Kuju Mountains, Volcanic mountain range in Aso-Kuju National Park, Japan
Kuju Mountains form a volcanic complex in Aso-Kuju National Park in Oita Prefecture, with Mount Nakadake rising to 1,791 meters as its highest peak. The range is built from andesite, a dark volcanic rock created through repeated eruptions over time.
The range formed roughly 200,000 years ago through volcanic eruptions that gradually built the peaks we see today. Most recent activity occurred between 1995 and 1996, showing that volcanic processes have not completely stopped.
The range appears in Japan's list of 100 famous mountains and draws hikers seeking natural landscapes. Visitors come here to walk among volcanic peaks and experience the scale of the terrain.
Access to hiking routes is easiest from Makinoto Pass or Chojabaru Visitor Center, with most paths taking four to six hours to complete. Bring sturdy footwear and water since trails cross open terrain where weather can change quickly at higher elevations.
Mount Hossho continuously releases steam from its slopes, revealing active geothermal heat beneath the surface. This visible vapor makes the continuing volcanic nature of the range obvious to anyone hiking near this peak.
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