I Flew in Japan's Most Dangerous Airplane | Nightmare at 10,000 Feet

Take a tiny Cessna 172 plane right over the active Sakurajima volcano. It's a bit bumpy due to rising heat, and you'll fly through sulfuric plumes of smoke, making the air difficult to breathe and causing some nausea. But the view from 10,000 feet is spectacular, like the 'gateway to hell.' The pilot, Masahiko Norma, has 20,000 hours of flying time, which is reassuring. You can even open the window during the flight, which is both exciting and terrifying. It's a hard mode of flying, but if you get over this, everything else will be easy mode. I was genuinely scared, but it was one of the most amazing views I've ever had.

Take a four-hour ferry ride from Kagoshima to Yakushima Island. The boat is huge and ancient, like a salvaged Titanic, with a theater, public bath, games room, and even ice cream. It puts out more smoke than Sakurajima volcano, but the approach to the island is stunning, with luscious mountains coming into view, looking like Japan's answer to Treasure Island.

Rent a massive school bus as your mode of transport on Yakushima. It's huge, you could fit an entire Cessna inside, and it can allegedly fit 10 to 12 people. It's the biggest thing I've ever driven, like taming a wild beast, and it's terrifying. But the beautiful scenery of Yakushima, with its coral blue sea, makes up for the challenge.

Stay at a traditional inn on Yakushima that just so happens to have a goat on the premises. It's a rustic wooden cabin in the middle of what feels like a jungle, with a hammock and a loft master bedroom accessible by a ladder. Be prepared for insects and creatures, as it's very rustic. The goat is not very fond of me, and it's a bit scary, but it's a unique experience.

Trek deep into the mountains of Yakushima's ancient forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the Yayoi-sugi tree. The forest is completely untouched, serving as inspiration for Japanese artists and filmmakers. The Yayoi-sugi is estimated to be about 3,000 years old, making it one of the top 100 oldest trees in Japan. Be prepared for mosquitoes and rain, and the hike itself is a journey through a jungle.

Go fishing in the ocean off Yakushima with a local fisherman. The challenge is to catch your own food. I was confident it would be easy, but after patiently waiting an entire 20 minutes, we caught zero fish. There's definitely something out there stealing bait, but we had no luck. It's a fun attempt, but don't rely on catching your dinner!

Visit a spectacular waterfall on Yakushima. It looks pretty dangerous to get close to, but I lured Natsuki to the edge of the water under the guise of getting a selfie, then pushed him in! The water is freezing cold, and the ferocious current swept his beloved pirate pants clean off in five seconds. It's a fun, albeit cold and pants-losing, experience.

Take an evening bath in a Goemonburo, a giant hot pot bath at the rustic B&B. It's a peculiar-looking bath, named after Ishikawa Goemon, who was executed in a boiling tub. Despite the ominous name, it's lovely and feels like heaven. There's a fireplace right underneath that boils the water, making it a unique and relaxing experience after a long day.