Yadake Hiking Trail
Mt. Yadake (971 m), or “arrow peak,” was named for its shape, which looks like an arrowhead when viewed from the northeast. Yadake is one of the two volcanic mountains that border the valley of Unzen Onsen Town. The short hike to the summit, which is easily accessible from the town, is a perfect opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty.
The trail up Yadake is an excellent introduction to the native plants of Unzen: Japanese cedar and cypress form the canopy of the forest; Japanese holly, wild ginger, miyama-kirishima azaleas, and many other native plants grow below.
Unzen Golf Course—the second oldest in Japan—Mt. Nodake (1,142 m), Mt. Myōken (1,333 m), and Mt. Heisei Shinzan (1,486 m) can be seen from several lookout points along the trail. Farther up, the forest hems in on the trail and sulfurous gases from the hot springs below often blow in on the wind through the trees. At the summit, the view opens out to include Tachibana Bay to the northwest and the Ariake Sea to the east.