Perfect Season for Hiking
Now that the sakura have bid us farewell for another year and the weather is becoming warmer, you may be itching to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Well what better way to do it than by hiking up one of Kyushu's many beautiful mountains!
Before We Start
As exhilirating as hiking is, there are always things that can go wrong. Thankfully, with a bit of knowledge and common sense, many of the risks associated with hiking can be prevented or avoided.
Before undertaking any of the hikes listed below, please ensure you are familiar with the Safety Guidelines listed on our Hiking page (This page also lists multiple other mountains around Fukuoka and further afield that you can climb once you've made your way throught this list!)
Both this article and the Hiking page were kindly contributed by one of our Fukuoka Prefectural ALTs, Mark Christensen.
Mt Kuju, Mt Nakadake and Oike Pond
Located in Oita Prefecture, Mt Kuju can be reached in about 2.5 hours by car from Chikugo Station. The main starting point for this trail is the Makinoto Pass Rest House, which helpfully sells trail maps and supplies.
The trail itself is fairly well manicured, starting from the parking lot with a paved asphalt trail that eventually gives way to a standard hiking trail.
The path leads up and down through some ridges before eventually reaching another rest house. From here, hikers can reach several peaks, including Nakadake and Mt Kuju. There is also a path to reach the beautiful Oike Pond, which freezes solid in winter. This area is fairly well marked with signs. In early summer, it`s possible to see mountain azaleas.
As this is a longer trail, be sure to start earlier in the day to give yourself enough daylight.
Estimated Hiking Time: 5-7 hours RT
Difficulty: Moderate.
Notes: Subject to freezing weather in winter. Plan accordingly.
Mt Taisen and Mt Hiji
Located next to Mt Kuju, Mt Taisen can be reached by car from Chikugo station in about 2.5 hours.
The main starting point for this trail is the Chojabaru Visitor`s center, which offers supplies and parking.
Hikers will first start at the center and pass through Tadawara Wetlands boardwalk. From here, the trail will travel through some light oak forests and a series of switchbacks before encountering a marshy plateau. The trail will work its way down, crossing back into a different forest through a winding trail before settling into the Bogatsuru grasslands in the Kuju interior.
From here, hikers can camp at a rudimentary campsite that includes running water and plumbing, walk over to an onsen resort, or climb Taisen and Hiji.
To climb Mt Taisen, follow the signs from the campsite and stick right. This trail is fairly steep and will take hikers to the crest of the mountain. From here, hikers will follow the trail to the right and work their way up towards the summit. It`s also possible to reach a small volcanic lake about 100 meters from the summit.
Mt Hiji, follow the signs from the campsite and stick left. A rocky, winding trail will lead hikers through a low forest and shrubs to a `Y` section in a clearing. Take the left arm of the `Y` and you can follow a trail to the summit.
During early summer, this peak is covered in beautiful pink azaleas!
Estimated Hiking Time: 5-7 hours RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Notes: Subject to freezing weather in winter. Plan accordingly.
Mt Yufu
Located between the scenic town of Yufuin and the city of Beppu, Mt Yufu is a small, forested volcano with a moderate and somewhat steep non-technical hike.
Located about 2-2.5 hours from Chikugo Station by car, the mountain can be reached from a rest stop and parking station on the main road to Beppu just outside Yufuin.
The trail itself is steep but non-technical and transitions through some grassy fields and a forest before becoming a series of switchbacks.
Mt Yufu is unusual in that it actually is a two pronged mountain. As such, the top of the trail splits into'Y' shapes that allows hikers to climb to the western and eastern summits, taking about 7 minutes each way. These short climbs provide some short lengths of chains and ropes to help climbers on the steeper segments.
It`s also possible to travel the rim of the crater from one summit to the other in a giant circle, but this takes about an hour. This optional trail is poorly maintained and dangerous, so it`s recommended to simply climb up and down from each summit from the 'Y' in the trail.
Depending on time of day, you may also have a chance to see a large herd of deer living in the forests.
Estimated Hiking Time: 5-7 hours RT
Difficulty: Moderate
Notes: Avoid the crater trail and climb to the summits from the 'Y' at the end of the main trail.
Kirishima Mountains
Mt Karakuni, Onami-Ike and Shinmoedake
Located on the north side of the Kirishima range, this trailhead can be reached by car from the city of Ebino and the Ebino Plateau visitor's center.
The trail is fairly mild, starting from the parking lot, and is well-marked. After travelling for a bit, you will have your first look at one of the lower volcanic craters and the gas vents within.
The trail will continue a course up the rim of the mountain, leading to a shelter with maps and benches. Past that, the trail will lead to the right crater rim of Mt. Karauni, which offers a majestic view of the local volcanoes and crater lakes.
From here, there are several options. Hikers can proceed ahead and choose to go to nearby Onami-Ike, a beautiful blue crater lake, or proceed to the vicinity of Shinmoedake, a famous active volcano know for appearing in James Bond.
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours RT (Karakuni), 6 hours RT (Shinmoedake overlook) 5 hours RT (Onami-Ike)
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Notes: Subject to freezing weather in winter. Plan accordingly.
Warning: Shinmoedake is an active volcano and cannot be directly climbed, only viewed from a distance from other peaks. Check the daily alert level at the visitor`s center and respect the safety boundaries marked on the trail and visitor maps. Do not enter marked restricted zones or attempt to approach lava.
Mt Takachiho-No-Mine and Ohachi Crater
Located on the south side of the Kirishima range, this trailhead is only a short distance by car from the Kirishima Grand Shrine.
At the base of the trail, there`s a large parking lot, several stores, and the old ruins of the original Kirishima Shrine, which was destroyed in 1232 AD.
The stone-paved trail leads through a low forest and breaks out onto the side off Mt Ohachi. From here, a crude trail marked by yellow paint on rocks leads to the top of the mountain, which offers a great view of the Kirishima range and Ohachi`s volcanic crater.
Here, the trail becomes clearly defined, and hikers will follow the left crater rim towards Mt Takachiho. After a short dip, hikers will ascend several hundred meters up the trail to reach the summit, which houses a shelter and a shrine.
An important site in Shinto legends, Mt Takachiho is said to be the spot where Ninigi no Mikoto, grandson of Amaterasu and ancestor of the Emperor, planted the spear Ame no Sakahoko when he descended to earth. While the mysterious original spear was lost in a 1913 eruption, a replica can still be seen today at the shrine!
During winter, the mountain is decked in rime ice and snow, while the summer sees mountain azalea blooms.
Estimated hiking time: 4 hours RT
Difficulty: Easy
Notes: Subject to freezing weather in winter. Plan accordingly.
Bonus Mountain: Mt Fuji
The tallest and most famous of Japan`s mountains, Mt. Fuji is located far to the north of Kyushu in the vicinity of Tokyo and Yamanashi prefecture.
As one of the most climbed mountains in the world, Mt. Fuji has a lot of facilities, and the Fuji-Yoshida trail, accessible from Fuji-Yoshida City, is no exception.
From this side, there are two ways to climb the mountain.
The first, and most difficult way is to start at the 1st station, which can be reached by hiking or by car. Here, you can obtain a climbing stick and get brands burnt into at the major stations. However, currently all of the stations between 1st and 5th are abandoned. The path takes at least 6 hours with a pack and would require a reservation at the 5th station lodges. From here, the climber would proceed to the summit trail, presumably after overnighting. This path is not recommended for beginners.
The second option, the standard route, is to take a bus to the 5th Station. A number of facilities and stores can be found here, and there are entrances to the main Fuji-Yoshida trail that connects to 1st station and the summit. Once on the trail, hikers can proceed up a series of winding trails and stone paths past a variety of mountainside lodges. The first few stations and sub-stations are located on a series of rocky outcrops, and there is a lot of stair climbing and gravel paths. Some of the sections are quite steep, so you may need to pull yourself up some rock shelfs on the trail, though fortunately not many.
Past 7th station, the mountain path becomes a more standard gravel hiking trail that winds its way up the summit. As the trail is made of ash and sand, this can be quite strenuous.
Estimated Hiking Time: 6-10 hours (From station 5) 1.5 days (From station 1)
Difficulty: High-Moderate to Difficult
Notes:
Climbing season is very short at only 3 months. Be sure to bring warm jackets and other 'snow' type gear for higher elevations, as it can reach freezing temperatures even in summer. Additionally, while food and water can be purchased along the climb from the various shops, it's recommended to bring sufficient food and water and to not rely on them.
If you are unfamiliar with climbing, there's also the option of working with the mountain's many tour guides and group trips. These experienced guides will be able to give recommendations and ensure the safest options for the climb.
Warning: This is a 'real' mountain at 3,776M / 12,389FT and is subject at times to dangerous weather that includes freezing temperatures, high winds, heavy rain or snow, and lightning. It's very important to check the weather before you climb, and even during your climb. Only climb the mountain during the open season. Do not climb in bad weather.
(Editor's note): As someone who got talked into bullet-climbing Mt.Fuji (i.e. climbing through the night without stopping to sleep) I would definitely advise against doing so if you are an inexperienced climber. There are multiple signs at different stages of the climb advising you not to bullet-climb, as doing so doesn't give your body enough time to adjust to the change in altitude, which can result in altitude sickness and fatigue. If you want to see the sunrise from the summit, you'll be much better off taking the ascent nice and slowly, stopping overnight at one of the rest stations, and finishing hiking to the summit in the early hours of the morning.
Another thing to bear in mind that is that the descent also takes between 3-5 hours, so you'll be much better off going into this hike as well-rested as possible.
That's All, Folks!
We hope you enjoyed this guide and get out there and take the opportunity to go climb some of these stunning peaks.
If you've already made your way through all of these, please check out the Hiking page here for more mountains in Kyushu, as well as some safety information. Happy Hiking!