Located in Kirishima Kinkowan National Park, Ebino Plateau is a must-see for nature lovers and hikers. Regardless of the season, visitors will have plenty to enjoy as they trek through the volcanic terrain.
At an altitude of about 1,200 meters, the Ebino Plateau sits among many volcanoes that make up the Kirishima mountain range. To the southeast lies Mount Karakuni which stands as the highest peak in the area at about 1,700m while smaller, but no less spectacular summits abound nearby, including Mounts Koshiki (1,301m) and Shiratori (1,363m). In addition to its famous natural beauty, the Ebino Plateau is also known for its distinctive red hue which is a result of sulfur dioxide emanating from Mount Io and the intensity of ultraviolet rays that hit the region. Due to millennia of volcanic activity, the plateau has developed a diverse ecosystem that continues to amaze visitors across all seasons.
Through the Seasons
Photo by: PIXTA/ AYA Rhododendron kiusianum mark the start of summer.
As the temperatures begin to warm up after the chilly winter months, fragrant witch hazel and Japanese witch hazel begin to bloom across the mountainside. The greenery of the area transforms into a sea of yellow as these plants take over the terrain. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the woodpeckers and small birds that make their songs and sounds known to the rest of the plateau.
At the beginning of the summer, Rhododendron kiusianum, also known as Kyushu azalea and the quintessential flower of the Kirishima Mountains continues the trend of pink from the spring. The high heat of the Kyushu summer recedes in the middle of the season on the plateau as a cool, refreshing breeze sweeps through the area making for comfortable hikes.
The changing colors of autumn leaves make the plateau a delight for people seeking seasonal reds and oranges. Make a trek to the crater lakes that dot Ebino for the clear azure waters reflecting the colorful foliage above.
Photo by: PIXTA/ TK_C An icy escape.
The kaleidoscope of colors that characterize spring, summer and autumn stand in stark contrast to the monochrome that winter brings. But, don’t be fooled into thinking that nothing takes the place of the natural beauty of previous seasons. Ice rime, finely crystalized water droplets, cover the plateau and help transform the area into an icy wonderland.
