After two attempts and two consecutive 6am starts I failed to make it to Yakushima Island. Very disappointing but such is the way with these remote places. Ever resourceful, I was prepared for all eventualities. After all, I knew passage to Yakushima was not guaranteed.

So instead of gallivanting through a forest, plan B was to go traipsing around Sakurajima. It was thoroughly exhausting and by the end my feet were covered in ash.

I enjoyed a lovely rest at a hot-spring foot spa and was sound asleep by 6pm.