Get ready for the best and worst 12 hours of your life! Mt. Miyanoura (1,936M) is the highest mountain in the Kyushu area (southern Japan) and is located on the island of Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture.
It is part of the area which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with unique plant and wildlife that make for a scenic and exciting hike. The hike is about 6 hours up and 5-6 hours down -- our hike was on the slow side, as we took many breaks. But, I felt exhausted yet accomplished at the end. If you are not hiking pro's, it is doable, but I recommend absolutely hiring a guide, as it is easy to get lost and/or injured if you're not careful. There are many options for guide services in English as well as Japanese. Here are some scenes from the trek.
