I stayed at yet another good youth hostel located at the base of Mt. Aso - the proprieter even drove me to a great truck-stop type place where I had filling and delicious local specialties (for a very reasonable price). The next morning, I started up along the picturesque road, encouraged by (OK, stared at curiously by) cows and horses. It began to rain a bit, and the official at the gate (to the official Aso road entrance) was kind enough to make an impromptu raincoat for me out of a clear plastic garbage bag. Unfortunately, it was so hot I had to take it off almost immediately before I got par-broiled.

This is one of the picturesque ranch-type houses along the Yamanami. The area looks practically identical to Northern California or a dozen other places around the world (all of them lovely). Unfortunately, the last time I passed this way, the old house was nowhere to be found.