13 Mountains in Miyazaki worth your time

The highest peak of the Wanitsuka Mountains, offering panoramic views and serving as a major regional broadcasting hub.

What it is

• The highest peak of the Wanitsuka Mountains standing at 1,118 meters.
• A major television and radio transmission site serving most of Miyazaki's population.
• Part of the Wanitsuka Prefectural Natural Park spanning three different municipalities.
• A site for broadcasting facilities that first opened in 1960.

What to see

• Multiple transmission stations operated by NHK and MRT at the summit.
• Rare mushrooms known as Kirinomitake that grow on the mountain slopes.
• Views from the summit accessible via car or various hiking trails.
• The surrounding natural park area despite the loss of the valley recreation site.

When to go

• Winter months when cold winds from the peak help with local radish pickling.
• Clear days to avoid the heavy annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 millimeters.

Read more about Mount Wanitsuka

A National Natural Monument in Miyazaki featuring unique cuesta topography, tafoni rock formations, and views of the Hyuga Sea.

What it is

• A mountain in southern Miyazaki City located between the Kaeda and Kagami-zu Rivers.
• Designated as a National Natural Monument and a Nature Recreation Forest in 1970.
• Features unique geology composed of sandstone and conglomerate from the Miyazaki Group.
• Characterized by cuesta topography with notably steep slopes on the western side.

What to see

• Distinctive rock formations known as tafoni and the specific Tengu Rock.
• Summit observatory providing panoramic views of the Hyuga Sea.
• Dense evergreen broad-leaved forest covering the summit area.
• Climbing routes that pass through Harinonimi Shrine and the Elephant Graveyard.
• Steep cliffs used frequently by local rock climbers.

When to go

• October 15 marks the anniversary of the climb by scholar Yasui Sokken.

Read more about Mount Boroishi

A composite volcano in the Kirishima Mountains featuring crater lakes, ancient shrines, and hot springs on its forested slopes.

What it is

• A composite volcano located in the northwestern Kirishima Mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Site of the Shiratori Shrine founded by Shoku in the year 959.
• A historic destination visited by the Shimazu clan during the Edo period.
• Volcanic peak featuring both artificial cedar forests and natural beech and fir stands.

What to see

• Byakushi Pond, a crater lake situated on the southern summit of the mountain.
• Rokukannon Miike, a volcanic maar located to the southeast of the peak.
• Shiratori Shrine and Shiratori Hot Spring located on the northern slope.
• Miyama Kirishima azaleas growing in the wild near the mountain summit.
• Natural forests of beech and fir trees along the shrine path.

Read more about Shiratori Yama

A prehistoric stratovolcano featuring a unique summit wetland and diverse forest ecosystems within a protected national park.

What it is

• A stratovolcano in the northern Kirishima Mountains formed approximately 18,000 years ago.
• A designated National Natural Monument and special protection area of Kirishima-Yaku National Park.
• The summit features a circular flat area measuring 400 meters in diameter.
• The site preserves a rare combination of forest, grassland, and wetland environments.

What to see

• Central peat deposits and a wetland hosting sundews and sphagnum moss.
• Coniferous forests growing along the eastern slopes of the mountain.
• Diverse plant life including Japanese red pine, Mizunara oak, and Kyushu azalea.
• The 400-meter wide circular summit plateau and its unique high-altitude vegetation.

Read more about Mount Koshiki

An active volcanic group and national park offering high-altitude hiking, rare endemic plants, and significant historical monuments.

What it is

• An active volcanic group located on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures.
• Part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park and designated as a Geopark in 2010.
• One of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains with activity divided into three historical periods.
• A historic destination visited by Sakamoto Ryoma for his honeymoon in 1866.

What to see

• The highest peak, Karakunidake, which reaches an elevation of 1,700 meters.
• The Ama-no-Sakahoko spear located at the summit of the Takachiho-no-mine peak.
• Endemic plant species including the Nokaidou and Kumoikogomegusa flowers.
• Diverse volcanic landscapes shaped by high annual rainfall exceeding 4,500 millimeters.

Read more about Mount Kirishima

A 1,605-meter peak in a Quasi-National Park featuring three rocky ridges and a famous local legend.

What it is

• A 1,605-meter mountain located on the border of Oita and Miyazaki prefectures.
• One of Japan's 300 Famous Mountains, also known as Shioujimine.
• Part of the Sobo-Katamuki Quasi-National Park and a designated forest ecosystem conservation area.
• The setting for the traditional Yoshisaku Otoshi legend.

What to see

• The summit peak consisting of three distinct rocky ridges.
• Expansive views from the top located within Bungo-ono City.
• Surrounding landscapes of the protected national forest area.

Getting there

• Access the mountain via the Nishiyama forest road trailhead.
• The Sugigakoshi trailhead provides access from the Miyazaki side.

Read more about Mount Katamuki

A 1,405-meter peak in Miyazaki featuring over thirty waterfalls and rare plant species within a designated prefectural natural park.

What it is

• A 1,405-meter mountain formed from the fifteen-million-year-old Osuzu Caldera.
• One of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains located within a designated prefectural natural park.
• A high-rainfall region home to unique plant species like the Kibananotsukinukihototogisu.
• The site of a first-class triangulation point located at the mountain summit.

What to see

• The Osuzu Falls collection consisting of over thirty different waterfalls.
• Yatagi Falls which is recognized as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
• Waterfalls designated as a National Scenic Beauty since 1944.
• A panoramic view from the summit reached by a three-hour hiking trail.

Read more about Mount Osuzu

An active 1,421-meter conical volcano in the Kirishima range known for its massive crater and dramatic geological history.

What it is

• An active conical volcano standing 1,421 meters tall in the Kirishima mountain range.
• A designated National Park special zone since 1934 with recorded activity dating back to 1716.
• A geological site composed of pyroxene andesite and pyroclastic cones.
• A monitored volcanic peak situated between Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures.

What to see

• A massive circular crater measuring 750 meters in width.
• Two distinct rock peaks on the south wall known as Usagi-no-mimi.
• The volcanic ridge extending across the border of Kirishima and Kobayashi cities.
• The site where the Shinmoe-ike crater lake existed before the 2011 eruption.

Read more about Shinmoedake

A sacred 1,574-meter volcano where Japanese mythology says the gods descended, featuring a legendary bronze spear at the summit.

What it is

• A 1,574-meter stratovolcano located on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures.
• The site where Ninigi-no-Mikoto reportedly descended to earth in Japanese mythology.
• Part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park and one of Japan's 200 Famous Mountains.
• A sacred peak associated with the Kirishima Higashi Shrine.

What to see

• The Amano-sakahoko, a sacred bronze spear standing at the mountain summit.
• The Ohachi crater on the west side, which last erupted in 1913.
• A concrete mountain refuge hut located at the very top of the peak.
• Panoramic views from the second highest peak in the Kirishima mountain range.

Read more about Mount Takachiho

A granite peak in Miyazaki featuring unique geological formations and primary forests home to rare Japanese serows.

What it is

• A prominent peak in the Kyushu Mountain Range within a designated quasi-national park.
• The name derives from the weathered granite exposed on the eastern slopes.
• The terrain formed from volcanic activity approximately fourteen million years ago.
• A popular destination for hikers and climbers attracting twenty thousand visitors annually.

What to see

• A large granite ring dike that surrounds the mountain area.
• The summit area composed of hornfels and a distinct granite dome.
• Primary forests that provide a habitat for the Japanese serow.
• A first-class triangulation point located at the mountain summit.

Read more about Mount Ōkue

A steep volcanic peak nicknamed Ikoma Fuji, featuring distinct forest zones and a history as a former shrine site.

What it is

• A volcano located at the northern end of the Kirishima Mountains range.
• Nicknamed Ikoma Fuji because of its steep and symmetrical shape.
• Formed thirty-three thousand years ago as part of the New Kirishima Volcano group.
• The former site of the Kirishima Mine Shrine which stood here until 1873.

What to see

• The Ikoma Plateau extending across the northern foot of the mountain.
• Artificial forests of cedar and cypress covering the lower slopes.
• Natural vegetation including beech and oak trees at higher elevations.
• The steep volcanic profile rising above the surrounding landscape.

Read more about Hinamori Dake

A 251-meter mountain in Nobeoka featuring a heritage night view and the legendary meeting site of Shinto deities.

What it is

• A mountain in southern Nobeoka City standing at 251.3 meters high.
• The legendary meeting place of the deities Ninigi and Konohanasakuya-hime.
• Named after the Atago Shrine located at the base of the mountain.
• A former island that became connected to the mainland through alluvial action.

What to see

• An observation deck situated at an elevation of 200 meters.
• A panoramic view designated as a Japan Night View Heritage site.
• A monument installed in 2008 specifically for hanging padlocks.
• Television and FM radio relay stations located near the summit.

Read more about Atago-yama

A 1,317-meter active lava dome volcano featuring a summit crater and historical sulfur mining ruins in Miyazaki Prefecture.

What it is

• A 1,317-meter high active lava dome volcano located in Ebino City.
• The site of a major eruption in 1768 and a recent eruption in 2018.
• A former commercial sulfur mine that operated until 1955.
• A peak primarily composed of silica-based volcanic rock northwest of Mount Karakuni.

What to see

• A shallow crater measuring 100 meters wide at the summit.
• Stone ruins from former sulfur cooling operations located inside the crater.
• Views of the western slope from Prefectural Road 1.

Read more about Mount Io