Mt. Io in Kirishima

Barren volcanic landscape

Tristan Scholze Apr 09, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The barren peak of Mt. Io, littered with sulfur</p>

<p>Looking up the slopes of Mt. Io, covered in fluffy susuki, from the trailhead on Rt. 1</p>

<p>View across the grassy side of Mt. Io over the pines to the flat-topped Mt. Koshiki</p>

<p>Kyushu azaleas (Rhododendron kiusianum), known as miyama kirishima here, cover the Ebino Plateau in May; but I found a few flowers in October</p>

<p>You have nice views of Fudo Pond as you hike up</p>

<p>A seedling reaches for sunlight; there are plenty of little things to notice here</p>

<p>Mt. Karakuni is often covered in fog or low clouds</p>

<p>A tribute to the spirits who dwell here</p>

<p>You can see the Ebino Eco Museum Center and Rt. 1</p>

<p>This little fern found a home in the rocky volcanic landscape</p>

<p>Easy to walk past scrub like this without noticing, but I thought it was amazing how it lives in this barren place</p>

<p>A dark Mt. Karakuni looms high above the peak of Mt. Io</p>

<p>You'll see sulfur, the yellow-green rocks, all around the top of this volcano</p>

<p>Learn about the geology of Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English</p>

<p>The crater area used to be mined for sulfur</p>

The 1,310 m (4,298 ft) Mt. Io (pronounced ee-oh) is only slightly higher than the Ebino Plateau and located along Rt. 1 next to Fudo Pond, making it an easy hike to the top. In autumn, its slopes are covered in beautiful tufts of susuki and a few scattered Kyushu azalea bushes. Remnants of this volcano’s abundant sulfur, which used to be mined, are sprinkled across the rocky peak. After a look at the crater area, continue on a longer hike, past scenic fields to Mt. Karakuni, more peaks and more extensive treks (map).

硫黄山—iou-yama—Mt. Io

Tristan Scholze @tristan.scholze

I'm also known as Faer Out. I love learning about people and nature. I've traveled around the world and throughout Japan, and I hope to continue seeing and experiencing the wonder of this planet as long as I live.Based in Japan for nearly two decades, I'm a Japan Travel expert for Fukuoka and Sag...