Mount Takachiho, Stratovolcano in Kirishima-Yaku National Park, Japan.

Mount Takachiho is a stratovolcano that rises to 1,573 meters with steep sides descending into a wide crater. The Ohachi Crater spans about 500 meters across and drops about 200 meters deep.

Mount Takachiho is a Pleistocene andesite stratovolcano whose summit forms a plugged lava dome. Its Ohachi crater, about 550 m across and 200 m deep, erupted as recently as 1913. Kirishima Shrine is said to have been founded between Takachiho and Ohachi in the reign of Emperor Kinmei (540–571), then moved downslope after eruptions burned it.

At the summit stands the bronze Ama-no-Sakahoko, a spear-like pole said to have been planted by Ninigi-no-Mikoto when he descended to rule Ashihara-no-Nakatsukuni; it is revered as the go-shintai of Kirishima Higashi Shrine. Kirishima Shrine is said to have begun in the 6th century between this peak and Ohachi, later moved downhill after eruptions. Sakamoto Ryoma visited with his wife Oryo in 1866 and wrote to his sister Otome that he pulled out the pole.

The hiking trail from Takachihogawara Visitor Center stretches about 5.5 kilometers to the summit and takes roughly three and a half hours. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are important since the path is steep and conditions at the top can be quite windy.

The summit's bronze Amenosakahoko spear is said to have been planted by Ninigi-no-Mikoto at his descent; Sakamoto Ryoma wrote to his sister Otome that he pulled it out during an 1866 visit with his wife Oryo, often called Japan's first honeymoon. The summit shelter began in 1924 as a mountain hut kept by the first mine-mori guide, Ishibashi Kunitsugu, and was moved to the summit in 1934.