Mt. Kirishima 霧島山

Mt. Kirishima is in a stunning volcanic mountain range spanning Kagoshima and Miyazaki Prefectures and is a major part of the Kirishima area of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park . You can explore the many peaks and lakes connected to the Japanese creation myth and find your spiritual side deep in the mountains.

Mt. Kirishima is most easily accessed by rental car or local bus services.

Public transport is available, but renting a car is recommended. From both Kirishima Onsen and Kirishima Shrine, it takes around 30 minutes by car to reach the main trailhead of Mt. Kirishima. From Kagoshima, it will take about two hours. It is also possible to reach Mt. Kirishima from neighboring Miyazaki Prefecture.

Mt. Kirishima is comprised of more than 20 volcanoes and extends over 20 kilometres east to west. Mt. Karakuni, the tallest, soars 1,700 meters in the center. To the south is Mt. Takachiho, revered as where the god Ninigi no Mikoto descended to earth and eventually founded the Japanese Imperial line. The mountains are often shrouded in mist, making them appear to float above the surrounding foothills.

To truly appreciate the majestic natural beauty of the area head into the hills. Choose from many different courses, but know the full-length Kirishima ridge trail provides the best views of the surrounding scenery and amazing crater lakes. Some trails are closed when volcanic activity increases, so be sure to check the status of volcanic activity.

The trail from Takachiho-gawara, the original location of Kirishima-jingu Shrine , to Mt. Takachiho is perhaps the most spiritual. On a misty morning, you can imagine you're in a scene from Japanese mythology. This is also true when you reach the peak and see a bronze spear piercing the mountaintop.