Lake Onami
大浪池
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 the autumn foliage is spectacular.
Lake Onami is a crater lake formed by an eruption about 40,000 years ago. It is about 630 meters in diameter, with a surface at around 1,240 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest crater lakes in Japan. It is also associated with the legend of a giant serpent that transformed into a young woman. From the Lake Onami trailhead beside Prefectural Route 1, a stone-paved trail climbs for about 40 minutes to the crater rim above the lake. A circuit around the lake takes about 2 hours, and Karakunidake is visible from there. In early November, beech and maple trees reflect red in the lake, making it one of Kirishima's most popular autumn hikes. Admission is free, and the trailhead has a small parking lot. It is about 10 minutes by car from the Kirishima hot spring village. There is no public transport. The mountain weather changes quickly, so take care to stay on the path in fog.
Opening hours
Daytime only (subject to volcano restrictions)
Nearby sights
- Mount Karakuni
- Ebino Plateau
- Kirishima Onsen Village & Maruo Falls
- Takachiho-gawara & Mount Takachiho-no-mine
- Kirishima Shinwa-no-Sato Park
- Kirishima-jingu Shrine
- Kirishima Open-Air Museum
- Ikoma Plateau