank you for showing us around please fly with us again on on the wings