Streetcar : The Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) is the only Toden tram line left in Tokyo, which runs from Minowabashi Station to Waseda Station. Taking this tram is a fantastic way to get a taste of authentic Tokyo. Typically trams serve as a tourist attraction in busy cities, however this small tram is used for commuting by locals.

Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street : Approximately 800 meters long is a road filled with about two hundred shops, cafes and restaurants. Jizo-dori is affectionately called 'Grandma's Harajuku'. There are quaint shops selling tea, sweets and seaweed. It's a slower pace of life on this street and you can spend several hours wandering around as warm shop keepers beckon you in. The entire street is full of a sense of nostalgia as shops and restaurants cater to 'how it used to be'.

Lunch at Jizo Soba Ohashiya : The food is fresh and beautifully presented. You can choose from a wide selection of dishes from their menu, and then admire the many photographs on the wall of Japanese celebrities eating at the restaurant. The atmosphere is really relaxing.

Joyful Minowa Shopping Street : Joyful Minowa Shopping Street is a traditional covered shopping street in Tokyo. This lively shopping street is lined with eateries, boutiques, teahouses and grocery stores. The street has a wonderful aroma of food being cooked and if you are feeling hungry, there are lots of meat skewers, deep fried chicken, pork and vegetables and seafood. If you are a coffee fan, Papa Noel's is recommended as they roast their own beans daily.

Sumida Hokusai Museum : The Sumida Hokusai Museum is a contemporary-style museum, featuring exhibits on the life & art of Katsushika Hokusai. He is one of Japans most famous artists, and you can see his life and works comprehensively. There is also an amusing animatronic facsimile of his life at the time. The interactive displays bring the art to life. The layout and design is incredibly swish and the entire museum has a definite upscale feel to it.

Sky bus : The sky bus is surely the best way to experience Tokyo at night. Board an open-deck bus and take a trip around Tokyo's most famous sights. The bus takes passengers to see Tokyo Tower lit up against the night sky and also goes directly beneath the Rainbow Bridge. It is marvellous to feel the wind whip around you as you whizz around the city. There is time to stop at Aqua City in Odaiba, which allows you one hour of free time to get something to eat or take night shots with the beautiful Rainbow Bridge in the background. This tour (about two hours) is the perfect way to enjoy many of Tokyo's night spots in a short amount of time.

Dinner at Tsukiji Sushiko : It is hard to imagine that you would have a decent meal in shopping mall, however the food at Tsukiji Sushiko is outstanding. The sushi was colourful and fresh and prepared by sushi chefs in front of us. The restaurant also has a menu that is easy to comprehend for western visitors, which is very handy. The entire ambiance of the restaurant is very warm and inviting and is full of people enjoying plates of sushi.

ANA Domestic flight : ANA domestic flights have brilliant domestic flight service which is smooth and prompt. The flight was on time and was comfortable and calm. They provide much needed hot drinks on those early morning flights.

Lunch at Umi no Ohkan : The lunch menu at Umi no Ohkan is packed with fresh fish and specialties that will give you a real taste of Japan. The views of the Kinko bay and the volcano are a brilliant addition to the ambiance of the restaurant. There's nothing quite like eating fresh sushi with an active volcano view.

Sakurajima (Active volcano) : Living near an active volcano certainly makes life interesting. Local residents have learnt to co-exist with the frequent eruptions through their lives in this area. Look out for raised umbrellas when 'Sakurajima' spews volcanic ash. The area of Kagoshima itself is an otherworldly blend of the traditional and tropical. The volcano spews out ash on a regular basis, which makes for some amazing travel photos.

Life near an active volcano : Sakurajima is one of Japan's most active volcanoes, blasting out ash most days. It's really interesting to visit the Arimura Lava Observatory and Sakurajima Visitor Center and get to know what this is like and how the volcano has shaped the area and impacted the lives of residents.

Distance from volcano, convenience, etc. : The views are utterly picturesque. The area is compact and contains nature and many activities. My favourite is the free foot spas that have a lovely view of Sakurajima. It is rather splendid to soak your feet in a natural hot spring foot bath with a volcano view. This free foot spa is located opposite Sakurajima Visitor Center & inside of Yogan Nagisa Lava Park. It's the best way to unwind.

Dinner at Wasan : This small and inviting restaurant, located in the retro-flavoured Meizanbori area, has a marvellous atmosphere for dinner. You can watch your food be prepared from not only counter seats but also table seats. It's a really special experience to see the talented chefs at work preparing Japanese dishes. There are a range of dishes to try. The food is utterly incredible and carefully prepared by dedicated staff. The sushi is particularly wonderful and the local beef is unlike anything you will ever taste.

Express Ibusuki no Tamatebako : The 'Ibusuki no Tamatebako' is a gorgeous train that takes you on a scenic route from Kagoshima-chuo Station to Ibusuki. Grab a window seat and kick back with a coffee from the service trolley and enjoy stunning sea views. This has to be one of the most scenic train rides you will ever take as it passes by the Kinko bay, the Sakurajima volcano and leafy residential areas. It is a must do activity in Kagoshima.

Views of Chiringashima Island : Chiringashima is a pretty and uninhabited island in Kinko Bay. It is connected to the mainland by a sand bar only when the sea is at low tide. The sandbar roughly appears for one to four hours a day and allows you to walk across to the island in about twenty minutes. You can also rent a bike and bike around the area and enjoy the lovely nature views.

Lunch at Ibusuki Shusuien : This restaurant has a calm and relaxing atmosphere and has very upscale décor. You can dine in your own private room and be served delectable tempura and delicious bowls of noodles. It's a lovely place to have a quiet and intimate lunch with family, friends or colleagues and the service is really excellent.

Views of Ibusuki Shusuien → Mt. Uomidake Observatory : The whole area is full of nature and vibrancy and it really feels like a totally different part of Japan, especially after coming from Tokyo. Driving around in this area also seems really calm and peaceful, with the scenic views being especially great. 

Chiringashima Island: views from Mt. Uomidake Observatory : If you are a fan of panoramic views this is a wonderful spot to get some great shots of Chiringashima Island. It's a bit of a trek up but the views are really worth it. Try and visit when the temperatures are a little cooler. If you want to see the sandbar disappear though, check the tide times and you can watch it sink beneath the water in front of your eyes.

Hot steam sand bath (Sunamushi Onsen) experience : Having a hot steam sand bath is a really unique experience in Japan. Once you are in your robe you will be taken down by the beach and buried under layers of sand. This is unlike any other spa experience. You can relax under the weight of the warm sand. It is definitely an activity you must try in japan, if for the eye-catching photos you will get.

Dinner (Kagomma Furusato Yataimura food stall village):The Kagomma Furusato Yataimura food stall village is a collection of small restaurants where you can try a range of Japanese food offerings. It's really nice to wander around and visit several different stalls so that you can sample a range of dishes including seafood dishes, noodle dishes and meat dishes. The atmosphere is really lively and friendly as locals gather to eat, drink and catch up with friends.

Walking tour of Kirishima Open-Air Museum : The Kirishima Open-Air Museum is a brilliant place to experience art in a natural setting. There are twenty-three sculptures and impressive art pieces scattered around. You can take a walk and discover art. The pieces are blending into their grounds and becoming part of the landscape. It's a lovely way of seeing a range of sculptures and installations that are bursting with creativity.

Lunch (Kimama na Kitchen) : This lunch setting is like something a fairytale. You can sit amongst nature in a forested setting. It is really special to eat a beautifully prepared lunch as you listen to the sounds of nature.

It was wonderful to see two completely different sides of Japan in one trip. Having short travel time and comfortable domestic flights opens up travel possibilities from Tokyo to other areas. The contrast between the busy capital and the calmness of Kagoshima shows that Japan is a very diverse and interesting place to visit that is full of surprises.