Kyushu is a volcanic island inside the south of Japan with some pretty epic coastlines nonetheless it is inside the coronary heart of the island the place hikes throughout the volcanoes and waterfalls make Kyushu among the many greatest areas for climbing in Japan. On this weblog publish, I will factor 11 of my favorite hikes in Kyushu that I did over a three-week interval whereas exploring the volcanoes, waterfalls, and trails inside the space.
I’ve written specific individual climbing guides for each of the exact hikes below apart from a pair so that you probably can click on on on the hyperlink to go to the detailed data for each hike, which contains learn the way to get there, the entire photos, and what to anticipate. On the bottom of this publish, I will add a few sections of points you could possibly know sooner than climbing in Kyushu. These sections will most likely be:
- get spherical Kyushu
- The place to stay in Kyushu for climbing
- Biggest time to go to Kyushu
- What climbing gear would you like for the paths in Kyushu
So, let’s get into the guidelines of 11 superior hikes on the volcanic island of Kyushu in southern Japan.
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11 AWESOME HIKES IN KYUSHU, JAPAN
HIKE MOUNT ASO
Throughout the Aso space of the Kumamoto Prefecture inside the coronary heart of Kyushu Island is the Mount Aso space, which is probably going one of many largest calderas in your total world. Climbing in Mount Aso Space is probably going one of the unbelievable adventures you probably can have in Japan. Mount Aso is a volcanic despair, which is principally an infinite crater that has numerous peaks inside this space which may be trekked. There are fairly a couple of craters all through the crater such as a result of the very energetic Nakadake Crater.
The Caldera spans 17 kilometers from east to west and 25 kilometers from south to north with a whole house of 350 sq. kilometers. As soon as we focus on this caldera it is a monumental house nonetheless on the guts of the caldera is the place all the movement is with reference to volcanic train, climbing, museums, and tourism. Within the midst of the caldera is the central crater group which consists of the 5 Aso peaks which might be Mt. Taka (Takadake), Mt. Naka (Nakadake), Mt. Eboshi (Eboshidake), Mt. Kijima (Kijimadake) and Mt. Neko (Nekodake).
I hiked all the peaks apart from Kijima. The Nakadake and Takadake loop (when open) is my favorite hike in Kyushu… by far. It appears down on the energetic volcano crater and makes you feel such as you’re in outer home or trekking by a post-apocalyptic world.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: HIKING MOUNT ASO VOLCANO – A COMPLETE GUIDE
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN KYUSHU
MOUNT EBOSHI HIKE
Mount Eboshi is probably going one of many 5 peaks of the central cone group of the well-known Mount Aso. It’s the most effective peak and likely essentially the most safe peak to climb taking merely over an hour to stand up and down from the summit. The view from the very best is form of distinctive as a result of it appears out over the Nakadake Crater, which is the place the energetic volcano of Mount Aso is found.
The Mount Eboshi hike is an outstanding little path not as a result of views or the journey nonetheless because of it is usually open! Because of Nakadake Crater and the energetic volcano inside it are generally spewing ash extreme into the air, the surrounding trails are generally closed. This leaves adventurous hikers feeling a bit caught. Fortuitously Eboshi is a bit further away nonetheless you proceed to have good views of the erupting volcano.
On the summit, you might need a view out to Nakadake Crater, which is the place the eruptions, smoke, and the entire movement takes place. Throughout the totally different directions, you probably can witness your total caldera and the various rock formations and craters that are scattered all by the realm. I visited Mount Eboshi as part of the ‘Spherical Aso Tour‘, which was the correct resolution to find this space on a full-day journey from Fukuoka.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: MOUNT EBOSHI HIKE (EBOSHIDAKE) IN MOUNT ASO
MOUNT NEKO (NEKODAKE) HIKE
Mount Neko is the second tallest peak inside the Mount Aso space at 1,443m extreme for the Tengu Peak and the choice Toho Peak is 1,408m extreme. It’s known as Nekodake because of from Aso it looks like two cat ears whilst you see every of the peaks. It was an superior nonetheless steep hike and the jagged peaks have been merely unbelievable on the summit all through sunset.
Along with the fairly a couple of ropes that may show you how to up the summit of Nekodake, moreover, you’ll encounter plenty of ladders, serving to you ascend by the forest. Not one of many ropes, ladders or bouldering is technical or very powerful nonetheless be prepared for slightly little bit of movement alongside the trail.
On the summit, you will look out all through to the Tengu Peak, which is actually essentially the most distinguished peak and also you really can’t miss it. Throughout the late afternoon, the photo voltaic models behind this peak so it’s a extraordinarily magical spot to take in all the ridge.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: MOUNT NEKO HIKE (NEKODAKE) IN KYUSHU
ONBARA FALLS (SHORT) HIKE
The journey to Onbara Falls is a extremely, very fast trek nonetheless will take away you from the town of Beppu and immerse you inside the jungle making you feel misplaced beneath the falls. Onbara Falls is slightly little bit of a hidden gem merely exterior the town of Beppu in Oita Prefecture of Kyushu, Japan. Beppu is probably going one of the well-known Onsen cities in Japan and even the world. Nonetheless, amidst all the scorching springs and Onsens are some actually epic waterfalls and Onbara Falls is up there with basically essentially the most beautiful and most accessible.
The trail is transient and well-defined with a mud/rock path major you as a lot because the falls. With the morning photo voltaic shining by it was really an exceptional little stroll, which is nearly 2km return.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: ONBARA FALLS IN KYUSHU, JAPAN
HIKING IN THE KUJU MOUNTAINS
The beautiful Kuju Mount differ is part of the Aso-Kuju Nationwide Park and whereas Mount Kuju is prone to be basically essentially the most well-known it is really the shut by Nakadake Peak that is the very best peak inside the park, which makes it the perfect degree on Kyushu Island. These mountains are linked by a set of climbing trails so that you probably can form of make it up as you go, pushing on to ‘but yet another peak’ time and time as soon as extra or adjust to a set route. I did slightly bit of every.
It’s straight up from the get-go so don’t put too many jackets on you could be working that incline immediately. If you attain the ridge it’s time for the journey to start. The trail turns proper right into a rocky ridgeline with numerous ladders and some very low-key bouldering required.
The general day of climbing was 1,026m so it’s always an effort whilst you seize a vertical kilometer. The trail was rocky nonetheless pretty properly outlined and we on no account had too many difficulties discovering our methodology. On the prime of Mount Kuju we would watch over the erupting Mount Aso inside the distance and admire the valley below.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: HIKING THE KUJU MOUNTAIN RANGE
MOUNT TAHARAYAMA
The Mount Taharayama hike leads you on a steep ascent as a lot as an epic, rocky ridgeline sooner than you descend down into the forest to discover a tenth century stone buddha carving into the cliff wall. It’s an journey with a tomb-raider vibe and is actually optimistic to have you ever ever off-the-beaten-path and in the marketplace amongst the journey inside the Oita Prefecture of Kyushu Island, Japan.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: MT. TAHARAYAMA HIKE TO KUMANO MAGAIBUTSU (BUDDHA STATUE)
HIKING TO MOUNT KARAKUNI IN KIRISHIMA
Mount Karakuni is the perfect peak inside the Kirishima Mountain Differ of Kyushu Island in Japan with a prime of 1,700 meters. Mount Karakuni has a volcanic crater, which is 900 meters and 300 meters deep. The hike up from the shopper coronary heart is relatively fast with only some kilometers in distance nonetheless pretty steep. From the summit, you probably can look over to the ‘Ring of Hearth’, which is the off-limits. That’s merely considered one of many many hikes in Kyushu that have to be added to your Japan bucket guidelines.
The general hike distance for me was 9.6km for my entire lap of the Kirishima house nonetheless there are quite a few strategies to make it shorter. Within the occasion you merely go up and down Mount Karakuni from the shopper coronary heart will most likely be about 5-6km in entire. I added on the lap of Lake Rokkannonmiike and Lake Byakashiike.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: MOUNT KARAKUNI HIKE (KARAKUNIDAKE) IN KIRISHIMA
MOUNT KAIMON (KAIMONDAKE) HIKE
Mount Kaimon (Kaimondak) is an inactive volcano alongside the coast inside the south of Kyushu acknowledged for its conical type. The Mount Kaimon hike leads you via the forest on a steep, rocky path up ladders and boulders to the summit the place you are rewarded with coastal views from the very best of the volcano.
The trail begins with incline from the very first second as you wind your methodology by the woodlands on the bottom of the volcano. It was a extremely beautiful part of the trail because the daylight shone by the timber and into the mini canyons created by erosion on the path. At some components, the partitions on each facet of the trail have been above head prime, which added a singular ambiance to the trail.
The trail quickly intensifies as a result of the grime paths transition proper right into a boulder-laden path, which requires agility and focus. Quite a few outdated hikers have been on the trail so it’s actually not too troublesome nonetheless it may undoubtedly sluggish you down significantly.
The highest of the trail is marked by a Tori Gate and a shrine. If you attain the gate you probably can breathe a sigh of discount as you might need all nonetheless made it to the summit after 730m of incline on highly effective terrain. The perspective on the prime extends from coast to coast as you might need a view of larger than 180 ranges to really tackle this southern space of Kyushu.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: MOUNT KAIMON HIKE (KAIMONDAKE) IN KAGOSHIMA
KEYA NO OTO HIKE IN ITOSHIMA
Keya no Oto is an exceptional coastal viewpoint of Itoshima, which has unbelievable views of the seashore from the ominous ridgeline and a 64m cave below! You probably can hike all the way in which wherein up onto the very best of the ridge as there’s slightly little bit of a path, which contains some major bouldering/mountaineering. It isn’t a path I might recommend besides you are athletic and adept at bouldering and climbing.
Atop the ridge, it was a extremely slender path. A 50m+ drop on each facet meant we would have liked to focus on our steps until we reached a safer, wider spot on prime of the ridge. We took a second to relax out up proper right here, taking inside the view of the seashore and all the way in which right down to the volcanic cone on the totally different end of the shoreline.
Be taught the entire weblog publish for particulars and all photos: KEYA NO OTO HIKE IN ITOSHIMA
MOUNT YUFU HIKE
Whereas I was primarily based in Beppu I headed up for daybreak one morning to hike Mount Yufu. It’s commonly known as being pretty a difficult hike because of fixed incline and relentless switchbacks that lead you as a lot as the two peaks on the summit. Nonetheless, on the day I visited, it was coated inside the cloud on the prime. We observed deer alongside the way in which wherein and really cherished the hike. I do know the view from the summit is pretty epic so I’ve added it onto this guidelines with {a photograph} from a day with larger local weather. It was a 7km spherical journey with larger than 700m of an incline up the switchbacks. I’ve included {a photograph} below of the view from the very best and the view from below on a day in larger conditions than as soon as I hiked. Take word, it is acknowledged for being a peak that is exhausting to catch on a clear day so do resolve the perfect day of the week regarding local weather.
MOUNT TSURUMI HIKE
As soon as you retain inside the metropolis of Beppu, you will always uncover the mountains looming behind the valley. The perfect degree often known as Mount Tsurumi and it’s really attainable to attain by cable car. Nonetheless, there is a path to the very best if you happen to’re up for the very steep downside. In any case, if you happen to’re merely in it for the view, take the cable car nonetheless for a lot of who love the journey and want to spot some deer alongside the way in which wherein the trail begins merely throughout the underside of the cable car parking. Drive an extra half mile up the freeway earlier the cable car parking and you will uncover the trail entrance on the proper facet of the freeway. It’s on maps.me within the occasion you’ll be able to’t uncover it.
On the summit, you might need an exceptional view down over the town of Beppu and your total seashore. Equivalent to Mount Yufu, on the day I visited, the local weather was pretty poor visibility with heavy fog so I’ve included {a photograph} from a clearer day so that you probably can resolve if it’s a hike you are keen in order so as to add to your Kyushu bucket guidelines.
Okay, so these are my prime ten solutions for hikes on Kyushu Island. Now let’s focus on a few of the logistical elements to consider if you happen to’re planning your journey to Kyushu with climbing and journey in ideas.
HOW TO GET AROUND KYUSHU FOR ADVENTURERS
Whereas the put together may swimsuit these in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and even in Fukuoka, it obtained’t cut back it out proper right here on Kyushu. The trains will get you from major cities and even into some regional areas with bus connections nonetheless almost all the journey sports activities actions I visited had no bus connection. After I searched on Google Maps and clicked most people transport chance it would merely say ‘not obtainable’. It was very clear, in a short while that Kyushu island is best to find by car, significantly if you happen to’re doing hikes and actions exterior of the city (really each factor on this guidelines).
*** This may be very essential to know that you just MUST HAVE a world driver’s license to lease a car in Japan. Truly, they obtained’t even check out your exact driver’s license and solely want to see the worldwide driver’s license. Take that critically as they genuinely will not present the car and sure no refund within the occasion you don’t have that. To get one you could possibly be in your nation of residence and you’re going to get one on the spot or order on-line and procure in per week or so. Make sure you handle that upfront as I almost obtained caught out not realizing that.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KYUSHU
I visited in February, which was winter and freezing. I don’t advise it nonetheless it was nonetheless epic. The perfect time to go to Kyushu is most positively not winter. It’s unlikely a ski trip spot so most likely you could be freezing and all the leaves will most likely be ineffective so the landscapes will not be as beautiful as totally different events of the yr. There are a few drawcards to each season so I will bear them below.
- Fall/Autumn: The temperature is mild and comfy making it good for hikes and adventuring. Within the occasion you time points correct, you are going to get the beautiful fall colors out on the paths!
- Spring: That’s positively essentially the most well-liked season to journey to Kyushu with sunny days and comfy temperatures. It’s vitally trendy presently because of cherry blossoms and flowers that are in full swing presently of yr.
- Summer season: Whereas not acknowledged for its seashores, Kyushu does present numerous good swimming spots and seashores to find. For climbing, it may get barely scorching nonetheless (as a lot as 30 ranges celsius) on no account reaching temperatures which will limit your adventures.
WHICH REGION IS BEST FOR YOU?
Proper right here’s a pointers with the intention to start:
- Fukuoka: Should you want to be in a vibrant metropolis scene and a central base, chances are high you will want to preserve in Fukuoka.
- Kumamoto (my resolve): Within the occasion you’re making an attempt to get away from the bustling metropolis life and be centrally positioned for all hotspot vacationer areas then go to and preserve in Kumamoto.
- Beppu: Should you want to strive various scorching springs, mud baths, and sand baths, Beppu in Oita prefecture is the perfect place for you.
- Kagoshima: In case you might be wanting to go climbing in Kirishima and see Mt. Sakurajima, head to Kagoshima prefecture.
- Yakushima (Separate Island): Should you want to hike by the beautiful Shiratani Unsuikyo Valley, see historic cedar timber, and waterfalls, Yakushima is the perfect place for you.
For a full article about learn the way to chop up up your time between the favored areas in Kyushu, strive my details about learn the way to plan your Kyushu Itinerary: THE ULTIMATE KYUSHU ITINERARY: 5-DAY, 7-DAY & 10-DAY
WHERE TO STAY IN KYUSHU
- Biggest Luxurious Place to Preserve in Fukuoka: Resort WBF Grande Hakata (Price): That’s by far essentially the most well-liked lodge and possibly essentially the most luxurious in Fukuoka.
- Biggest Price Place to Preserve in Kumamoto: Resort The Gate Kumamoto (Price): Resort The Gate is a well-situated lodging inside the coronary coronary heart of Kumamoto, merely all through the put together station and inside strolling distance to retailers and consuming locations.
- Biggest Luxurious Place to Preserve in Kumamoto: Kumamoto Resort Fort (Luxurious): Set near the infamous Kumamoto Fort, this luxury lodge choices a wide range of carpeted rooms from regular rooms to suites fitted with plush services.
For a full guidelines of the top-rated areas to stay in Kyushu, you probably can strive my full data: WHERE TO STAY IN KYUSHU: BEST REGIONS & HOTELS
ARE YOU FOLLOWING MY KYUSHU BLOG SERIES?
I spent over three weeks exploring Kyushu and visited some unbelievable waterfalls, hiked some excellent trails, and visited numerous epic volcanoes. I created numerous guides to help vacationers uncover the perfect spots in Kyushu. You probably can uncover the articles by clicking on the hyperlinks below.
