Kirishima

Kirishima is an active volcanic mountain range bordering Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures. It  was the first to be designated as a national park in 1934, and is home to a number of breathtaking  volcanic lakes and hot springs. Great hiking through scenic mountains and pristine red pine forests  followed by a soak in an onsen bath––what more could you ask for from a holiday spot?

Kirishima’s name is wonderfully evocative, translating to ‘Island of Mist.’ Its mountains play a significant role in Japanese mythology: this was supposedly the site where the god Ninigi-no-Mikoto, grandson of the sun goddess Amaterasu, was sent to rule over the earth. As such,  Kirishima is often referred to as ‘the land where gods once descended.’

Ebino Kogen and Kirishima Onsen are the main hot spring towns in the  Kirishima area. The former is a fairly small village in a highland area surrounded by mountains and volcanic lakes, while the latter is a more developed hot spring town. Indeed, with plumes of steam shooting out  from vents, walking around town is pretty dramatic!

Though Kirishima is gorgeous year-round, it is particularly good for hiking and trekking in spring when the azaleas are in bloom, and in autumn when the mountains are blanketed in crimson foliage.