Kirishima

A hot-spring area at the foot of the Kirishima mountains, with sulfur springs and Maruo Falls, where Kirishima Jingu, Takachiho-no-mine and the crater lakes of the Ebino Plateau link up into a volcanic hiking route.

Kirishima lies in northeastern Kagoshima Prefecture. The Kirishima mountains straddle Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures and comprise more than twenty volcanoes, including Mount Karakuni, Takachiho-no-mine and Shinmoedake; in 1934 they were designated one of Japan's first national parks (today's Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park). The area divides roughly into three parts: on the southern slopes, Kirishima Jingu and the Kirishima Onsen village (sulfur springs such as Maruo, Hayashida and Iodani) form the hub for lodging and bathing; up in the mountains, Takachihogawara, the Ebino Plateau and Onami-ike are the trailheads for climbing Takachiho-no-mine and Mount Karakuni and for hikes around the crater lakes; and to the southwest, the Amori River valley has riverside onsen such as Myoken and Shiobitashi, plus Ryoma Park and Inukai Falls, linked to Sakamoto Ryoma's honeymoon. On the northern, Miyazaki side are Takachiho Farm and the Ikoma Plateau, known for its fields of flowers. The best seasons are May–Jun, when the Kirishima azaleas bloom, and Oct–Nov for autumn foliage; in winter the mountains may ice over, but it's the best time for hot springs. Getting there: Kagoshima Airport is within Kirishima City, about 30 minutes' drive from the onsen village; by rail, take the Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo Station, transfer to the JR Nippo Main Line to Kirishima-Jingu Station, then change to a bus. Sights in the mountains are spread out and buses are infrequent, so renting a car is strongly recommended. Stay 1–2 nights. Note: Shinmoedake and Iōyama have erupted several times in recent years, and trails and some roads close when the volcanic alert level changes—be sure to check the latest notices from the Japan Meteorological Agency and from Kirishima and Ebino cities before setting out.

Top sights

• Kirishima-jingu Shrine – An ancient shrine dedicated to Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the heavenly grandson. Its vermilion shrine buildings are tucked among cedar forests. It i…
• Kirishima Onsen Village & Maruo Falls – A cluster of hot springs at 600 to 850 meters elevation on the foothills of the Kirishima Mountains, with a variety of spring waters and st…
• Takachiho-gawara & Mount Takachiho-no-mine – The highland where the original site of Kirishima-jingu lies and the starting point for climbing Mount Takachiho-no-mine (1,574 meters), th…
• Ebino Plateau – A highland about 1,200 meters above sea level in the Kirishima Mountains, home to a chain of crater lakes with walking trails and the trail…
• Kirishima Open-Air Museum – An outdoor art museum at about 700 meters elevation in the Kirishima mountains, with more than twenty works by artists including Yayoi Kusa…
• Kareigawa Station – A wooden station building completed in 1903, the oldest station in Kagoshima Prefecture, preserved as it was a century ago. Its station ben…
• Mount Karakuni – The highest peak of the Kirishima range (1,700 meters). A round trip from Ebino Plateau takes about 3 to 4 hours, and from the summit you c…
• Lake Onami – A crater lake about 1,400 meters above sea level, one of the highest crater lakes in Japan. A walk around the lake takes about 2 hours, and…
• Takachiho Farm – A sightseeing farm at the foot of Mount Takachiho where you can feed sheep and milk cows, with freshly made ice cream and dairy products as…
• Myoken Onsen – An old hot spring resort in the Amakudari River gorge, where pale brown bicarbonate waters flow into several hidden-gem inns with riverside…
• Inukai Falls – A waterfall on a tributary of the Amakudari River, 22 meters wide and 36 meters high, which Sakamoto Ryoma praised during his honeymoon as…
• Shiohitashi Onsen Ryoma Park – The hot spring where Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryo recuperated on what is called Japan's first honeymoon; now a memorial park with a statue, a mu…
• Kirishima Shinwa-no-Sato Park – A roadside rest area and viewing park on the mountainside above Kirishima Jingu, where a ropeway takes you to the summit for views of Sakur…
• Ikoma Plateau – A flower-filled highland on the northern foot of the Kirishima range, where poppies bloom in spring and cosmos cover the slopes in autumn a…
• Kagoshima-jingu Shrine – The ichinomiya of ancient Osumi Province, famed for its vivid colors and ceiling paintings, and the stage for the Hatsuuma Festival's bell-…

Where to eat

• Kurobuta no Yakata – A farm-direct restaurant run by the Royal Pork ranch on the Kirishima Highlands, famous for thick-cut black pork tonkat…
• Gamakōan – A thatched-roof handmade soba shop near Kirishima-jingu, using buckwheat from Miyakonojo and spring water. Offers 90% '…
• Korian Kirishima Branch – A jidori chicken restaurant near Kirishima-jingu where guests grill the chicken themselves on a seven-grate charcoal st…

Itineraries

• Southern Kyushu Volcanic Coast Road Trip – Starting and ending at Kagoshima Airport, looping through Kirishima, the Nichinan Coast, Cape Toi, Sakurajima, and Ibus…