Land of the rising ash: a journey through Japan’s volcanoes

Land of the rising ash: a journey through Japan’s volcanoes

In the minds of many international visitors, there are perhaps four iconic images of Japan that loom largest: Tokyo’s neon-and-concrete jungle; the Zen discipline of the temples and gardens of Kyoto; Mount Fuji’s silhouette; and the ‘Siberian express’ – the 45 days of seasonal fresh powder that make Hokkaido the new ski Mecca. This familiar vision of the Land of the Rising Sun, however, belies its geographical and cultural richness. Adventurous …