Kuju-san (久住山, 1,787 m) is the principal named peak of the Kuju range (九重山) in northern Oita Prefecture — the mountain Kyuya Fukada chose for his Nihon Hyakumeizan. It sits among a cluster of summits on a broad volcanic plateau, with emerald crater ponds, an active steaming volcano, and one of Kyushu's most famous early-summer azalea displays. Note that Kuju-san itself is not the highest point of the range: that is neighbouring Nakadake (中岳, 1,791 m), the highest peak of mainland Kyushu. The two are often conflated, but they are separate summits a short ridge apart.
Why Fukada Chose Kuju-san
Kuju-san appears in Kyuya Fukada's Nihon Hyakumeizan. Fukada arranged the hundred roughly from north to south, so the book's order is geographic and is not a ranking of quality or height.
The Kuju range is the kind of mountain Fukada returned to often: not a single sharp summit but a broad highland of linked volcanic peaks, with open walking and views in every direction. The range's character — emerald crater ponds, steaming fumaroles, and grassland that turns pink with azalea in early summer — is what gives it a place among the hundred.
The Mountain
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Named peak | Kuju-san (久住山), 1,787 m (5,863 ft) |
| Highest peak in range | Nakadake (中岳), 1,791 m — mainland Kyushu high point |
| Range | Kuju range (九重山), a cluster of volcanic summits |
| Prefecture | Oita |
| Character | Active volcanic highland; crater ponds; grassland |
| Hyakumeizan | Included (book order is roughly north-to-south, not a ranking) |
| Typical season | April – November (winter is serious) |
For English readers, the name distinction matters: the Hyakumeizan listing is the range 九重山 (Kuju-san), while 久住山 (1,787 m) is its principal named peak and 中岳 (1,791 m) is the actual high point.
The Routes
Makinoto-toge → Kuju-san (out-and-back)
Grade: Moderate
- Distance: ~9.4 km round trip from Makinoto-toge Pass (1,330 m)
- Elevation gain: ~690 m
- Time: ~4 hours
- Character: The standard route, walked out and back the same way — not a loop. From the pass the trail climbs over Kutsukake-yama (沓掛山), passes the Ougigahana junction (扇ヶ鼻分岐) and Sensuigaura, then reaches Kuju-bunare (久住分れ), where there is an emergency hut and a toilet. From there it is a short climb to the Kuju-san summit. The route passes Mi-ike / O-ike (御池), an emerald-green crater pond that freezes solid in winter.
Adding Nakadake (中岳)
Grade: Moderate
From Kuju-bunare you can extend over Tenguga-jo (天狗ヶ城) to Nakadake (中岳, 1,791 m), the highest peak of mainland Kyushu, before returning the same way. Figures for the combined out-and-back are roughly ~10.6 km, ~829 m of ascent, and ~4.5 hours.
Chojabaru (長者原) approach
Grade: Moderate to long
Chojabaru, on the north foot (北麓) of the range along the Yamanami Highway, is the gateway to the Tadewara marsh, the Bogatsuru highland basin, and Hokkein Onsen. It is a longer approach than Makinoto and suits hikers planning a multi-day trip into the heart of the range rather than a quick summit day.
Getting There
Public transport:
The usual rail-and-bus gateways for the Makinoto-toge and Chojabaru trailheads are Bungo-Nakamura, Yufuin, Beppu and Aso stations. The Kyushu Odan (Cross-Kyushu) Bus runs from Beppu (about ¥2,800 to Makinoto-toge, ¥2,500 to Chojabaru) and from Yufuin (about ¥1,340 / ¥1,180). Note that the Makinoto–Chojabaru segment is partly suspended from December 1 to the end of February. Local Kokonoe community and Kamenoi buses also serve the trailheads from Bungo-Nakamura and Yufuin. Check current timetables before travelling.
By car:
From the Oita Expressway, the interchanges used for the Yamanami Highway approach to the Kuju trailheads are Kokonoe IC (九重IC) and Yufuin IC. From there the Yamanami Highway leads to the Makinoto-toge area. The Yamanami Highway itself, connecting Beppu to Aso across the Kuju highlands, is one of Japan's finest scenic drives.
Mountain Huts
The natural base in the heart of the range is Hokkein Onsen (法華院温泉山荘) at the Bogatsuru highland basin — a long-running mountain hut with its own hot spring, and the obvious place to stay for a multi-day trip. Tadewara marsh and Bogatsuru together form a Ramsar-listed wetland (registered 2005). On the standard day route, Kuju-bunare (久住分れ) has an emergency shelter and a toilet.
Flora and Wildlife
Miyama-kirishima azalea: In early-to-mid June the range — especially Hiijidake (平治岳) and Daisenzan / Daisen-san (大船山) — turns vivid pink with miyama-kirishima (ミヤマキリシマ). The azalea bloom at Kuju is one of Kyushu's most famous natural spectacles.
Wetland: The Tadewara marsh and Bogatsuru basin, a Ramsar wetland on the north side of the range, hold notable marshland flora and birdlife.
Bears: Kuju is on the island of Kyushu, where the Asiatic black bear (本州・四国・九州のツキノワグマ) has historically been near-extinct or absent; bear encounters are not a meaningful concern here, unlike in Honshu or Hokkaido. (Hokkaido is the only range of the Hokkaido brown bear, where bear spray is considered essential — that does not apply to Kuju.)
Seasonal Guide
April – May: Spring walking as snow clears from the plateau.
Early-to-mid June: Miyama-kirishima azalea bloom — the range's signature season and one of Kyushu's greatest natural sights.
July – August: Peak hiking season, with clear highland views.
September – October: Autumn colour on the surrounding slopes and the clearest summit views.
November – March: Genuinely snowy and icy. Mi-ike freezes solid, and traction (chains or crampons) is commonly needed. Treat winter conditions as serious, not occasional.
Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Check the volcano first. Kuju is an active volcano — a phreatic eruption occurred at Hossho-san (Iwoyama) in 1995. Confirm the JMA Kuju (くじゅう山) volcanic alert level before you climb, and verify whether any fumarole areas are restricted.
It's an out-and-back, not a loop. The standard Makinoto-toge route returns the way it came past Kutsukake-yama. Plan time and water accordingly rather than expecting a circuit.
The Yamanami Highway is part of the experience. Driving the Yamanami Highway across the Kuju highlands — volcanic cones, open grassland, sweeping views — makes the approach as scenic as the climb.
Winter is real winter. If you come November–March, carry traction and treat the conditions seriously; this is not a year-round casual walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kuju-san be done as a day hike?
Yes. The standard Makinoto-toge route to Kuju-san is an out-and-back of about 9.4 km with roughly 690 m of ascent, around 4 hours of walking. Adding Nakadake makes it about 10.6 km, 829 m of ascent, and 4.5 hours — still a day hike for fit walkers.
Do I need a car, or can I reach the trailheads by public transport?
You can reach them without a car. The Kyushu Odan (Cross-Kyushu) Bus serves the Makinoto-toge and Chojabaru trailheads from Beppu and Yufuin, and local Kokonoe and Kamenoi buses run from Bungo-Nakamura and Yufuin. Note that the Makinoto–Chojabaru bus segment is partly suspended from December 1 to the end of February, so check current timetables.
When is the best time to climb, and when does the snow clear?
Early-to-mid June is the signature window for the miyama-kirishima azalea bloom. Snow clears from the plateau through April and May, and July–October gives clear highland views and autumn colour. From November to March the range is genuinely snowy and icy, with Mi-ike freezing solid and traction commonly needed.
Is Kuju-san the highest peak in the range?
No. Kuju-san (1,787 m) is the principal named peak, but neighbouring Nakadake (1,791 m) is the actual high point of the range and of mainland Kyushu. They are separate summits a short ridge apart, and you can extend from Kuju-bunare over Tenguga-jo to reach Nakadake.
Do I need to worry about bears at Kuju?
No. Kuju is on Kyushu, where the Asiatic black bear has historically been near-extinct or absent, so bear encounters are not a meaningful concern. Bear spray, essential in Hokkaido, does not apply here.
This guide is part of the Japan's 100 Famous Mountains: Complete Hyakumeizan Guide series.
