Volcano-hopping in Kyushu

How Many Volcanoes Can You Conquer by Bike?

Community writer

Kyushu is often overlooked on typical Japan itineraries, and that’s a real shame. This southern island of offers breathtaking cycling adventures, and, for the truly daring, the chance to ride up or around some of Japan’s most impressive active volcanoes! These volcanic landscapes promise dramatic views, challenging climbs, and an experience you’ll never forget. Check out these five epic volcano rides and pick your favorite, or tackle them all for the ultimate volcano-hopping adventure! If you didn’t bring your bike, don’t worry: these volcanoes also offer fantastic hiking opportunities. A GPX is provided for each route and the Points of Interest are indicated with map codes.- Best season: Spring, early summer or autumn; avoid midsummer heat and winter icy roads on the plateaus and mountain passes.

1-Mt. Aso: Too much volcano

Length: 60km/ Elevation: 1,150m/ Level: medium-high

GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/302576950

Cycling up an active volcano? It’s all possible in Kyushu! Don’t worry, the volcanic activity is closely monitored. For Mt. Aso you can check the official website before heading out: https://www.aso-volcano.jp/. The website also provides up-to-date information on whether crater access is currently safe. This ride begins at Aso Station, and from the first pedal stroke, you're in for a scenic treat. The route climbs steadily through a dense forest until you reach the rolling grasslands, where cows graze lazily at roadside. But don’t get too comfortable; soon the trees thin out, and you enter a striking desert-like volcanic zone, with lava fields and a raw, rugged landscape that feels more Mars than Japan.

As you zigzag up the mountain, the reward is near: the Aso crater area. Close to the summit you can take a well deserved break at Kusasenri Coffee Roastery for a coffee or ice cream. Depending on the volcanic activity level, you might be able to get close to one or more of the craters; Nakadake, in particular, is mesmerizing. Peering into it feels like staring into another world (just don’t linger too long; the sulfuric gases are no joke). The concrete bunkers near the viewpoint are a stark reminder that nature here is not just beautiful; it’s also powerful.

The descent is pure bliss: winding down through forested switchbacks with panoramic views of the Aso caldera, which is one of the largest in the world! The ride partly loops the crater rim for more dramatic scenery before rolling back into Aso town. Alternatively you can extend your ride and stay overnight in one of the many hot spring resorts (ryokans), such as Aso Bochu Onsen Yume Hot Spring. Rest stops along the road offer lunches, local snacks, and more often than not, a good soft serve ice cream.

Need a little extra motivation? There’s even a theme song for the volcano: “Too Much Volcano” by Abroad in Japan, which you can blast on repeat as you conquer the climb. Because really, how many rides let you say that you cycled up an active volcano?

Tip: If you’d like to extend your cycling adventure, the Yamanami Highway is a beautiful route that leads all the way to Beppu, a popular coastal hot spring town.

POI’s:

Kusasenri Coffee Roastery: V3P3+CP Aso, Kumamoto
Nakadake Crater: V3MM+XX Aso, Kumamoto

2- Mt. Unzen: Volcano views, sulphur scents & coastal joy

Length:130km/ Eelevation:1,400m/Llevel: medium-high

GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/379378711

This route is perfect for the cooler seasons; what better way to warm up than by soaking in one of the many hot springs (Onsen) scattered across the area? For this ride you’ll cross around Mt. Unzen, an active volcano that leaves little doubt about its status. If you time it right, May brings vibrant azaleas to Mt. Unzen, while autumn cloaks the forest in fiery red colours.

The loop begins in Isahaya, and takes you gradually uphill through scenic terraced fields towards the Shimabara Peninsula. From there, you climb toward Mt. Unzen, passing through small mountain villages such as Unzen village, where the Jigoku fumaroles bubble and hiss as steam and sulphur gases rise straight from the earth, given the streets that nice “rotten egg” aroma. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it...or just pedal on as fast as you can! After a short decent you will pick up the tranquil Green Road, and have a chance to stop at a local shiitake mushroom farm for some of the freshest fungi-based dishes you’ll ever taste. This road winds through forested slopes all the way to the southernmost tip of the peninsula. At the southernmost tip you can even join a dolphin watching tour at Minamishimabara Dolphin Watching. We can really recommend this one, we saw so many dolphins and it was such a joyful experience!

Here, the ocean stretches out before you and the descent along the coast is pure joy. The return ride follows the coastline, with sweeping sea views, peaceful fishing villages. One of these villages Obama (not named after the one you're thinking of), is nestled along the coast. It’s a small hot spring town where the ground seems to breathe; steam rises from every crack and corner and with over 100 hot spring sources, it’s one of the hottest villages in Japan! Locals even use the natural steam to cook food in onsen-powered steam boxes and you can stop for a quick foot bath, or decide to stay the night at a seaside ryokan instead of looping back to Isahaya.

POI’s:

Jigoku fumeroles: P7R7+5C Unzen, Nagasaki
Shiitake (Sun S) farm: M5CP+6J Minamishimabara, Nagasaki
Dolphin watching: J55P+J9 Minamishimabara, Nagasaki
Obama hotspring village footbath: P6G4+Q3 Unzen, Nagasaki

3- Mt. Tara loop: sake, shrines and tides

Length: 100km/ Elevation: 1,100m / Level: medium

GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/341025254

This loop circles the Tara mountain range, as you ride, you’ll be treated to beautiful panoramas over Omura Bay and beyond, while cycling through traditional villages nestled among lush rice paddies. Therefore, this ride offers a perfect blend of mountain views and rural charm.

Starting from Isahaya train station, you will gradually cycle up higher into the hills until you leave the Omura Bay behind and pass over to Ureshino and continue towards the Ariake coastline. A definite highlight along the way is the renowned Kashima sake brewing region, where you can stop to sample some of Japan’s finest sake or pick up a bottle to enjoy after your ride. The local breweries offer a warm welcome and a true taste of traditional craftsmanship. For a convenient introduction, stop by the small sake bar inside Hizen-Kashima Station, where you can sample a variety of local brews from across the region. Take a small detour to visit the beautiful Yūtoku Inari Shrine, with serene wooden buildings and scenic torii gates on the little hillside trail. It’s a peaceful spot to stretch your legs and soak in the atmosphere.

From here the route follows the coastline along the Ariake Sea, where gentle climbs and descents reward you with wide, glittering ocean views. The dramatic tidal shifts here uncover mudflats that are home to unique species like mudskippers and horseshoe crabs. There’s no shortage of shellfish either, many of which end up sizzling on BBQs at cozy restaurants or roadside stalls, perfect if you’re into fresh, flame-grilled seafood. A floating torii gate nearby mysteriously appears to stand either in the water or on land, depending on the tide; an iconic symbol of this dynamic landscape. It gradually loops back towards the starting point of this ride: Isahaya. Plenty of food opportunities here to give you a well deserved meal after your ride.

POI’s:

Hama Sake bar: 34W8+3Q Kashima, Saga
Yūtoku Inari Shrine: 34F5+G5 Kashima, Saga
Floating tori gate of Ōuo Shrine: 25JH+G3 Tara, Saga

4- Sakurajima: ash & forest

Length:50 km/ Elevation: 400m/ Level: easy

GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/379219579

Talking about active volcanoes… Sakurajima is truly in a league of its own. It erupts regularly; when we cycled there a few months ago, there was just a small plume of smoke, but two weeks later it started erupting again, sending black ash drifting over Kagoshima City. The locals are quite used to this; it’s part of daily life here. They quietly collect the ash afterward in special waste bags and wait for the next cleanup.

Nevertheless, Sakurajima offers one of the most dramatic backdrops you can imagine. When it’s quieter (which is actually most of the time), you can cycle around the volcano or continue on to Yakushima Island. A quick ferry ride from Kagoshima (just ten minutes) brings you to Sakurajima.

This loop goes clockwise, following the coastline while you take in the stunning volcanic views along the way. There are plenty of inviting rest stops around the island, including the cozy café and bakery 桜島コーヒー＆ベーカリー (Sakurajima Coffee & Bakery). During the ride, bare volcanic ground and lava fields alternate with pine forests and striking black-sand beaches, creating a unique and almost otherworldly landscape to pedal through. As you make your way around the island, don’t miss the famous buried torii gate, a haunting reminder of past eruptions that left only the top visible above the ash. This gate is the remain of a landmark shrine buried by the massive 1914 eruption.

Later on, you can take a break at the black sand beach (有村海岸), where you are able to dig your own natural hot spring bath at low tide- a truly unforgettable way to treat yourself to a foot soak, or, if you’re feeling ambitious, dig deep enough for a full-body bath. All in all, while cycling this loop, you’re guaranteed constant, awe-inspiring views of the volcano towering above. Smoking or not, it is an endlessly impressive sight.

Tip: From Sakurajima, you can continue your ride along the scenic Kagoshima Bay to Kirishima, using this route as the perfect warm-up for tackling the Shinmoedake climb the next day (ride nr. 5 on this list).

POI’s:

Coffee place (Sakurajima Coffee & Bakery): JMF9+P7 Kagoshima
Buried tori gate: HPM4+RG Kagoshima
Black sand beach (dig your hot spring): HM38+F5 Kagoshima

5- Shinmoedake: up in the smoke

Length: 130 km/ Elevation: 1,700m/ Level: high

GPX: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/379204481

Starting from the hot spring town of Kirishima, this 108 km ride to Miyazaki City offers a spectacular transition from mountain mist to ocean breeze. It requires you to climb quite a bit though, but it’s a steady climb with great rewards along the way.

The first 25 km are gentle, rolling through onsen villages and rice fields, with volcanic peaks looming in the distance. Take a moment to pause and walk up to the colourful Kumaso Cave and/or the picturesque Maruo Falls, perfect spots to catch your breath before continuing your climb.

Soon, the real climb begins: winding switchbacks lead up to the Ebino Plateau at an altitude of 1,200 meters, it has a cool summer climate, making it an ideal retreat in the hotter months. Once at the plateau, you’ll spot the dramatic cone of Shinmoedake, famously featured as the villain’s hideout in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Don't worry, the only secret weapon you'll need here is your lowest gear! This highland stretch feels otherworldly, with tranquil crater lakes and sweeping views of active peaks like Shinmoedake quietly smoking on the horizon, while nearby Mt. Io puffs out fumes.

After you have cooled down at the Ebino plateau, the route rewards you with a long, exhilarating descent through cedar forests and farm fields. The air gets warmer and sweeter as you approach Kobayashi, a town offering plenty of snack spots to refuel before your final stretch towards the coastal plain. Finally, rolling into Miyazaki, you’re greeted by palm trees and the scent of the ocean; a fitting finale after a day that began in the volcanic heart of Kyushu.

POI’s: