Kaimon-dake (Mount Kaimon)
かいもんだけ
Standing at an elevation of 924 meters, this peak is known as the "Satsuma Fuji" at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula. Located at its foot is the Hirakiki Shrine, one of the first three shrines of the Satsuma Province.
Overview
A stratovolcano standing as an isolated peak on the coast of the southern Satsuma Peninsula at 924 meters. It is a representative local "Fuji" known as "Satsuma Fuji" due to its well-defined conical shape. It features a unique structure with an andesite lava dome atop a basalt stratovolcano. At the foot of the mountain lies Hirakiki Shrine, one of the Satsuma Province Ichinomiya (first three shrines), which enshrines Mount Kaimon as its Shintai-san (sacred body mountain). At the summit sits the Mitake Shrine (the Okumiya or inner shrine of Hirakiki Shrine). It is one of Japan's One Hundred Famous Mountains. The summit can be reached in about 3 hours, offering views of Yakushima and Tanegashima from the top.
Enshrined deity / legend
Dainichi-no-Mikoto (the enshrined deity of Hirakiki Shrine)
Highlights
- ・The well-defined conical shape of "Satsuma Fuji"
- ・Hirakiki Shrine (Satsuma Province Ichinomiya) at the foot of the mountain
- ・Mitake Shrine (Okumiya of Hirakiki Shrine) at the summit
- ・Views of Yakushima and Tanegashima from the summit
Details may change. Please check official sources before visiting.