The Kyushu Expedition (trip)
The Kyushu Expedition
- Kagoshima Chuo Railway Station
- Active & Adventure
| from $3,240* per person | 8 Days | April, October, November |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Walk Japan Limited | 12 people max | |
As always, this tour is the product of extensive research by Walk Japan to bring you the very best in walking, accommodation, and local Japanese food. Your tour leader is a highly experienced walker, with the Japanese language fluency and local knowledge necessary to ensure you have the best possible holiday experience.
Yakushima
Our base for the first two nights of the tour will be Kirishima, a compact volcanic area of spectacular natural beauty, associated with some of Japan's earliest creation myths. A circuit of Lake Onami is followed by a traverse of the Kirishima highlands, before returning to our lodgings, a superb hotel with Onsen attached. Day 3 sees us transfer to Ibusuki, a hot spring resort celebrated in Japan for its excellent inns and hotels. Our day's walk will be an ascent of the conical Kaimon-Dake, with breath-taking views over the bay of Kagoshima and the outlying islands.
Days 4 and 5 will be spent exploring the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Yaku-shima Island. On arrival, we head for Shiratani Unsuiko, an impressive area of ancient cedar trees and fast flowing streams. The following day, weather permitting, we will ascend Miya-no-Ura, Kyushu's highest peak at 1935m, before making the return trek to our lodgings for a well-earned rest.
After returning to Kagoshima via high speed jetfoil on the morning of Day 6, we make our way to Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan where, ably assisted by cable car, we walk a circuit of the craters. After spending the night at one of Aso's many excellent hot springs, we use the scenic Yamanami Highway to make our way to our final destination, Yufuin, via Mt Kuju, another active volcano and the highest point in mainland Kyushu.
In summary, the Kyushu expedition covers a good deal of ground in a week, and would be suited to someone of a reasonable level of fitness, interested in the spectacular scenery that Southern Japan has to offer. The walking is described in more detail in the Itinerary, but bear in mind that lighter / non-walking alternatives can almost always be arranged in cases of inclement weather or fatigue!
Loading map, please wait...
Locations visited/nearby
Japan
Itinerary
1. Day 1The tour meets at Kagoshima Chuo Railway Station at 3pm before traveling by the express train to Kirishima Jingu shrine. We'll be met at the station and taken to our lodgings nearby, where after the evening's hot spring bathing, a full tour briefing will be held over a delicious evening meal of locally sourced produce. We'll be staying here for two nights, so you don't need to worry about your luggage - just get your walking gear ready for the morning!
Dinner provided.
2. Day 2
We travel by local bus to the start of today's walk, departing Kirishima Jingu just after 8am, but don't forget to collect your 'bento' packed lunch before leaving our lodgings. We alight at the start of the Lake Onami path and 40 minutes later arrive at the crater of the lake itself. Lying 1293 metres above sea level, it's the largest crater lake at this altitude in Japan, and a good point to stop for a breather and take in the views. According to legend, a dragon resides in the lake, and at one point took the form of a beautiful maiden, living amongst local villagers for a while before returning to its home beneath the waters.
We continue round the lake and onwards to the top of Karakuni Dake, the highest point in Kirishima, at 1700 metres. Clear weather should provide good views of Mount Takachiho and the rest of our day's walking. A long descent on good paths takes us through spring flowers and woodlands before a short climb to Shinmoedake, a scene of increased volcanic activity since last erupting in 2008. We descend to Takachiho-gawara in time for the last local bus down to Kirishima Jingu and our lodgings. Total walking time, 6 hours.Total ascent approx. 900m.
Light walking/non walking alternative: Kirishima Jingu Shrine and the excellent National Park visitors centre at Tachiho-gawara.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.
3. Day 3
An early start today, as we travel by road back towards Kagoshima and beyond to Ibusuki, where as our luggage is transported to tonight's lodgings, we head for Kaimon Dake, known as the "Fuji of Satsuma" (Satsuma being the original name of the Kagoshima area) due to its perfect conical shape. Even those who elect not to proceed to the summit at 924m will be rewarded with great views back towards Kagoshima and Kirishima, as well as southwards to the island of Yakushima, our destination tomorrow.
Covered with wildflowers during the warmer months, Kaimon Dake also has a historical significance in that for many members of the Special Attack, or 'Kamikaze' corps, charged with crash-landing their explosives-laden planes on US battleships during the final stages of the Pacific War, the mountain was the last view of their homeland allowed to them as they embarked on their missions. There may be time for a visit to the acclaimed Chiran Kamikaze and Peace Memorial Museum before returning to our hot spring lodgings in nearby Ibusuki, famed for its upmarket Ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn. Total walking time, 4.5 hours. Total vertical ascent approx. 800m.
Light walking/non-walking alternative: An afternoon in Chiran, taking in the Kamikaze and Peace Memorial Museum, followed by an exploration of the nearby Samurai quarter, with its traditional houses and intricately designed gardens. The surrounding tea fields provides a delightful backdrop to this interesting town.
Breakfast and Dinner provided.
4. Day 4
It's a short walk from our lodgings in Ibusuki to the port, where we catch an early morning high-speed jetfoil to Yakushima island. On arrival we send our main luggage to our lodgings, where we will be staying for the next two nights. We then head straight for Shiratani Unsuikyo, a spectacular gorge that provides the backdrop for today's walking. The gorge was formed approximately 14 million years ago, when massive seismic activity lifted the granite ocean bedrock to a height of almost 2000 metres. This will be our first taste of Yakushima, a truly spectacular natural environment with climatic zones ranging from sub-tropical around the coast, to frigid temperatures atop the island's highest peaks. Not surprisingly a huge variety of flora and fauna find homes here.
While our tour has been timed to coincide with one of the drier periods of the year, it would be unwise to forget your waterproofs, as Yakushima is officially one of the wettest places on earth, with upwards of 4000mm of rainfall being recorded annually. None of this should impair our enjoyment of the Shiratani Gorge area however, as we walk through the primeval forest amongst moss-covered giant cedar trees. We are guaranteed close encounters with the resident small deer and monkeys, and fans of Hayao Miyazki's animations will be able to see the inspiration for the scenery in Princess Mononoke, one of his most celebrated films. Weather and energy permitting, we'll take the trail as far as Taikoiwa, a giant viewing rock offering excellent views of the island's interior and high peaks, before descending to our lodgings for the evening.
Light walking/non-walking alternative: The Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge area offers a number of much shorter, well signposted walks on good paths. Taking an earlier local bus back to Miya-no-Ura could leave time to visit the Environmental Culture Village Centre and its excellent interactive display on the history of Yaku-shima.
Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner provided.Total walking time, 5 hours. Total ascent approx. 600m.
5. Day 5
Today's plans will be largely weather dependent, but a fine day will see us attempting an ascent of Miya-no-Ura Dake, a granite peak and Kyushu's highest point at 1938m. This will necessitate an early start, but keep your eyes open as we take the winding mountain road up from the port of Anbo - it's worth it for the views back towards the coast. The trail to the top of Mt Miya-no-Ura passes though a variety of cedar forest, high moorland and grassland, but is surprisingly well maintained, and should we run short of time, an alternative peak, Mt Kuromi (1831m) can be tackled to ensure we stay on schedule. Total walking time, 6-8 hours. Total ascent approx. 700m.
Light walking/non-walking alternative: Depending on the weather and cloud level, a number of options are possible, including an ascent of Mt Mocchomu-dake (970m) via the Senpironotaki Falls, or a short walk to Okonotaki Falls, the tallest in South Kyushu and listed as one of Japan's 100 best.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner provided.
6. Day 6
An easier day after our previous exertions, but pack an overnight bag to take with you today, because our main luggage will be sent on ahead of us to Yufuin. The morning will be spent travelling, first back to Kagoshima on the high speed jetfoil, and then via Japan's newest Shinkansen bullet train line and local transport to the giant Aso caldera. Here, after lunch at a local restaurant, a short taxi ride will take us to the start of our walk.
Today's focus is Mt Aso, Japan's largest active volcano and to make things easier, we'll use a cable car to transport us quickly to the top before walking a circuit of the craters of Naka-dake, although those with the energy might wish to make a short detour to take in the view from Taka-dake, Aso's highest point at 1592m. The smell of sulphur is ever-present, and on some days, access to Naka-dake's active crater and volcanic crater lake is restricted. Our circuit finishes at the main visitors centre, and another cable car takes us back down the mountain towards our lodgings for the evening, an excellent local inn with hot spring baths.
Total walking time, 2.5 hours. Total ascent approx. 250m.
Breakfast and Dinner provided.
7. Day 7
Today we take the Yamanami Mountain Highway to our destination of Yufuin, but stop along the way for our final climb - Mt Kuju (1791m) is mainland Kyushu's highest point, but a good path to the summit starting from the highest point on the highway will enable a quick ascent before continuing on our way. The views from the summit of the Aso caldera and the whole of the Kuju range are superb, and a fitting end to the our week's walking.
We spend the night in an excellent Ryokan in Yufuin, with Onsen thermal baths and enjoy a celebratory dinner together, reviewing the highlights of the tour.Total walking time, 4.5 hours. Total ascent approx. 600m.
Light walking/non-walking alternative: Continue directly on to Yufuin, and spend the rest of the day wandering about this picturesque resort town. Pleasant cafés, local craft shops, art galleries and onsen, thermal hot springs, provide for a leisurely time .
Breakfast & dinner provided.
8. Day 8
The tour ends after a Japanese breakfast. Travel to Fukuoka Airport by direct express coach from Yufuin, or onward travel elsewhere in Japan by air and rail is easily accomplished. An early morning express coach arrives at Fukuoka Airport 8:10am. Please note, however, this will mean that there is no time for breakfast at our inn.
Breakfast provided.
More information from Walk Japan Limited:
- Email this trip page to a friend
-
Comments from Facebook