Hiking in Kagoshima: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Kagoshima offers a plethora of hiking opportunities for those willing to come and explore the southerly Japanese prefecture. Outside of the aforementioned locations, there are plenty of other incredible sights to visit and trails to hike.

Kirishima-Kinkowan and Unzen-Amakusa National Parks both boast excellent hiking opportunities. Located in the north of the prefecture, Krishima-Kinkowan boasts thick forests and some rugged mountain terrain. Hiking to the top of Mount Karakuni and Mt Takachiho are among the favourite activities.

Situated on the western coastline, Unzen-Amakusa also offers some incredible mountain terrain and the chance to hike around an active volcano. Heading up to Mt Unzen is an especially popular activity in the park.

Outside of these national parks, there are various other incredible hiking spots as well. Amami Guntō and Nichinan Kaigan are two quasi-national parks that offer plenty of excellent hiking and scenery too. Akune, Bōnoma, Fukiagehama, Imutaike, Koshikijima, Ōsumi Nanbu, Sendaigawa Ryūiki, Takakumayama, and Tokara Rettō are all natural parks in the prefecture that live up to their designations.

Stunning scenery

Kagoshima is easily among Japan’s most beautiful regions. Nearly 10 percent of the entire prefecture is made up of natural and national parks. Thick green forests, a spectacular coastline and some low-lying mountains provide the area with great walking terrain and stunning views at every turn. The various islands that compose the prefecture are also especially beautiful.

Yakushima Island

A little bit less than four hours to the south of Kagoshima sits the pristine island of Yakushima. The small and circular island is also a hiker’s paradise offering the opportunity to hike through incredible old-growth forest. Shrouded in mist, you will feel like you’re on another planet as you hike through the ancient trees. Coastal walks and hikes up to the island’s highest peak also present immaculate views.

Climb Sakurajima

The prefecture’s semi-active volcano is among the most popular hiking destinations in the prefecture. Boasting three summits, the tallest of which is 1,117 meters high, volcanic ash continues to spew out of its caldera to this day. While exercising a bit of caution, not much compares to climbing up to one of its summits and enjoying the incredible views of the bay and the rest of the prefecture as well.

During the summer, average daily temperatures in Kagoshima range from 20 ºC to 28 ºC. During the autumn and spring, average temperatures are closer to 15 ºC. Summer is the wettest season of the year, but the area does not receive a lot of rainfall.

Any trip to Kagoshima begins with a flight into its regional airport (KOJ), which can be reached directly from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul and Shanghai. Many guides will opt to meet you here, but the area is also well-connected by bus, rail and ferry.

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