A Lost Park by the Volcano
A silent island, a smoking crater, and strange relics at the volcano’s edge.
As part of our trip to Japan in December 2023, we made our way south to Kagoshima—a city shaped by quiet streets, coastal light, and the looming presence of Sakurajima. Just across the bay, this active volcano has defined the region’s landscape and psyche for generations. Its last major eruption in 1914 buried entire villages and connected the island to the mainland with rivers of lava. More recent eruptions, in 2016 and 2024, keep the threat alive, and while parts of the island remain inhabited, others lie abandoned beneath volcanic debris.
At the foot of this smoking crater, we stumbled upon something strangely unforgettable: a fading dinosaur park. Hidden among trees and ash, giant concrete creatures stood in eerie silence, mid-roar, as if frozen in time. There were no visitors—only us. It felt like a dreamscape, suspended between natural force and forgotten fantasy. In this post, we trace this surreal chapter of our winter journey through southern Kyushu.
All images shot on Kodak Gold 200, using a Mamiya RZ67 and a Ricoh FF-9.
