Visit Kyushu
The Official Kyushu Travel Guide

Surrounded by the Kirishima Mountains, Ebino Plateau (also called Ebino Kogen) is a beautiful area of hiking trails and lakes within Kirishima Yaku National Park. It's the south-western part of Miyazaki, near the border with Kagoshima. At an altitude of 2,450 meters, it has a cool summer climate, making it an ideal retreat in the hotter months. In winter, it is a good place for winter sports. There are several hiking courses, starting from the visitor center. The easiest is around Rokkannonmi Pond, taking about two hours. Other courses take you along volcanic peaks. You can hike to the top of Mt. Karakuni in about two hours and on a clear day, you can see all the way to South Korea. The literal meaning of the Japanese name for Ebino Plateau is "shrimp highlands". At the end of August, the pampas grass on the plateau changes color to a deep pink, resembling a sea full of shrimp. You can combine a visit to Ebino Plateau with nearby Kirishima Jingu Shrine, famed for its beautiful vermilion red structures and ornate carvings.