Kirishima Volcanic Mountain Park at Kyushu

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Kirishima (霧島市) is a city in Kogashima, Japan, famous for its volcano mountain range between Miyazaki and Kagoshim Prefectures. Kirishima is located on the main island of Kyushu.

Kirishima is famous for its National Park (Kirishima-Yaku National Park), and volcano hiking. So many mountains found at Kirishima especially Mt. Takachiho, the best mount to hike. Other mounts are Mt. Shinmoi, Mt. Karakuni.

Kirishima-Yaku National Park

Kirishima National Park

Kirishima-Yaku National Park (霧島屋久国立公園) composed of two parts : Kirishima and Yakushima.

Located in the southern part of Kyushu, this park embraces Kirishima volcanic range, Kagoshima Bay with active volcano of Sakurajima, and Yakushima Island.

Kirishima Range consists of some 23 volcanic cones with 15 craters in complete shape, 10 of which are filled with water. They present a mysterious sight as if we are visiting the surface of the moon. There are many hot springs at the foot of the mountains where holidaymakers enjoy excursions throughout the year. Hiking and camping are popular in summer, and skating in winter.

Mt. Kirishima

Kirishima Mt Kirishima
Mt. Kirishima

Mt. Kirishima (Kirishima Volcano) is a Quaternary composite volcano located in southern Kyushu, Japan. It is situated on the southern rims of the Kakuto and Kobayashi calderas. This volcano contains more than 20 small volcanoes which have been repeatedly active from Pleistocene to Recent. Kirishima Volcano is d ivided into two groups, i. e., the Older Kirishima Volcano and the Younger Kir ishima Volcano.

The Older Kirishima Volcano products are now only exposed in t he western foot of the Kirishima Volcano, however, these volcanics predominant ly underlie the present Kirishima Volcano. The activity of the Younger Kirishi ma Volcano began at about 300,000 years ago and continued until the present. M any small stratovolcanoes, polygenetic pyroclastic cones and monogenetic maars and lava flows were formed by the activity. Most of the rocks of Kirishima Vo lcano are composed of augite - hypersthene andesite, with or without olivine p henocrysts. More than 10 eruptive episodes have been recorded　in ancient lite rature since A.D.742. Most of documented activities were weak eruptions, howev er, activities in 788, 1235 and 1716-17 were large eruptions and caused great disasters.

Kirishima Main attractions

1. Hiking the volcano

Kirishima Hiking Mount Takachiho no mine

There are a variety of hikes that you can do, but one of the best places to hike in Kirishima is Mt. Takachiho, 1574m, because of its magnificent scenery and views - Sakurajima is visible on a clear day. In order to reach the top of Takachicho, you must climb to the top of Mt. Ochahi and hike around the crater lake, which is 2-3 meters deep and has a stunning color.

2. Ebino Kogen
Ebino Kogen is a small town in the mountains of Kirishima just inside Miyazaki Prefecture's borders. Ebino Kogen means "shrimp highlands" and is so named because in late summer the pampas grass that blankets the ground takes on a pinkish hue from iron in the soil, making the area appear to be covered in fields of shrimp.

3. Kirishima Onsen

Kirishima Onsen

Kirishima Onsen lies on the lower slopes of the Kirishima Mountains with a distant view over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima below. The area is made up of over a dozen hot springs, of which the largest and best know is Maruo Onsen. With its high concentration of hotels and central location, Maruo Onsen is the representative resort town of the entire Kirishima Onsen area.

The hot spring towns around Kirishima Onsen are dotted with ryokan and hotels of various sizes. Their many hot spring sources appear at every turn, each billowing clouds of steam from what look like large smoke stacks.

4. Kirishima Shrine

Kirishima Shrine

The mountains of Kirishima are an important site in the creation mythology of Japan. It was in this area that the god Ninigi no Mikoto, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, is said to have descended from heaven to rule over the earth.

There are plenty of nice shrines to see in Kirishima, but the most beautiful and most significant is Kirishima-jingu. In 1989, this shrine was deemed a cultural asset to the nation. Not only is it a large, beautiful shrine, but it also has a rich history. According to ancient texts, the first shrine was built in 1460, between Mt. Takachiho and Mt. Ohara, but was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.

5. Kirishima Open Air Museum

Kirishima Open Air Museum

The museum is a large-scale, open-air museum, which utilizes landscapes and forest space in its outdoor sculpture exhibitions. It is a modern art museum that displays all original pieces from Japanese and foreign artists who visited the space and created works with cultural and/or historical significance.

6. Shinwa-no-Sato Park

Kirishima Shinwa no Sato Park

This park is a great place to go with a family, as it has a wide array of activities for people of all ages. You can partake in grass skiing, which costs 1000 yen/hour for adults and 6000 yen/hour for students, or take a lift to the top of the hill and take a ride down the massive slides. The Super Slider costs 400 yen/slide (including lift fee) and the Fancy Slider (40m) is also 400 yen/slide. There is also an 18-hole miniature golf course (800 yen/ a round) and a Children's Play Area.

How to get Kirishima

Kirishima is approximately 1–2 hours drive from Kagoshima city, 45 minute drive from Kagoshima Airport

Access to the trailheads at Ebino Kogen (えびの高原) is harder, and your own car will come in handy. Bus schedules change rapidly, but as of 2009, the two options are:

- From Kirishima Jingu, there are two buses on Sat/Sun only (and daily in May) to Ebino Kogen, taking about 1 hour (¥740). Departures are at 8 and 10:20 AM, returning at 1 and 3:30 PM; check with the Kirishima Tourism Office (tel. 0995-57-1588) [2] for updates.
- From Miyazaki's Miyakoh City bus terminal (宮交シティ), Miyazaki Kotsu [3] operates one bus on Sat/Sun (dep 8:41) plus one on Sun only (dep 10:21) that goes directly to Ebino Kogen via Kobayashi. 2.5 hours, ¥2800, April-late Nov only.

Kirishima Royal Hotel

Kirishima Takachiho

Watch Ebino Kogen small towns in Kirishima Video here