Nakayama Senkyou 中山仙境

One of the best ways to enjoy the landscape of the Kunisaki Peninsula and learn a bit about the Rokugo Manzan Buddhist Culture, in a short but intense and thrilling round hike. This is an old Shugendō Pilgrim trail, hence the challenging aspects. There’s a taster of scrambling and chains, a slightly dizzying stone bridge (not quite as terrifying as nearby Mumyōbashi though!), a big cave with a shrine inside, and a surprising variety of atmospheres on a 2-hour hike. Visit Reisen-ji afterwards, a Buddhist temple founded in 718. Ebisu onsen, a few minutes drive up the road, is a traditional onsen very popular with locals and hikers.

Where: Ebisu, Bungo-Takada, Oita prefecture

Altitude: Highest point around 300m, car park around 100m.

Duration: The sign in the carpark says 2 hours for round-trip. Leave extra time for enjoying the view, photos, hesitation at crossing the bridge!

Car park: https://goo.gl/maps/QTcRjtfikxUJjqfW 7The trail starts behind the toilets in the car park. After crossing the river, you will reach a split in the forest, take the right-hand path (not the rope straight up). If the car park is full, you should be able to park across the road.

Onsen: Ebisudani Onsen. Traditional wooden bath house. Can be very popular with locals and hikers in peak hiking season. Indoor and outdoor baths. Cold bath, bubble bath, sauna, outdoor bath with view of the mountains and maple trees. Shampoo and body wash provided. https://goo.gl/maps/5nsrZPWtes4DL78K8

More info in Japanese here: https://yamap.com/activities/2663059

If you liked this, try Taharayama in the south-western part of the peninsula next…