The Kirishima Mountain Range

The Kirishima range is a cluster of more than 20 volcanoes stretching across Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures within Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park. The terrain varies from sharp peaks to plateaus and gorges, with diverse plant life shaped by differences in elevation and post-volcanic soil. Ohataike Pond, a crater lake at 1,234 meters formed between 6,300 and 11,000 years ago, reflects the surrounding tree line in its deep blue water. Mt. Ohatayama's slopes bloom with Miyama Kirishima azaleas in early summer, and from the higher summits the smoke plumes of active craters are visible across the range.