Mt.Mimata

A symbol of Handa Plateau: great for both viewing and hiking

The origin of the name of Mt.Mimata is its image that seems to have three peaks no matter from where it is seen. (another theory exists). In fact, it consists of four peaks. Its massive structure can be seen from Handa Plateau and gives you a strong impression. At the top, you can enjoy walking around two crater remnants called Onabe and Konabe.

Mt.Iozan

An active volcano still smoking vigorously

Mt. Iozan’s eruption in 1995 is still fresh in our memory. In this mountain, sulfur used to be mined in the Edo period until 1972. The area was very lively then. Still now the gas is coming out from its crater, which tells us clearly that Mt. Iozan is surely active.
At present it is prohibited to hike Mt. Iozan.

Mt.Kuju

An iconic mountain with a sharp peak in the Kuju Range

Mt. Kuju, whose elevation is 1786.5m, is an iconice mountain of the Kuju range. Hisaya Fukada, who was a novelist and an alpinist, praised this mountain as “the head of the Kuju mountain family” in his well-known book, “100 Famous Japanese Mountains”.
It was thought to be the highest mountain in the Kuju Range before. It is a popular mountain among hikers, and there are various trails leading to this mountain top.
Every year, a ceremony to announce the start of the hiking season is held alternately in Mt. Kuju and Mt. Taisen.

Mt.Nakadake and Miike pond

Mt. Nakadake, whose elevation is 1,791m, is the highest mountain in mainland Kyushu. Just below its peak lies Miike pond. By the pond there was a rear shrine common to Ikara-ji temple and Mt.Kuju Hokkein temple. The water of the pond was specified as holy water. During the severe winter, the pond water freezes and you can walk on the ice.

Mt.Taisen and Oike pond

The main peak on the east side of the Kuju Range

The grand figure of Mt. Taisen fascinates many hikers. It has the main peak on the east side of the Kuju Range. Its elevation is 1786.3m, as high as Mt.Kuju(1786.5m). It has a pond called “Oike” near the peak. This pond is famous for its beauty in the season of autumn leaves. In autumn, colorful leaves paint the mountain and the pond flaming red.

Mt.Hiji

A field of flowers looking down to Bogatsuru

Mt. Hiji rises on the north-eastern side of Bogatsuru. It gets very crowded with hikers during the season of Miyamakirishima (Rhododendron Kiusianum). From its peak you can look down to Bogatsuru and see Mt. Mimata and Mt. Nakadake in front. This wonderful view makes Mt. Hiji more unique and attractive.

Kurasame Fall

A beautiful water fall where you can enjoy seasonal changes – fresh green, autumn leaves and icicles.

About an hour walk from Yoshibu trailhead takes you to this water fall with a fall of 7m. The water in Bogatsuru goes down through this fall and eventually flows into the Chikugo river. Its surroundings amuse us with fresh green in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn, and crystal icicles in winter. The water fall itself sometimes freezes during severe winter.

Bogatsuru

A marsh described in the song “Bogatsuru Sanka”.

Bogatsuru, whose elevation is 1,200-1,300m, is a basin surrounded by Kuju mountains. As well as Tadewara Marsh, Bogatsuru is a precious marsh registered under the Ramsar Convention. Every spring, local people burn this field in order to maintain this beautiful grassland. A camp site and restrooms are arranged in this marsh. Imagine how wonderful it is to camp in this grassland, watch glowing mountains against the sunset, and observe the night sky sprinkled with stars!

Hokkein Onsen

A highest altitude onsen in Kyushu.

There used to be a temple called “Kujusan-hokkein-hakusui-ji” in southeastern part of Bogatsuru. It was a Tendai Sect temple which was built in 1470. In the Meiji period, a chief of the temple started a hot spring villa in the temple. It has remained as “Hokkein Onsen Sanso” up to today. The hikers heal their tired bodies in its sulfate spring warm water coming directly from a spring source.

A primeval forest in Mt. Kurodake

A unique primeval forest in Kuju where no tree has been cut down ever

This primeval forest is selected as one of “the 100 selected nature in Japan desired to be left in the 21st century ” and “the 100 Selected Great Forest of water source” The name Kurodake (black mountain) comes from its deep and dark image contrasting with the vast and bright grasslands in Kuju. There are trails through the forest, along which you can stroll around Oike pond, Kakushi-mizu (hidden spring water), and Meisui Fall. This place always amuses us with its seasonal changes of beautiful nature.

Nyuzan-kobo

A grave of a Load in the Edo period who loved mountains.

This is a grave of the third Load of Bungo-Oka district, Hisakiyo Nakagawa(1615-1681). Hisakiyo loved Mt. Taisen so much that he sometimes had his servant carry him on the saddle attached to the servant’s back and hiked up there. “Nyuzan-ko” was his nickname meaning “a Count who hikes a mountain”. He was loved by the people in his district as a great load. Now he is sleeping in this grave with his two children who died infancy.

Ikara-ji Temple

A relic which reminds us of an ancient hunting training Yoritomo Minamoto (the founder and the first Shogun of the Kamakura period, lived 1147-1199) would often have

This is a relic of the main temple named “Kuju-san Ikara-ji” in Kuju town, Taketa city. It used to be called “Jison-in”, but Yoritomo Minamoto named this temple “Ikara-ji” in the beginning of the Kamakura period. “Ikara” in Chinese character is 猪鹿狼, each of three character means “a wild boar”, “a deer” and “a wolf”. The name “Ikara-ji” suggests that a hunting training was often held here. Once it was a major base for the practice of Shugendo (Japanese ascetic and shamanistic practice). This historic architecture reminds us of the distant past.