Mt. Karakuni (韓国岳) is part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park land and is located on the border of Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures.
In the winter, the naked branches of trees along the route are covered with thick ice and resemble pieces of ocean coral (albeit white).
From the Ebinokogen Daiichi Parking Lot, it took about two hours to reach the mountain top, hiking at a moderate pace with several stops. The path was rocky and uphill pretty much the entire time. Since it was winter, the ground was icy in the morning but became muddy by the afternoon descent.
There is a rest station along the trail to stop and shield from the cold.
During the trek, I saw fantastic views of Onami Lake and its bright blue waters, Mt. Takachiho, a steam-spewing volcanic crater, and other peaks in the distance. It was an amazing winter climb!
The peak at 1,700 meters was frigid and blustery. Even with gloves, the tips of my fingers froze. But hooray, I made it up the tallest mountain in the Kirishima Mountain Range!
The best part was being able to enjoy a steaming cup of hot ramen at the top.
Next to the parking lot, there is a hot foot bath, a small shop, and bathrooms. Parking costs 500 yen.
See a video of the full hike here!
Find Mt. Karakuni and other unique outdoor Kyushu spots in my photo book!
This book is a visual introduction to Japan’s Kyushu region. The over 60 pages of full-color photos and text depict various spots for sightseeing, enjoying nature, and experiencing seasonal festivals. Enjoy perusing the pages and discovering Kyushu’s less-traveled treasures! Ships internationally.
Interested in more outdoor Japan trips? Check out these posts.