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Mountains · Kagoshima, Miyazaki

Kirishima Mountains

霧島山きりしまやまKirishima-yama

A field of volcanoes where Japanese myth places the descent of the gods.

The Kirishima Mountains (霧島山) are a group of more than twenty volcanoes on the border of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, whose highest peak, Karakuni-dake, reaches 1,700 m. Takachiho-no-mine, where the grandson of the sun goddess is said to have descended to earth, and the active Shinmoe-dake make it both a sacred and a closely watched landscape.

Elevation: 1,700 mActive volcanoNational park · 1934Japanese Geopark · 2010100 Famous MountainsSacred site
National park: Kirishima-Kinkōwan National Park

Overview

The Kirishima Mountains stretch about 20 km from the Ebino plateau in the north-west to Takachiho-no-mine in the south-east, a cluster of cones, craters and crater lakes on the border of southern Kyūshū's two prefectures. Karakuni-dake is the highest; from its summit, on clear days, Sakurajima and Kaimon-dake appear to the south.

Kirishima is one of the places where Japanese mythology locates the Tenson kōrin, the descent of Ninigi-no-mikoto, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, to rule the land. Kirishima Jingū at the foot of Takachiho-no-mine commemorates this, and the area was among Japan's first national parks in 1934. Hot springs such as Kirishima Onsen, Ebino Kōgen and Hayashida lie around the massif.

Landscape and formation

The Kirishima volcanoes lie on the rim of the Kakutō caldera and have been active for several hundred thousand years. The group includes stratovolcanoes (Karakuni-dake, Takachiho-no-mine), maars and crater lakes such as Ōnami-ike, and the young, steep crater of Shinmoe-dake.

Historic eruptions have come mainly from Ohachi (next to Takachiho-no-mine), Shinmoe-dake and Iōyama on the Ebino plateau, which erupted in 2018 after a quiet interval of more than 200 years.

Highlights

  • Karakuni-dake

    韓国岳Karakuni-dake

    1,700 m, the highest peak, with a deep crater and views over the whole volcano field.

  • Takachiho-no-mine

    高千穂峰Takachiho-no-mine

    1,574 m, the sacred peak of the heavenly descent, crowned by the Ama-no-sakahoko halberd.

  • Shinmoe-dake

    新燃岳Shinmoe-dake

    The active volcano whose 2011 eruption filled its crater with lava.

  • Ōnami-ike

    大浪池Ōnami-no-ike

    A round crater lake at about 1,400 m, circled by a trail.

  • Ebino plateau

    えびの高原Ebino kōgen

    A highland at about 1,200 m with crater ponds, pampas grass and the main visitor centre.

Ecology

Kirishima's volcanoes carry a sequence from evergreen broadleaf forest to deciduous forest and, near the summits, azalea shrubland. The Miyama-kirishima azalea takes its name from these mountains.

Flora

  • Miyama-kirishima

    ミヤマキリシマmiyama-kirishima

    The azalea named after Kirishima, colouring the upper slopes pink in May and June.

  • Momi and tsuga forest

    モミ・ツガmomi, tsuga

    Fir and hemlock forests around Kirishima Jingū and the Ebino plateau.

  • Nokaidō

    ノカイドウnokaidō

    A wild crabapple found only on the Ebino plateau, a natural monument.

Fauna

  • Sika deer

    ニホンジカnihonjika

    Common around the Ebino plateau, where they are easily seen.

  • Japanese wild boar

    イノシシinoshishi

    Lives in the forests of the lower slopes.

Culture

The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki place the descent of Ninigi-no-mikoto on "Takachiho peak in Himuka", identified with Takachiho-no-mine (the other candidate is Takachiho in northern Miyazaki). Kirishima Jingū, rebuilt several times after eruptions, stands at the south-western foot. Shugendō flourished here in the Middle Ages under the monk Shōkū. In 1866 Sakamoto Ryōma and Oryō visited, and Ryōma's letter describing the climb and the Ama-no-sakahoko is famous.

  • Kirishima Jingū

    霧島神宮Kirishima Jingū

    A vermilion shrine dedicated to Ninigi-no-mikoto, with main buildings from 1715 designated national treasures.

  • Ama-no-sakahoko

    天逆鉾Ama-no-sakahoko

    The inverted halberd on the summit of Takachiho-no-mine.

  • Kirishima Onsen

    霧島温泉郷Kirishima onsenkyō

    A group of hot springs on the Kagoshima side of the massif.

History

  1. Mythical age

    Ninigi-no-mikoto descends to Takachiho peak, according to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.

  2. 1716–1717

    Kyōhō eruptions of Shinmoe-dake devastate the surrounding area.

  3. 1866

    Sakamoto Ryōma and Oryō climb Takachiho-no-mine.

  4. 1934

    Kirishima is designated one of Japan's first national parks.

  5. 2010

    Kirishima Geopark is certified.

  6. 2011

    Major eruption of Shinmoe-dake.

  7. 2018

    Iōyama on the Ebino plateau erupts for the first time in about 250 years.

Through the seasons

Spring

Miyama-kirishima azaleas bloom from May into early June on Takachiho-no-mine and around Ebino.

Summer

Cool on the Ebino plateau; frequent fog and afternoon rain.

Autumn

Colours around Ōnami-ike and Ebino in late October and November, with silver pampas grass.

Winter

Rime ice on the summits after cold snaps; the Ebino ponds may freeze.

Routes and trails

  • Takachihogawara – Takachiho-no-mine

    From the visitor centre at about 970 m over loose scoria along the Ohachi crater rim, about 1.5 hours up; moderate, slippery.

  • Ebino plateau – Karakuni-dake

    From the Ebino visitor centre, about 1.5–2 hours up when the trail is open; moderate.

  • Ōnami-ike circuit

    From the Ōnami-ike trailhead to the crater rim and around the lake, 2–3 hours; moderate.

  • Ebino crater ponds walk

    A loop past the Byakushi, Rokkannon and Fudō ponds, about 1.5 hours; easy.

Practical notes

  • Access to individual peaks changes with volcanic activity; the Japan Meteorological Agency and Kirishima city publish current restrictions.
  • Kirishima-Jingū station is on the JR Nippō Line; buses run to Kirishima Jingū, Takachihogawara and the Ebino plateau.
  • Scoria slopes are slippery; boots with good grip are advisable.

Frequently asked questions

Which Kirishima peaks can be climbed?

Access depends on the activity of individual volcanoes. Takachiho-no-mine from Takachihogawara and, when open, Karakuni-dake from the Ebino plateau are the classic ascents; trails near Shinmoe-dake and Iōyama are frequently closed. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency and the local authorities.

What is the Ama-no-sakahoko?

An ancient bronze halberd planted upside down on the summit of Takachiho-no-mine, associated with the myth of Ninigi-no-mikoto's descent from heaven.

When did Shinmoe-dake erupt?

Shinmoe-dake had a major eruption in 2011, with explosive activity and a lava dome that filled its crater, and further eruptions in 2017 and 2018.

Why is Kirishima linked to Sakamoto Ryōma?

In 1866 Sakamoto Ryōma and his wife Oryō travelled to Kirishima to recover from his wounds – often called Japan's first honeymoon – and climbed Takachiho-no-mine.

Related

Sources

  1. 1.日本の主な山岳標高 (opens in a new tab) — 国土地理院 (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)
  2. 2.霧島錦江湾国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省 (Ministry of the Environment)
  3. 3.火山登山者向けの情報提供ページ（霧島山） (opens in a new tab) — 気象庁 (Japan Meteorological Agency)
  4. 4.日本ジオパークネットワーク (opens in a new tab) — 日本ジオパークネットワーク (Japanese Geoparks Network)

Editorial team · Published: