Mt Miyanoura &
Mt Nagata

Mt Miyanoura (Japanese: 宮之浦岳) is a hyakumeizan* that rises at the center of Yakushima as the highest peak in Kyushu, a broad, weather‑shaped summit with stunning rock formations. It's a great dome of granite worn by millennia of rain, wind and cloud. The mountain sits within a massif of high ridges and deep valleys, a landscape where old-growth forests, mossed boulders, and exposed highlands blend into one of Japan’s most atmospheric mountain environments. Despite its remote island location, this is a peak that most serious hikers in Japan seek to climb.

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The traverse from Yodogo is the most popular way to experience this world, and is the approach I used. Beginning at the Yodogo trailhead on the island’s southeastern flank, the route enters cool, mist‑laden forest almost immediately. Yakusugi cedars rise from the slopes as the trail follows a gentle ridge toward the high plateau. The climb is steady rather than steep, passing through zones of rhododendron, dwarf bamboo, and granite outcrops that appear suddenly between the trees. As the ridge rises, the forest thins and the landscape opens into Yakushima’s characteristic high moor with rolling granite, wind‑shaped shrubs, and wide views toward the island’s interior. Yakushima is famous for its heavy rainfall, but I was lucky enough to have a clear day, albeit very windy.

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The trail rises to the ridge, then continues across long, undulating ridges toward Miyanoura. The scenery shifts constantly, but is marked by massive granite slabs and spectacular views over the ocean. The final approach to Miyanoura is broad and open, a gentle rise over weathered stone that leads to a summit marked by wind and cloud.

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From Miyanoura I made a quick diversion to the beautiful Mt Nagata (永田岳), which would be a notable climb in itself. I then stayed in the campsite and descended the next day through the famous forest of giant yakusugi cedars. It was a truly memorable traverse and one of my favourite hikes in Japan.

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* 100 famous mountains of Japan

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(All information here is based on personal observations and experiences. Check official sources before planning or starting any hikes.)