Miyazaki to Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan

Saturday 1st June 2024
Well we are wearing down, we are exhausted, running on low battery power and almost ready to come home for a rest, but not quite. Just a couple more adventures to be had first.

Today we got going about 9am, forgot we had to get petrol before we started and struggled to get lunch. We had to try 2 x 7-elevens before we had out lunch sorted. Anyway, today we have a 1.5hr hour drive to the start of our hike. It was only 73km, but travel is so slow here by car even when you pay to go on the expressway.

We arrived at the Kirishima National Park, unfortunately the 12km one way hike from the Visitor Centre to Ebino Plateau was off limits due to volcano activity at Mt Shinmoedake. Instead we chose to climb up the Takachihonomine Ridge to the summit. This is a short but steep hike to the summit via the ridge of the Ohachi crater. The scenery and views were amazing, the colours magnificent. In the end we were more than happy with our days hike. It was 5.84 km return, with an ascent and descent of 593 m and we took a total time of 3hr 14mins. I had a few chats with some Japanese along the trail from Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Miyazaki.

Takachihonomine ridge (1574m) is the place where the gods descended to the earth in the legend of the “Tenson Korin” (Descent of the Heavenly Child). Whether it is due to its rich history or its distinct appearance, the Takachihonomine ridge is undoubtedly the main peak of the Kirishima Mountain Range. The trail begins near the Takachihogawara Visitor Center and goes through a Torii gate (Japanese shrine gate) past the Furumiya-Ato (site of old Kirishima Shrine) and the Ohachi (or Mihachi) volcano before taking one atop the Takachihonomine ridge. The trail becomes rather steep as it emerges from the forested area. As one ascends the brown slope, one will eventually reach Ohachi Peak’s crater, otherwise known as Uma-no-Se, or The Horse- back. The trail on The Horseback is narrow and one should exercise caution duringstrongwindsorthickfog. FromtheHorseback,thetraildescendsinto The Saddleback before continuing up to the summit of the Takachihonomine Ridge. On the summit, one can find the Ama-no-Sakahoko from the Tenson Korin legend. There are many steep slopes on the way to the summit of Takachihonomine Ridge, so please exercise caution as the trail may be slippery.

: As we leave Miyazaki this morning, what a beautiful view across to the mountains..

: ..across all the rice paddies..

: ..as we enter the Kirishima National Park..

: ..and the amazing Takachihogawara Visitor Centre where we watched a short video with sub-titles about the volcano we were about to climb..

: ..as we walk through the large torii gate at the start of the walk..

: ..our guide marker for today, we are so lucky they look after us with a little English..

: ..especially as we haven’t seen any English speaking people for a while. As we head up the trail..

: ..as always, I am a little slower up the hill as David looks back towards me..

: ..the signs of volcanic rock start to appear on the trail..

: ..the view in the distance, the islands look like they are floating in the clouds..

: ..no English for us this time..

: ..thank goodness for google translate..

: ..as the trail gets rockier and much steeper..

: ..there are quite a number of people on the trail as it is Saturday. The gradient getting steeper..

: ..a little rest to enjoy the view..

: ..many Japanese on their way down already, most with hiking poles..

: ..I had a chat with this guy on his way down, most were from Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Satsuma..

: ..so quite nearby, so more like locals..

: ..it is amazing how plant life grows in such a rocky environment. As David waits patiently as I have my chat..

: ..and such a vibrant pink..

: ..I wish I had my poles today..

: ..David having a rest as he waits for me..

: ..the way up is getting a little trickier ..

: ..but the views are worth it..

: ..a little photo opportunity from a friendly man who spoke a little English..

: ..as we walk along the Takachihonomine ridge, what an amazing view inside Ohachi Peak’s crater..

: ..as we continue walking along its rim..

: ..and marvel at the slope of the climb yet to come..

: ..we are headed to the top of the peak in the distance..

: ..what amazing colours and beauty..

: ..another shrine in the saddleback..

: ..as we head on our way up, it is a few hundred metre elevation to go as we look back to the Ohachi Peak’s crater..

: ..it is slow going with some very rickety steps to assist a little..

: ..they are not looking too stable here. A universal sign to warn us of the dangers..

: ..another shrine at the summit..

: ..as we reach the summit and you can see the Ama-no-Sakahoko from the Tenson Korin legend..

: ..looking back to the mountainous slopes..

: ..and out the other side of the Mt Takachohonomine Summit

: ..you can see a couple of crater lakes in the distance..

: ..what an amazing albeit hazy view..

: ..on the way back down again, a man worships at the shrine..

: ..as I look back up to the summit, Davis is the blue dot about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom of the picture..

: ..I loved this section..

: ..one last look inside the Ohachi Peak’s crater..

: ..standing on the ridge with Mt Takachohonomine in the background. What a place..

: ..David on the ridge looking into the crater..

: ..some fellow hikers walking along the ridge in the distance, such beauty..

: ..David standing at the top of the ridge with his hands raised..

: ..as he gets closer along the ridge..

: ..one last walk along the ridge before we descend further to..

: ..the Furumiya-Ato (site of old Kirishima Shrine)..

: ..volcanic eruption shelter. what an amazing experience to have climbed here today..

: ..as we drive through Ebino, the road went around the mountainside this time instead of through it..

: ..we arrive to our hotel and the height restriction for the carpark was 155mm..

: ..it was a very tight squeeze, and done without you once you put the car inside, it is all automated..

: ..we had another night of ramen inside a shopping mall restaurant..

: ..this one was called Moyashi Ramen, it was really yummy with bean shoots, black garlic and gyoshi (Pork dumpling)

: ..Miyazaki to Kumamoto 199km with a volcano climb along the way..

: ..Our big climb today, 5.84km with 593m ascent and descent.