Mountains






 Mount Shijiki-san

Located at the southernmost tip of Hirado island, mount Shijiki-san rises 347 metres above sea level. It is an old mountain made of a volcanic rock called andesite. It is well known for its easily recognisable pointy top from which one has a fantastic view over Hirado and the surrounding islands. It is registered as an important part of Saikai National Park and provides the best hiking in Hirado.

Mount Shijiki-san also boasts the oldest history of Hirado as it used to be a holy mountain. The four shrines that were collectively known as Shijiki-jinja Shrine were originally built in AD 212 and were registered on a national list of shrines (called the Jinmyocho) in the `Engishiki`, scrolls with codes and procedures on national rites and prayers. One of the four shrines (Kami-no-miya Shrine) was located at the top of the mountain, now marked with a small monument. Another shrine (Naka-no-miya Shrine), is located halfway up the hill and can still be seen today. The current building was built in 1961.

From the top one can see Uku Island, the Ojika Islands and the Goto Island group further away. Many people climb the mountain for the great views of these and other islands, many of which are part of the Saikai National Park. You can start at the Amida-ji Temple or drive halfway up the hill to the shrine from where it is about a 50 minute walk to the summit. Along the way there are many rocky areas but there are ropes most of the way so it is not too hard for intermediate climbers.
  • Location： Hirado island, Noko Town 251
  • Elevation： 347ｍ
  • Parking： 10 car parking spaces
  • Contact： Hirado Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Telephone: 0950-22-4111
Mount Yasuman-dake

With a height of 535 metres, Mount Yasuman-dake is the highest mountain in Hirado. The whole mountain is covered with thick forest from which many clear mountain streams spring that eventually form the small Kôzone river. At the west side of the mountain there’s a cliff from which you have a great view of the surroundings though caution is advised.

Mount Yasuman-dake used to be a sacred mountain as it was revered as the mountain that gave protection to Hirado. It used to be called `Yasumi-no-dake`, coming from the Japanese character `to rest`, and may refer to the spirits that rested here. Shirayama-jinja Shrine is still located on the mountain. From the parking lot, a walking path leads up to the top which takes approximately one hour.
  • Location： access from the top of the pass between Yamanaka Village and Himosashi Town.
  • Elevation： 514ｍ
  • Parking： 15 car parking spaces
  • Contact： Hirado Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Telephone: 0950-22-4111
Mount yasuman-dake
Tsubute Rock

Tsubute-iwa Rock

Tsubute-iwa Rock is located on the west coast of the southern part of Hirado Island and dominates the area. The top of the mountain consists of sedimentary rock and with its ragged rock shapes looks like a pile of thrown stones from which it got its name.

There are many rare species on the mountain such as Wild Daisy, Itorakkyou (an indigenous flower only found in Hirado, depicted on the left), Chinese Juniper and others. These plants used to be well sought after and have therefore become really scarce. They are now designated as national protected plants and the whole Tsubute-iwa Rock region has been registered as a special protected area of Saikai National Park, therefore strict rules are applied that forbid anyone to take even a single plant out the area. There is no special path up the mountain so the mountain is hard to climb and navigate.

  • Location： Hirado Island, Osashi Town
  • Elevation： 287ｍ
  • Parking： not available
  • Contact： Hirado Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Telephone: 0950-22-4111
Mount Shiratake

Mount Shiratake is located in the very north of Hirado Island. It is 250 metres high and its name means `white mountain`. The top is a great spot for viewing the islands around the northern part of Hirado Island plus further away islands such as Iki and Tsushima. The view from the rest area is simply superb.

In 1904 at the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War there was a radiotelegraphy station located on the mountain. It was here were the first message came in that a Russian ship had been sighted in the Sea of Japan, signaling the start of the subsequent navy battle.

It is approximately a three minute walk from the parking lot to the top of the mountain.
  • Location： Hirado Island, Okubo Town
  • Elevation： 250ｍ
  • Parking： 20 car park spaces
  • Contact： Hirado Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Telephone: 0950-22-4111
Mount Shiratake





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