As autumn deepens in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, the mountains take on color and the autumn foliage season arrives.
Centered on the Kirishima mountain range, the city has foliage spots set among diverse nature and culture, and many visitors come every year to enjoy the colorful autumn scenery. This guide introduces the city's representative autumn foliage spots.
Current Foliage Conditions
For the latest foliage conditions, see the Kirishima City website: https://www.city-kirishima.jp/kirikan/kanko/shizen/kouyou.html
Onami-ike (大浪池)
Typical peak: Mid-November
Onami-ike, photographed November 15, 2025
Mt. Karakuni (韓国岳) seen from Onami-ike, photographed November 15, 2025
Onami-ike sits at an elevation of 1,411 m. At the summit is a crater lake with a circumference of 1.9 km and a depth of 11 m, and the area around the lake turns vivid red and yellow.
It is a popular mountain that can be climbed relatively easily, and the summit can be reached in about 40 minutes from the Onami-ike trailhead.
A walking path circles the lake in about 1 hour 30 minutes. The contrast between the autumn leaves and the lake surface is especially beautiful, and the spot is popular as one of Kirishima's representative autumn views.
Address: Makizono-cho Takachiho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市牧園町高千穂)
Access:
- By car: about 45 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC (溝辺鹿児島空港IC) on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus (霧島神宮アクセスバス) for about 30 minutes, transfer at Maruo (丸尾), then take the Kirishima Renzan Shuyu Bus (霧島連山周遊バス) for about 20 minutes and get off at Onami-ike Trailhead (大浪池登山口)
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel (霧島いわさきホテル) for about 30 minutes, transfer at Maruo, then take the Kirishima Renzan Shuyu Bus for about 20 minutes and get off at Onami-ike Trailhead
Bus websites:
Note: Every year during the peak foliage period, more cars park on the street near the Onami-ike trailhead. Because this obstructs other traffic, visitors are asked to use the Ebino Kogen (えびの高原) parking lot or to take public transportation (the Kirishima Renzan Shuyu Bus).
Around Kirishima Onsen Village (霧島温泉郷), Maruo
Typical peak: Mid-November
Maruo Falls (丸尾滝) in a typical year
Autumn foliage in a typical year
Kirishima Onsen Village, where hot springs well up from the foot of the Kirishima mountains, is made up of a wide variety of hot springs, all located at elevations between 600 m and 850 m. The waters are effective for various symptoms.
At dusk, the steam and the autumn leaves are wrapped in soft light, creating a fantastical atmosphere. The area is well suited to a "Kirishima-style autumn trip," as visitors can enjoy autumn foliage viewing and hot springs at the same time.
Address: Makizono-cho Takachiho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市牧園町高千穂)
Access:
- By car: about 30 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 30 minutes and get off at Maruo
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel for about 30 minutes and get off at Maruo
Bus website: Kirishima Jingu Access Bus
Around Takachiho-gawara (高千穂河原)
Typical peak: Early November
Takachiho Peak (高千穂峰) seen from Takachiho-gawara, photographed November 15, 2025
Photographed November 15, 2025
Takachiho-gawara is a riverbed area on the western foot of Takachiho Peak, a sacred mountain known as the site of the Tenson Korin (the descent of the heavenly grandchild). In the foliage season, Takachiho Peak and the autumn leaves stand out against the autumn sky.
The site of the old Kirishima Jingu shrine (古宮址) is located here, and it is also the main trailhead for climbing Takachiho Peak.
The Takachiho Visitor Center (高千穂ビジターセンター), where visitors can learn about Kirishima's nature and culture, is located alongside, so the spot is suited not only to strolling but also to learning more about Kirishima's appeal.
Address: Taguchi Takachiho-gawara, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市田口高千穂河原)
Access:
- By car: about 50 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 30 minutes, transfer at Maruo, then take the Kirishima Renzan Shuyu Bus for about 60 minutes and get off at Takachiho-gawara
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel for about 30 minutes, transfer at Maruo, then take the Kirishima Renzan Shuyu Bus for about 60 minutes and get off at Takachiho-gawara
Bus websites:
Kirishima Jingu (霧島神宮)
Typical peak: Late November
Photographed December 6, 2024
Photographed December 6, 2024
Kirishima Jingu enshrines Ninigi-no-Mikoto, the central figure of the Tenson Korin myth, as its main deity, and is said to have been founded in the 6th century. In autumn, when the surrounding trees change color, the shrine takes on an even more mysterious atmosphere.
Fantastical foliage scenery continues from the approach to the grounds. The harmony between the vermilion-lacquered shrine buildings and the deep red autumn leaves is hard to find elsewhere.
It is a spot to stroll slowly and enjoy the feel of autumn in the quiet.
Address: 2608-5 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市霧島田口2608-5)
Access:
- By car: about 40 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 1 hour
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel for about 15 minutes and get off at Kirishima Jingu; the shrine is right there
Bus website: Kirishima Jingu Access Bus
Along National Route 223 (Near Kirishima Jingu)
Typical peak: Late November
Photographed December 6, 2024
Photographed December 6, 2024
Located 500 m toward the Miyazaki side from the Great Torii (大鳥居) of Kirishima Jingu, the tunnel of autumn leaves along National Route 223, which was selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Roads (日本の道百選), is a spectacular sight. The trees coloring along the road are beautiful, and many people visit every year as a drive course.
Address: Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市霧島田口)
Access:
- By car: about 40 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 1 hour
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel for about 15 minutes and get off at Kirishima Jingu; the road is right there
Bus website: Kirishima Jingu Access Bus
Note: Every year during the peak foliage period, more cars park around Kirishima Jingu in places where parking is not intended. Visitors are asked to use nearby lots such as the tourist information center parking lot and the temporary parking lots around Kirishima Jingu.
Shinwa-no-Sato Park (神話の里公園)
Typical peak: Late November
Autumn foliage in a typical year
Autumn foliage in a typical year
Shinwa-no-Sato Park offers close views of the Kirishima mountains and panoramic views of Kinko Bay (錦江湾) and Sakurajima. From its observation deck with a good view, visitors can look out over the autumn-colored mountain ranges.
The park is also widely known as Michi-no-Eki Kirishima (道の駅霧島), and has facilities such as a restaurant and a specialty products corner. It is a spot that families and couples can enjoy as well.
Address: 2583-22 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市霧島田口2583-22)
Access:
- By car: about 40 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus:
- From Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 40 minutes and get off at the Shinwa-no-Sato Iriguchi (神話の里入口) bus stop; the park is right there
- From JR Nippo Main Line Kirishima Jingu Station, take a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel for about 20 minutes and get off at Shinwa-no-Sato Iriguchi; the park is right there
Bus website: Kirishima Jingu Access Bus
Shiohitashi Onsen Ryoma Park (塩浸温泉龍馬公園)
Typical peak: Mid-November
Photographed December 7, 2024
Ryoma and Oryo Honeymoon Hot Spring Cure Monument (龍馬・お龍新婚湯治碑)
Shiohitashi Onsen is a hot spring area known as the place Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryo visited on their honeymoon. Today it has a Ryoma museum (龍馬資料館), a day-trip bathing facility, and a foot bath that can be used free of charge.
This quiet riverside hot spring area offers gentle, warm autumn scenery and is an ideal place to ease the fatigue of travel.
The Ryoma and Oryo Honeymoon Hot Spring Cure Monument on the grounds is also recommended as a photo spot.
Address: 3606 Makizono-cho Shukukubota, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県霧島市牧園町宿窪田3606)
Access:
- By car: about 15 minutes from the Mizobe-Kagoshima Airport IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- By bus: from Kagoshima Airport, take the Kirishima Jingu Access Bus for about 10 minutes
Bus website: Kirishima Jingu Access Bus
Autumn in Kirishima
Autumn in Kirishima brings together clear air, hot springs, and vivid autumn foliage, making the city an excellent sightseeing destination at this time of year. Visitors are invited to enjoy the colorful autumn of Kirishima City.
