Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park

Lore & Background

The park was first established on March 16, 1934, as Kirishima-Yaku National Park. On March 16, 2012, Yakushima was split off as a separate national park, and the remaining area was renamed Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park. The park covers 365.86 square kilometres and includes areas such as Mount Kirishima, Ebino-kōgen, Takachiho-kawara, Lake Miike, and Sakura-jima.

The area became famous as Japan's first honeymoon spot because Ryoma Sakamoto took his wife Oryo there. Kirishima was also used as a filming location for the 1967 James Bond movie *You Only Live Twice*. Major scenic spots include the Kirishima area and the Kagoshima Bay area, featuring landmarks like Cape Sata, Mount Kaimon, and Lake Ikeda.

Reader's Guide

Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park holds significance as one of Japan's earliest national parks, originally established in 1934. Its renaming in 2012 reflects the administrative separation of Yakushima, but the park remains a key natural preserve in Kyūshū. The park's active volcanoes, such as Sakura-jima and Mount Karakuni, along with volcanic lakes and onsen, make it a notable geological and recreational site. Its cultural importance is highlighted by its status as Japan's first honeymoon destination, associated with the historical figure Ryoma Sakamoto. Additionally, its use as a filming location for a James Bond film adds to its international recognition. The park spans multiple municipalities, including Kagoshima, Kirishima, and Miyakonojō, and serves as a protected area for both natural landscapes and tourism.