#shinmoedake

March 21st 2019

Kagoshima is the Southern most major city of Kyushu. It is Japan’s answer to Naples with its climate and very active volcano, Sakurajima. 

We arrived in Kagoshima on an early morning flight, collected our hire car and headed for the hills. It was a pretty miserable day, weather wise, so we took the opportunity to explore the area around the onsen city of Kirishima. 

The mountains around Kirishima are incredibly dramatic as vents of volcanic steam billow skywards. These surroundings quickly remind you how geothermically active this part of Kyushu is. 

Mount Shinmoedake last had a major eruption in 2011. This eruption was its largest for 50 years, resulting in evacuations and exclusion zones being erected. Driving around the mountains we saw abandoned homes and hotels as parts of the mountain continue to be off limits. 

This included the area right next to the visitor centre. A newish building complete with large car parks, cafes and general infrastructure the roads and some of the hiking paths leading from it have been closed due to its proximity to the crater. 

This was the view from just outside the visitor centre. Don’t worry mum, we heeded the warnig and that is not Shinmodake just one of the smaller peaks - that is steaming!

After collecting maps and making a hiking plan for the next day we went to visit the Kirishima shrine. 

The whole of Mount Kirishima was once considered part of the shrine grounds. Unsurprisingly it has been destroyed several times by volcanic eruptions. 

It was interesting to see that the shrine was so colourful, this seems to be due to the more chinese influence present in the southern parts of Japan. 

Rob’s grandmother is from Kyushu so when we went to pray at the shrine and pay homage to his ancestors it was an interesting ‘coincidence’ that the clouds parted and the sun appeared. 

One of the best things about temple grounds is the abundance of trees and gardens. We found a massive specimen that was 800 years old.

Kirishima had a spectacular location and wonderful surroundings.

The next morning we were up early to hike Onami ike crater lake. Having read the warnings and checking the map we left a hiking contact form in the trail station and made our way up the path. 

We had to climb up the peak then circumnavigate the edge of the crater. Most of the hike was 4 km safely away from Mount Shinmoedake. The closest view we would get was on the eastern edge of the crater which was 3km away.

Very nice shiny/reflective sign and Rob on the trail.

This is one of the best hikes ever as the route is not too challenging but each part of the trail reveals new views from and angles of the dark turquoise waters. 

The view of Shinmoedake was incredible and thrilling to be so close to this smoking, volatile giant. Sorry mum yes that is the highly active volcano. 

To the south we could also make out the the distant peak of Sakurajima, for  that was the location for our next adventure...

After the hike we were tired and a little achey so we made our way to the Sand onsen in Ibusuki watch the video of us getting buried in hot sand below!