Lake Kinrin

Mount Yufu

Mount Yufu is a stratovolcano located on the border of Yufu and Beppu in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. The summit reaches a height of 1,583.3 meters (5,195 feet) and there are two peaks, both popular for hiking; Higashi-mine Peak in the east and Nishi-mine Peak in the west with the latter being one meter taller. The two peaks resemble the humps of a camel overlooking Yufuin City. The paths are clearly marked and it makes for an easy to intermediate hike. It takes about two hours to reach either peak and an hour and a half to descend. Many hikers elect to visit both peaks in one day. There are also sites at the base of the mountain that hand out free trail guides to would-be hikers. Higashi-mine is the easier of the peaks to climb, while there is a level of difficulty in reaching the peak of Nishi-mine and is advised for more experienced hikers. From the saddle between both peaks, it is a fifteen-minute hike to either peak. Autumn seems to be the high-season for hikers to visit and admire the many-colored leaves along the trails as well as the sweeping vista from the summit.