The content found in this page was kindly contributed by Mark Christensen.
The Great Outdoors
Being outdoors, climbing mountains, and enjoying the beauty of nature is one of the many attractions of Fukuoka Prefecture. There are plenty of established climbing trails in and around Fukuoka Prefecture and a huge, nationwide community of avid hikers. Grab your thermals and try out some of these locations!
Safety First
Whether you are an experienced hiker or a beginning for the first time, there are some important rules to follow.
Weather
Always be aware of the weather and the weather forecast. Many easy hikes and climbs can be dangerous in the wrong conditions. In Kyushu, the best seasons for climbing are Spring through Midsummer and Fall through Early Winter.
Do not climb during or immediately after heavy rainstorms, especially during Tsuyu, as there is a chance of mudslides.
If you climb in summer, be sure to bring appropriate water and sun protection as heat stroke is a very real risk.
In late winter, Kyushu’s mountains can easily reach sub-zero temperatures even if it’s above freezing at sea level.
Gear
The ‘Ten Essentials’ are a number of helpful key items that are suggested for hikers that can be found on lists online.
Here are the six most relevant items for hikers in Japan.
#1. Navigation (Maps)
Be sure to have a map, or an accessible picture of a map, before you hike. It’s important to know where you are and where you are going.
#2. Lights (Flashlight, headlamp)
For longer hikes, be sure to bring a small flashlight or a headlamp in case you get caught it the dark.
#3. Sun protection (Hats, sunscreen)
Be sure to have sunscreen and clothing to protect yourself from sun exposure. It’s possible to get very bad burns during the summer.
#4. Extra food
Bring enough food for the day plus some additional snacks. Jellybeans, crackers, string cheese, and dried fruit are great energy boosting snacks. It never hurts to have a bit of extra food as a backup.
#5. Extra water
Bring at least 2 bottles of water when you hike, and 3-4 during the summer. It’s very easy to get dehydrated while hiking, particularly during Kyushu’s hot and humid summers.
#6. Extra clothes
At higher elevations it can rapidly get cool or windy at nightfall, and as such it’s important to bring jackets or extra clothing as a backup.
Hikes Within Fukuoka
Mt. Shaka (釈迦岳 shakadake)
The tallest peak in Fukuoka, Shakadake lies in the remote area of Yabe Village. A car is mandatory to visit this location. The base of the trail is situated at an old abandoned hot springs hotel, and offers a unique chance to stand on a miniature Golden Gate style suspension foot bridge that hangs 100-200 meters over the valley.
The trail itself has two paths, with one starting directly over the parking lot, and the other hugging the path near the bridge. The parking lot trail is very long. While the trail is not technical, it’s very direct, so it can be deceptively difficult. Eventually the trail breaks onto a paved road, and you will need to follow the road left slightly downhill for about 50-100 meters to regain the path, which will then be on the right side of the road.
Eventually, the trail will lead to some high points where can you look out over the mountains of Fukuoka and Oita. A key location is a circular rest area, followed by a nearby Buddha statue. If you continue, you will eventually reach a Y split in the road. The left fork will lead you across the nearby border of Oita and to a weather radar site and observatory, which is also accessible by car. The right fork will lead you across several ridges before funneling you back to the parking lot and bridge. This path has two options, allowing you to follow a paved road or to directly break across the road on a dirt path.
Estimated Hiking Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Mt. Hōman (宝満山 hōmanzan)
A modest hike near Dazaifu Shrine and close to a major rail line, this is a fairly easy location to visit. To reach the trail, you must first travel to Dazaifu station. Here, you can take a shuttle bus or walk about 2 miles uphill where you will encounter the Kamado Shrine. On the road that travels to the left behind the shrine you can find the beginning of the trail, which is marked by a Tori gate. Climb the trail and you will once again break out on the road. Follow this road until you reach a fork, where the trail will continue straight to the left, and the paved road the right. Here, you will take the left fork and continue going straight. You will break out one more time on the road, but the path will be very obvious at this point.
The entire climb takes about 4.5 hours, though depending on conditions this can vary. At the summit there is a shrine and a viewing area, and the trail continues on for several kilometers. If you choose to go on, the path will again fork several times. The first fork will lead to a mountaintop camp site, and this will be to the right. Further on, the trail will fork left down a steep path, and this will bring you to waterfalls. In the winter, these falls freeze over with spectacular effects.
The final areas include a radar station and an overlook point.
Estimated hiking time: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Mt. Hiko (英彦山 hikosan)
Located southeast of Fukuoka City, Mt. Hiko is a beautiful nature area with a wide array of hiking options. Near the trailhead there is a large parking lot where you can park for free. A larger Shinto shrine can also be found at one of the trailheads.
There are several different paths that people can take. A right side path leads to the Onisugi, an ancient Demon Cedar tree. This area also includes some buildings associated with the Mountain Buddhism sect. The main path leads to a large mountaintop Shrine at the top of some giant steps as well as a camping area and covered picnic area.
There is also a left side trail that includes some open views of the nearby mountains, natural stone pillars, and a precarious overlook with a sheer drop. Be careful!
Estimated hiking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Mt. Sefuri (脊振山 sefurisan)
Towering over Saga and the Fukuoka Area, Mt. Sefuri is one of the tallest mountains in the Saga area. Not only that, but it also has a strategic role as a small military site. For example, there is a joint US and JSDF military based located near the top of the mountain, as well as some displays of things like old anti-aircraft missiles and a large active radar installation.
The hike has several paths. The primary path traverses several streams and gullies before making a steep incline and ascending a ridge, which can also be reached by car. This ridge is paved and leads up to a summit camping zone and the active military base. The path further continues on to a larger radar dome and overlook.
Estimated hiking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Mt. Miike (三池山 miikeyama)
Located above the city of Omuta, Mt. Miike is a distinct peak overlooking the Kumamoto/Fukuoka border with a beautiful summit shrine and a picnic area. The mountain can be reached via a northern, southern, and western trailhead. The northern trailhead was investigated, and it can be reached by a series of winding roads through Google Maps. The first half of the mountain road is in very poor shape and will make it hard for casual bicycles, but the second half is more cleanly paved. It`s fairly straightforward, but at the single fork you will need to stay right. Eventually the road reaches a crest that is blocked by downed trees, and here you can see a sign for the climb.
It is an extremely steep climb, so it is suggested to use poles and sturdy hiking shoes. The trail is marked by colored tags.
At the summit of the north path, you can find a beautiful shrine with scenic views of both the east and west of the Omuta area. If you continue south, the trail extends for another half kilometer and intersects with the western and southern segments. This section is fairly flat, and leads to a large radio tower and an open meadow with a number stone seats and tables.
Estimated hiking time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Mt. Rai (雷山 raizan)
To the west of Fukuoka City lies Mt. Rai. The mountain is of low to medium difficulty and offers a heavily wooded trail. Due to the distance from the city a car is advised, and the
trailhead is not super clear.
The mountain trail is a winding path that leads through many gullies and across streams. As the trail is less travelled, it is less defined and it is easier to get lost, especially on animal trails. There is a beautiful summit view of the smaller mountains around Fukuoka.
Estimated hiking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Beyond Fukuoka
Mt. Unzen (雲仙岳 unzendake)
Located near Shimabara, Nagasaki, Mt. Unzen is a major volcano visible from central and southern Fukuoka from across the Ariake Sea. There are two ways to reach it. The first, and longest way, is to drive by car through Saga and then enter Nagasaki along the far coast. The second way is to travel to the City of Arao, just across the border of Fukuoka, and to take a ferry directly across the Ariake Sea. The ferry takes about 30 minutes.
Mt Unzen is a very accessible mountain. While there are reportedly a number of trails, the most commonly visited spot is the parking lot near the summit. There are a number of small facilities and shops here. People also have the ability to take a gondola car further up the mountain.
The paths on Unzen past the Gondola area are fairly mild. Many of them are relatively flat and crest the ridges. There are a few segments where the path will drop into gullies, but the trail is clear, and the steep segments are very short. It is possible to reach the Fugendake peak, which is the highest accessible spot on the mountain. The true peak is still volcanic and vulnerable to poison gas, so respect the rules and do not attempt to bypass the gated area.
Highlights on this hike include beautiful fall foliage and in May, brilliant Azalea blooms.
Estimated hiking time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Special Hazards: Active volcano, restricted gas zones marked by fence
Mt. Aso (阿蘇山 asosan)
Mt Aso is a large volcanic complex situated in the center of Kumatamoto Prefecture. Rising out of a massive volcanic caldera that makes up the rest of the valley, the mountain is very distinct. Near the upper flat areas of the volcano, people can visit a large volcanic museum and enjoy a number of informational displays, a few cafes, and some shops. There are some small nearby hikes that also allow for people to enjoy the grassy highlands.
Further along is the secondary visitor's center, which is smaller and allows for parking, some shopping, and acts as a gateway to the main crater. This area provides constant updates on the safety conditions of the volcano and will restrict entrance in the event of unsafe conditions. The upper zone provides an excellent overlook of the active crater. This crater features steam and while volcanic gas emerging from a skyblue volcanic lake. Additionally, there is a branching trail to the right which gives access to the hiking zone, which consists of some peaks overlooking the crater area. This area includes a small black sand volcanic desert and a series of trails looping to the northeast of the crater. These trails provide access to the highest peaks of the volcano as well as access to the eastern rim. The eastern rim is open to hikers, but be cautious about wind and gas conditions.
Note: volcanoes are potentially dangerous sites and Aso is no exception. Every ten years or so the mountain has a major ash eruption and will be inaccessible for months or several years. As of fall 2020, the activity subsided and access to the crater zones has been greenlit. If you have respiratory or cardiovascular issues, it is suggested you avoid the site or take caution. During open hours the status of the volcano can constantly change. If you initially arrive and it's closed, it is suggested to wait to see if it opens. On several prior visits, an ALT noted that the closed park opened again after about 15-30 minutes due to gas dissipation, so don't fret.
The primary risk from the crater is sulfur dioxide gas, which is heavily monitored and constantly announced by speakers. There are hiking areas that do cross into potential danger zones, so please pay careful attention to signs and minimize your time spent inside them. Pay attention to the wind direction as well. Sulfur dioxide is a white or invisible gas that induces a tear gas like reaction with choking and painful breathing in trace amounts. Concentrated levels are lethal. There is also a risk from ash and thrown boulders, but as the park is heavily monitored this is unlikely.
Estimated hiking time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Special Hazards: Active volcano, restricted gas zones, periodic closures due to ash and gas