What Is Kirishima? Volcanoes, Takachiho-no-Mine and Kirishima-jingu Shrine
This guide is for visitors who want to know what Kirishima is and why people visit its shrine and mountains. It uses the English pages of the National Parks of Japan site, which is produced by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) with contents provided by the Ministry of the Environment. All pages were read on 2026-10-04.
The pages describe myths and legends, which this guide repeats as the sources tell them, not as established history.
The short answer
Kirishima is the mountainous northern end of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park in southern Kyushu. The park site says the Kirishima area has "more than 20 volcanoes, both large and small", as well as crater lakes, hot springs and lava plateaus. It calls the region mountainous, misty and home to countless legends.
The highest peak
The park site says Mount Karakuni, at 1,700 metres, is the park's highest peak. On clear days its summit gives views of Kinkowan Bay, Mount Sakurajima and Mount Shinmoe, an active volcano. The site lists the view of Mount Shinmoe from Mount Karakuni among its "Don't Miss" items for the park.
Takachiho-no-Mine
Mount Takachiho-no-Mine, in the southern part of Kirishima, is described as a revered site in Japanese mythology. The park site says it is believed to be where Ninigi no Mikoto, grandson of the sun deity Amaterasu, descended to Earth and established Japan's imperial bloodline. One page says he thrust a spear into the peak and that the spear remains at the summit.
Kirishima-jingu Shrine
Ninigi is enshrined in the crimson-red Kirishima-jingu Shrine at the foot of the mountain. The park site says the original shrine was built in 540, was destroyed several times by eruptions and fires, and was rebuilt in a different location in 1715. The current shrine is surrounded by ancient cedar trees up to eight centuries old.
The shrine page says that over 100 rituals are carried out each year, that drum festivals often take place and that the biggest is held on New Year's Day. Entry and parking are free of charge.
The old shrine site
You can visit the original shrine's ruins at Furumiya Ato, where ceremonies such as taiko drumming, kagura dance and fire festivals are still held, according to the park site. The Takachihogawara Visitor Center is a base for visiting these ruins. It has an exhibition space with relief models, photographs and rock specimens, and it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Seven mysteries
The park's story page says the large shrine and its grounds are famous for their seven mysteries, which visitors are invited to seek out as they explore. It also mentions nature trails to peaceful forest glades. The pages do not list the seven mysteries, so ask at the information center in the village.
A crater lake legend
Onamiike Crater Lake sits at the base of the mountain range. The park site says you can walk around it in less than 90 minutes. According to local folklore, the lake takes its name from a girl named Onami, who was the human incarnation of a dragon that lived in its depths.
Hot springs in the foothills
The park's story page says that in the mountains, mists mix with rising steam from bubbling hot springs. You can taste local food steamed by volcanic jets and stay at secluded mountain hot spring retreats, which the page calls Japan's original nature resorts. The Kirishima Onsen center says nine hot springs are spread across the southern foothills.
Japan's first honeymoon route
The story page also says the landscape is known as Japan's first honeymoon route. The park itself is described as one of Japan's first national parks. The park's main page gives its establishment date as March 16, 1934 and its size as 36,624 hectares.
What we could not verify, and therefore left out
- Whether climbing Mount Takachiho-no-Mine is open on a given day. This depends on volcanic alert levels, which the visitor center reports.
- The list of the seven mysteries and the dates of each festival.
- The historical evidence behind the myths, which the pages do not discuss.
Related guides
- How Do You Get to Kirishima and Get Around from Kagoshima?
- What Is Ebino Highland Like Through the Year? Crater Lakes, Azaleas and Hoarfrost
Sources
All URLs retrieved 2026-10-04.
- Explore Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park (National Parks of Japan) — (volcanoes, Mount Karakuni, shrine history, Onamiike)
- Kirishima-jingu Shrine (National Parks of Japan) — (rituals, drum festivals, free entry)
- Takachihogawara Visitor Center (National Parks of Japan) — (spear at the summit, exhibits, hours)
- Kirishima-Kinkowan Story (National Parks of Japan) — (seven mysteries, forest trails)