Kirishima, Kagoshima / 韓国岳

Mt. Karakuni

At 1,700 m the highest peak of the Kirishima volcanoes, with a large crater 900 m across and 300 m deep. Its name is said to come from its fine views, high enough to see as far as neighbouring Korea. Check the latest information on climbing restrictions due to volcanic activity on the Kirishima City website and elsewhere.

Last official check

27 Sept 2026

Traveler reports

Reports open in Phase 2

Next scheduled check

26 Dec 2026

Decide before you go

A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.

Getting there: Car
Admission: Free entry

Before you go

Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.

Opening hours: No time limits (all year; check the latest information on climbing restrictions due to volcanic activity).
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Closed: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Admission: Free.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Getting there: By car about 60 minutes from Mizobe-Kagoshima-Kuko IC to the Karakunidake trailhead.
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Parking: Ebino Eco-Museum Center car park (paid).
Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
Payment: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Accessibility: Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.

Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know

Address: Kirishima, Kagoshima (Japanese address: 鹿児島県霧島市)

Official site: https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/guide/51690

Location

Smaller pins are other spots nearby.

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Nearby spots

Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.

Crowds

Crowd level: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Best time to visit: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Peak time: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Busiest days: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Busiest season: Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
Latest traveler report: None yet

Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).

You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps

Visiting respectfully

RulesCheck the Kirishima City website and elsewhere for the latest trail information, including climbing restrictions due to volcanic activity.Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
RulesKirishimayama (Shinmoedake) is at volcanic alert level 2 (restrictions around the crater), and trails around Shinmoedake are closed (Miyazaki Prefecture notice updated September 24, 2026; checked September 27, 2026).Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site
RulesBecause of the volcanic gas area, the trail from the Mt. Iwo trailhead via Mt. Iwo to Mt. Karakuni is closed. Mt. Karakuni can be climbed by the detour trail from the south side of the Ebino Eco Museum Center car park (Ebino City page; checked September 27, 2026).Checked 27 Sept 2026 on the official site

Verification log

27 Sept 2026First check · Local government · https://www.pref.miyazaki.lg.jp/kiki-kikikanri/bosai/saigai/kirisima.htmlVolcanic alert level and trail restrictions for Kirishimayama read from Miyazaki Prefecture's notice (updated September 24, 2026).
27 Sept 2026First check · Local government · https://www.city.ebino.lg.jp/kanko/area/3/3516.htmlTrail closures around Mt. Iwo and the route to Mt. Karakuni read from Ebino City's page (updated August 12, 2026).
27 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/guide/51690Hours, fees, access, parking, cautions and rules, description and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.