Kirishima Area霧島エリア
Kagoshima鹿児島県
Colonies of Miyama-Kirishima azalea in full bloom.
The majestic crater lake at the Kirishima mountain range is one of the highest crater lakes above sea level.
Kirishima city is located on the northeastern part of Kagoshima prefecture and it is the entrance to the Kirishima district of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park, which encompasses the Kirishima volcanic chain, Mount Sakurajima and Yakushima Islands.
The red-painted main building of Kirishima shrine, designated as an “Important Cultural Property”, is the place where music and festivals are held as offering for the gods, including the “Kagura” dance, the Minami-Kyushu Kagura festival in summer, the “Tenson Korin Gojinkasai” festival, a fantastic fire festival in fall, and the performance of the Kumen-daiko drums in winter. “Kagura” is a traditional performing art featuring dance and music that dates back to ancient Japan. Music, songs and dances are performed wholeheartedly to please the gods.
There are ten crater lakes in the Kirishima mountain range, located at 1,239m above sea level - the highest elevation of its kind throughout Japan. The beautiful Miyama-Kirishima azalea bloom in early summer. The spectacular panoramic view from the top is breathtaking. Hot spring villages such as Myoban, Yunotani and Shin-yu are found on the southwestern slope of the Kirishima mountain range. Accommodation facilities are available visitors who wish to stay overnight, but it is also possible to make a day trip just to enjoy the hot spring.
Directions
From Tokyo :
[Air] 1h 50 min from Haneda to Kagoshima Airport.
[Rail] 5h from Tokyo to Hakata Station by JR Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Line. 1h 36 min from Hakata to Shin-Yatsushiro Station by JR Kagoshima Line (limited express), and 35 min to Kagoshima Central Station by JR Tsubame Shinkansen Line. 50 min from Kagoshima Central Station to Kirishima-jingu Station by JR Nippo Line (limited express).
From Osaka :
[Air] 1h 10 min from Itami to Kagoshima Airport.
[Rail] 2h 25 min from Shin-Osaka to Hakata Station by Shinkansen.
